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.

Good or Excellent Response

Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
80% of patients achieved a good (>50%) or excellent (>75%) improvement in scarring

Scar Height Reduction

Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Average 72% reduction in scarring

Scar Volume Reduction

Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Average 78% reduction in scarring

Mean improvement in VSS total score

Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Average 80% reduction in scarring

Mean improvement in VSS pigmentation score

Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Average 83% reduction in scarring

Mean improvement in VSS height score

Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Average 97% reduction in scarring

Mean improvement in VSS pliability score

Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Average 98% reduction in scarring

Mean improvement in VSS vascularity score

Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
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

Medium-High
Medium-high side effects and adverse reactions

Reviews

View All
0.0
0 Reviews

Relevant Forum(s):