Cryotherapy has become increasingly common in wellness and athletic recovery, and is now appearing in hair salons with promises of healthier, shinier hair. But can freezing temperatures truly stimulate hair growth and improve its overall condition? Experts are weighing in on the science behind this ice-cold therapy.

What is Hair Cryotherapy?

Originally a therapeutic and medical treatment, cryotherapy is known for reducing inflammation, alleviating chronic pain, improving circulation, and boosting metabolism. However, it wasn’t initially designed to address hair loss. Applying extreme cold from high-intensity devices directly to the scalp can potentially cause damage, including blistering or scarring.

How Does Cryotherapy for Hair Work?

Cryotherapy for hair is being adapted for salon treatments, focusing on enhancing hair appearance rather than treating medical conditions. Hair thinning affects approximately 85 percent of men and 35 percent of women throughout their lives, driving interest in new solutions. While the idea of cold therapy regrowing hair is largely unproven, research has primarily focused on alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition causing patchy hair loss, with limited and inconclusive results.

Currently, cryotherapy isn’t recommended as a first-line treatment for hair loss due to insufficient supporting data. However, scalp cooling with cryotherapy caps is a well-established medical practice used during chemotherapy. This reduces blood flow to the scalp, limiting drug exposure to hair follicles, potentially reducing hair loss and supporting regrowth afterward. This treatment must be administered by a medical professional as part of a comprehensive plan.

Cosmetic Cryotherapy Treatments

Haug London Haus introduced Hair.TOXX, the first professional cryotherapy treatment specifically for hair and scalp. Stylists apply chilled plates – reaching temperatures as low as three degrees Fahrenheit – after a nourishing mask or serum. This process aims to seal in active ingredients like plant extracts and hyaluronic acid, smooth the hair cuticle, and boost shine.

“The treatment is really about locking in the benefits of the products,” says Sharon Wong, a dermatologist and president of the Institute of Trichologists. “It is the cryotherapy that seals everything into the hair, giving that immediate shine, smoothness, and strength without using heat.”

Siobhan Haug, co-founder of Haug London Haus, explains, “Clients are often surprised because they see frost forming on the plates, but it is completely safe and does not change the natural texture of the hair—it simply enhances it.” The treatment focuses on the hair fiber, not the follicle, and doesn’t directly stimulate growth or prevent hair loss.

“We are not claiming to regrow hair,” Haug clarifies. “What we can do is improve the condition of both the hair and scalp, which helps hair look fuller, healthier, and more resilient.” These treatments can contribute to a healthy scalp environment by improving comfort, balancing oil levels, and strengthening the hair shaft, making them appealing for those with dryness, breakage, color damage, or sensitivity.

What Are the Risks?

Cosmetic cryotherapy treatments are generally safe when performed correctly, but their effects are primarily surface-level. The main risk lies in unrealistic expectations. Improperly applied extreme cold can harm the scalp.

Ultimately, cryotherapy serves as a beneficial finishing treatment, enhancing shine and sealing in care formulas. However, for hair loss or regrowth, a professional diagnosis and medically backed treatments, alongside a holistic approach to external factors, remain the most effective path.