Cryotherapy for Acne: Does It Really Work?

What Is Cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy is a type of cold therapy used to treat affected areas of the skin. It comes in different forms, including:

• Cryo facials (involve brief exposure to extreme cold)
• Liquid nitrogen spot treatments (used by dermatologists)
• Ice rollers or cooling globes (used at home)
• Whole-body cryotherapy chambers (less relevant for acne, but buzzy)

For acne-prone skin, cryotherapy is usually used as a topical or localized treatment to reduce inflammation and calm breakouts—not to treat acne at its root.

 

How Does Cryotherapy Help With Acne?

While cryotherapy doesn’t unclog pores or kill acne-causing bacteria directly, it does offer some useful skin benefits—especially for inflamed breakouts and post-extraction care.

Here’s how it helps:

✅ Reduces Inflammation

Cold constricts blood vessels and reduces swelling. This makes it helpful for calming:

• Acne lesions, including cystic pimples
• Red, swollen breakouts
• Post-treatment irritation

✅ Minimizes Redness and Puffiness

Cryo can temporarily shrink blood vessels and soothe angry breakouts, giving the appearance of calmer skin.

✅ Supports Healing

By calming inflammation, cryo helps reduce the risk of scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation—especially when used after a breakout has been extracted.

✅ Boosts Circulation (Paradoxically)

After your skin rewarms, increased circulation delivers oxygen and nutrients to the skin, supporting recovery.

Tip: Ice rolling after exfoliation or on recovery nights during your skin cycling routine can be a great way to reduce redness and lock in hydration.

 

In-Office Cryotherapy vs. At-Home Cooling

Here’s a breakdown of the differences between these two skincare treatments.

In-Office Cryotherapy (Liquid Nitrogen)

Dermatologists may use a precise cryospray of liquid nitrogen to freeze individual cysts or nodules.

Best for: Large, inflamed cysts or nodules that need to shrink quickly.

What to expect:

• The pimple will freeze, flatten, and dry out.
• It may scab or flake slightly as it heals.
• Requires minimal downtime (but can cause hypopigmentation in darker skin tones).

Tip: The use of liquid nitrogen is typically reserved for more severe breakouts. Liquid nitrogen treatments should only be done in a doctor’s office by a board-certified dermatologist.

 

At-Home Cryotherapy (Ice Rollers, Globes, or Cryo Sticks)

Best for: Everyday calming, post-acne inflammation, and gentle de-puffing.

✅ Benefits:

• Affordable and easy to use
• Reduces temporary redness
• Can soothe post-extraction skin

🚫 Limitations:

• Won’t prevent breakouts
• Doesn’t treat clogged pores or oil production

 Best practice: Keep your roller or cryo tool in the fridge—not the freezer—to avoid damaging your skin.

 

How to Use Cryotherapy Safely at Home

Here’s how to integrate cryo into your acne-safe skincare routine:

1. Always start with clean skin. Wash your face before applying any cold tools.
2. Apply a calming serum or hydrating mist beforehand to help your skin absorb the benefits.
3. If it’s your first time using cryotherapy, it’s important to start slowly and avoid overuse, especially if you have sensitive skin. Roll the affected area gently for 5-10 minutes. Don’t press too hard or stay in one spot too long.
4. Follow with a non-comedogenic moisturizer. Lock in hydration while your skin is calm.
5. Disinfect your tools. Wipe them down with alcohol before and after each use.

Good to know: Cryo is a great add-on—but it’s not a replacement for active acne treatment.

 

When Cryotherapy Might Not Be Right

Skip cryotherapy (or speak to your healthcare provider first) if you have:

• Rosacea or extremely sensitive skin
• Cold urticaria (cold-induced hives)
• Sensitivity to temperature extremes
• A recent deep peel or laser treatment

Good to know: If you’re experiencing painful cystic acne, your best bet is still medical treatment—not an ice roller.

 

Final Thoughts: A Cool Tool—Not a Miracle Fix

While not a cure, cryotherapy for acne can be an effective treatment to support overall acne management. 

Use it to:

• Calm flare-ups
• Reduce redness
• Soothe your skin on recovery nights