Cryotherapy for Rosacea?

[Guide]

 

There are now spa treatments using cryotherapy. Will this work for rosacea? Cryotherapy has been used to treat phenotype 5 (scroll below for more information). Will it improve any other phenotype? Time will tell since without a doubt we will be receiving reports whether any other phenotype is improved with cryotherapy. 

There is a history of using cryotherapy for rosacea going back to an article published in 1948: 

"Despite the fact that cold may be an aetiological factor in rosacea (Haxthausen, 1930, Lortat- Jacob and Solente, 1930, Sequeira, Ingram, and Brain, 1947), cryotherapy is the most valuable ancillary method of treatment......In U.S.A., Bluefarb (I945) and Hume (I948) recommended that powdered sulphur should be mixed with the slush. Solente (I925) pointed out that its value in rosacea was due to the ultimate diminution, in calibre of the local blood-vessels in the dermis. This is the accepted mechanism of its action but Lortat-Jacob and Solente (I930) claim that there is an additional reflex action via the sympathetic. Some workers, such as Vieira (1947) use the snow only to destroy the small, easily visible, dilated, superficial vessels. This is the only purpose for which a snow stick may be better than slush....

...Shortly after treatment the skin becomes bright red and remains unsightly for a few hours. This is accompanied by a mild feeling of burning (the actual application of the slush is more painful), which may be relieved by fuller's earth, talcum, or face powder. By next day all sign of the immediate efects of treatment should have gone but there may be some blistering especially after the first treatment when the sensitivity of the skin - is not known. There is less likelihood of blistering after subsequent applications. The total length of treatment is variable and must be judged separately for each patient; four to eight sessions are usual. The treatment nearly always leads gradually to much improvement. Each week the skin can be seen to be paler with fewer obvious dilated vessels and less thickening. Complete cure is less common. It is essential to remember that cryotherapy is only a part of the treatment."

CRYOTHERAPY FOR ROSACEA
By E. LIPMAN COHEN, M.A., M.B., B.CHIR.(Cantab.) London
Postgraduate Medical Journal, December 1948 p 656-659
CRYOTHERAPY_FOR_ROSACEA.pdf

"An increasing amount of research is done on the effects of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) on exercise, beauty, and health." [1]

The Cleveland Clinic calls this treatment 'cryoablation.' [2]

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image courtesy of Cryo.com.au

The Cryo.com.au website uses LED with cryotherapy and states, "CRYO LED uses two wavelengths of light that are Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved to promote collagen and elastin production, helping to reduce wrinkles and tighten skin. This process feeds cells with wavelengths of light that they convert to the fuel source ATP that promotes cell reproduction and renewal. An increase in local blood circulation helps to flush toxins from the dermal layers of the skin. CRYOTHERAPY AND CRYO LED not only improves your appearance but the experience will make you feel fantastic."

So if you try cryotherapy for your rosacea, please post your results in this thread. There are a number of reviews you can read concerning cryotherapy at cryo.com.au. 

End Notes

[1] Whole Body Cryotherapy, Wikipedia

[2] Cryoablation, Cleveland Clinic