Cryotherapy with Intralesional Corticosteroids

Compare To Other Treatments

What Is It?

Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy hypertrophic (raised) scars by either applying liquid nitrogen on the outside of the scar or by injecting liquid nitrogen directly into the scar.

Next, corticosteroids are injected into the scar to reduce the size and thickness of the scar further.

This procedure is normally repeated multiple times (3 or more) in 4-week intervals. You should see gradual results with each session. After your last session, your scar(s) should continue to improve. However, in some cases, scars may grow back after treatment.

Results

Results
Strength of Evidence: Moderate
80% of patients achieved a good (>50%) or excellent (>75%) improvement in scarring
Expand for result statistics
Good or Excellent Response
80% of patients achieved a good (>50%) or excellent (>75%) improvement in scarring
Scar Height Reduction
Average 72% reduction in scarring
Scar Volume Reduction
Average 78% reduction in scarring
Mean improvement in VSS total score
Average 80% reduction in scarring
Mean improvement in VSS pigmentation score
Average 83% reduction in scarring
Mean improvement in VSS height score
Average 97% reduction in scarring
Mean improvement in VSS pliability score
Average 98% reduction in scarring
Mean improvement in VSS vascularity score
Average 69% reduction in scarring
▸ Based on These Clinical Studies & Trials
▾ Based on These Clinical Studies & Trials
  1. Cohen, A. J. et al. Combination cryotherapy and intralesional corticosteroid versus steroid monotherapy in the treatment of keloids. J of Cosmetic Dermatology 22, 932–936 (2023).
  2. Zouboulis, C. C. & Zouridaki, E. Cryosurgery as a single agent and in combination with intralesional corticosteroids is effective on young, small keloids and induces characteristic histological and immunohistological changes: a prospective randomized trial. Dermatology 237, 396–406 (2021).
  3. Fuenmayor, P., Quiñonez, H., Salas, R. & Pujadas, Z. Outcomes of surgical excision and high-dose-rate brachytherapy for earlobe keloids. World J Plast Surg 10, 78–84 (2021).
  4. Saki, N., Mokhtari, R. & Nozari, F. Comparing the efficacy of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide with verapamil in treatment of keloids: a randomized controlled trial. Dermatol Pract Concept 9, 4–9 (2019).
  5. Schwaiger, H., Reinholz, M., Poetschke, J., Ruzicka, T. & Gauglitz, G. Evaluating the therapeutic success of keloids treated with cryotherapy and intralesional corticosteroids using noninvasive objective measures. Dermatol Surg 44, 635–644 (2018).
  6. Poetschke, J., Reinholz, M., Schwaiger, H., Epple, A. & Gauglitz, G. G. DLQI and POSAS scores in keloid patients. Facial Plast Surg 32, 289–295 (2016).
  7. Meymandi, S. S., Moosazadeh, M. & Rezazadeh, A. paring two methods of cryotherapy and intense pulsed light with triamcinolone injection in the treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars: a clinical trial. Osong Public Health Res Perspect 7, 313–319 (2016).
  8. Behera, B., Kumari, R., Thappa, D. M. & Malathi, M. Therapeutic efficacy of intralesional steroid with carbon dioxide laser versus with cryotherapy in treatment of keloids: a randomized controlled trial. Dermatol Surg 42, 1188–1198 (2016).
  9. Jannati, P., Aref, S., Jannati, A. A., Jannati, F. & Moravvej, H. Comparison of therapeutic response of keloids to cryotherapy plus intralesional triamcinolone acetonide or verapamil hydrochloride. J Skin Stem Cell 2, (2015).
  10. Weshahy, A. H. & Abdel Hay, R. Intralesional cryosurgery and intralesional steroid injection: a good combination therapy for treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars. Dermatol Ther 25, 273–276 (2012).
  11. Anchlia, S., Rao, K. S., Bonanthaya, K. & Vohra, D. Keloidoscope: in search for the ideal treatment of keloids. J Maxillofac Oral Surg 8, 366–370 (2009).
  12. Sharma, S., Bhanot, A., Kaur, A. & Dewan, S. P. Role of liquid nitrogen alone compared with combination of liquid nitrogen and intralesional triamcinolone acetonide in treatment of small keloids. J Cosmet Dermatol 6, 258–261 (2007).
  13. Yosipovitch, G., Widijanti Sugeng, M., Goon, A., Chan, Y. H. & Goh, C. L. A comparison of the combined effect of cryotherapy and corticosteroid injections versus corticosteroids and cryotherapy alone on keloids: a controlled study. J Dermatolog Treat 12, 87–90 (2001).
  14. Lahiri, A., Tsiliboti, D. & Gaze, N. R. Experience with difficult keloids. Br J Plast Surg 54, 633–635 (2001).

Side Effects

Side Effects
Medium-high side effects and adverse reactions

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