A prospective study on the effects of 10 whole-body cryotherapy sessions on skin parameters in young healthy women
Ptaszek B, Uzar M, Podsiadło S, Poráčová J, Czerwińska-Ledwig O
Frontiers in physiology · 0 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Controlled clinical trial (classified by our AI screen)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
Based on full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2026-06-05 · Front Physiol · vol. 17 · p. 1812461
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media
- Cited
- 0 citations · more than 42% of similar papers · 0.0× the field average
- References
- 16 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Exercise and Physiological Responses · Thermoregulation and physiological responses · Infrared Thermography in Medicine
- Keywords
- Cryotherapy, Prospective cohort study, Skin temperature, Transepidermal water loss, Perfusion, Cryosurgery
5 authors
From PL, SK
- Bartłomiej PtaszekUniversity of Physical Culture in Kraków
- Magdalena UzarUniversity of Physical Culture in Kraków
- Szymon PodsiadłoUniversity of Physical Culture in Kraków
- Janka PoráčováUniversity of Prešov
- Olga Czerwińska-LedwigUniversity of Physical Culture in Kraków
Abstract
Background/objectives
Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) uses extremely low temperatures to induce physiological responses, directly affecting skin perfusion and metabolism. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a series of 10 whole-body cryotherapy sessions on selected skin parameters in 12 young, healthy, and non-training women. Methods: Participants aged 21-25 underwent a series of 10 cryotherapy sessions at a temperature of -120 °C. Measurements were performed at 7 time points using the following probes (Courage Khazaka, Germany): Corneometer (skin hydration), Tewameter (transepidermal water loss, TEWL), Cutometer® dual MPA 580 (skin elasticity and firmness), Mexameter (erythrema and melanin content), and Skin-Thermometer® ST 500 (skin temperature).
Results
The study revealed a statistically significant decrease in skin temperature and hydration, as well as an increase in redness (erythema). No significant changes were observed in biomechanical parameters (firmness, elasticity) or in TEWL.
Conclusions
Whole-body cryotherapy in young, healthy women induces a marked vascular response, affecting skin microcirculation. Despite the reduction in hydration, the treatments are likely safe for the skin's protective barrier and do not negatively impact its mechanical properties in young, healthy women. Further research is needed to explain the complexity of these processes.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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