Skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and rosacea aren't primarily surface problems — they're driven by inflammation and cellular dysfunction deep in the tissue. Whole body red light therapy works at a cellular level to calm inflammatory signals, repair the skin barrier and stimulate collagen production. This article explains the evidence and what to expect from treatment at Aim Health Hoylake.
Cryotherapy for Eczema and Skin Conditions: Breaking the Itch-Inflammation Cycle Naturally
Skin Health — Aim Health Hoylake
Cooling inflammation from the inside out
How whole body cryotherapy at −87°C works from the inside out to calm the immune overreaction that drives eczema, psoriasis and chronic skin inflammation.
Eczema at its root is not a skin problem. It is an immune problem that shows up in the skin. The itching, the redness, the inflammation, the flare cycles — these are symptoms of an immune system that is chronically over-reactive. And that’s where cryotherapy offers something genuinely different.
Why treating the surface isn’t enough
Most of us have been taught to think about skin health from the outside in. When eczema flares, the instinct is to reach for something to apply — a cream, an ointment, a remedy for the surface of the skin.
There are many options in this space — emollients, natural oils, dietary changes — and some are genuinely helpful. But for people with persistent, active eczema that keeps returning despite everything they’ve tried, something important is often being missed.
Cryotherapy doesn’t work on the surface of the skin. It works from the inside out — triggering a powerful natural response in the body’s immune and inflammatory systems that can change how the skin behaves, not just how it looks in the moment.
How cryotherapy works on the immune system and skin
When your body is exposed to extreme cold — the temperature inside our cryo chamber at Aim Health reaches minus 87 degrees Celsius — something remarkable happens at a physiological level.
Blood vessels constrict rapidly. The body enters what researchers describe as a repair mode. And critically for inflammatory skin conditions, the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines — the chemical messengers that drive the immune overreaction behind eczema — is significantly reduced.
This is not a surface effect. It is a systemic one. The cold exposure triggers a whole-body response that affects the immune environment throughout the body, not just at the skin’s surface.
When you step out of the chamber, oxygenated blood floods back through the body. Endorphins are released. The anti-inflammatory cascade begins. And for people with eczema, what many notice first — often within hours of their first session — is something they haven’t felt in a long time: their skin feels calmer. The itch quietens.
With regular sessions, this effect builds. The intervals between flares lengthen. When flares do come, they tend to be less intense and settle faster.
The cold exposure triggers a whole-body response that affects the immune environment throughout the body — reducing the very cytokines that drive eczema flares.
What the research says
The evidence base for cryotherapy in inflammatory skin conditions is growing. Research has shown that whole body cryotherapy reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines — including the specific immune signals that are elevated in eczema — while simultaneously triggering the body’s natural anti-inflammatory responses.
Studies have found that cryotherapy may help ease itching in patients with mild to moderate eczema, with the cold exposure reducing the nerve sensitisation that makes eczema skin so reactive. For psoriasis — which shares the autoimmune inflammatory mechanism with severe eczema — studies show reductions in inflammatory markers and symptom severity with regular cryotherapy.
This is an emerging area of research, and we present it honestly as such. What we can say is that the biological mechanism is well understood, the clinical signals are positive, and the experience of our clients at Aim Health is consistently encouraging.
A client’s experience
Client story
One of our clients — a woman in her late twenties — had lived with eczema since childhood. It had resolved for a period, but returned and over several years had become progressively more widespread, affecting her legs, arms, back and chest.
She had worked through many of the approaches people try without finding lasting improvement. She came to Aim Health looking for a natural approach that might make a meaningful difference. She began a programme combining whole body cryotherapy and red light therapy.
The cryotherapy was soothing almost immediately. After her first session, the itching — which had been constant — reduced noticeably. That relief lasted around 24 hours initially. As she continued with regular sessions, the relief lasted longer and the intervals between flares began to extend.
The red light therapy felt calming — complementary to the cryotherapy, working more gently at a cellular level and supporting skin repair between sessions.
After four weeks of combined treatment, something had shifted significantly. The eczema that had affected large areas of her body had reduced considerably. The skin was calmer. The itch that had been a daily constant was no longer controlling her day.
“After four weeks I could see a real difference. The itching had calmed down so much and the redness was nowhere near as angry. I hadn’t felt this comfortable in my own skin in years.”
The combination approach — cryotherapy and red light therapy together
What this client’s experience illustrates — and what we see consistently at Aim Health — is that cryotherapy and red light therapy work particularly well together for inflammatory skin conditions. They address the same underlying problem through complementary mechanisms.
How the two therapies work together
→
Cryotherapy — immediate anti-inflammatory responseDelivers a powerful systemic anti-inflammatory effect by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and triggering the body’s natural repair mode. Calms the itch quickly and reduces flare intensity.
→
Red light therapy — cellular repair over timeWorks at a cellular level, supporting mitochondrial energy production, skin barrier repair and collagen synthesis. Addresses the underlying inflammatory environment and supports long-term skin recovery.
→
Together — acute relief and lasting changeThe combination addresses both the immediate flare and the underlying inflammatory environment that drives eczema recurrence — producing results that neither therapy achieves as effectively alone.
You can read more about how red light therapy helps with eczema and other skin conditions in our dedicated article: Red Light Therapy for Skin Conditions — Eczema, Psoriasis, Rosacea and Healthy Ageing.
What to expect in a cryotherapy session at Aim Health
Sessions last 2–4 minutes in our chamber, which reaches minus 87 degrees Celsius. Before you step in, our team will talk you through exactly what to expect and will be with you throughout your experience.
We provide protective gloves, a face mask, a headband and socks — or you’re welcome to bring your own if you prefer. Your temperature is taken before and after each session. The temperature drop you experience is medically monitored to ensure it stays within the safe therapeutic range.
The cold is intense but the session is short — most clients find it far more tolerable than they expect. When you step out, the warm flush of returning circulation is immediate. For eczema specifically, many clients notice a calming of the itch within hours of their first session.
Before your first session we carry out a brief health check to confirm cryotherapy is suitable for you. The therapy is completely non-contact, making it suitable even for highly sensitive or actively flaring skin.
Frequently asked questions
Is cryotherapy safe when my eczema is actively flaring?
Yes — because cryotherapy is non-contact, it does not irritate or aggravate the skin surface during a flare. Many clients find it most helpful precisely when their skin is most active. Our team will carry out a health check before your first session and will advise you on the best approach for your situation.
How quickly will I notice a difference?
Many clients with eczema notice a reduction in itching within hours of their first session. More significant and lasting improvement typically builds over a course of regular sessions — most clients see meaningful change within 4–6 weeks of consistent treatment.
Can I use it alongside my existing treatments?
Yes — cryotherapy works well alongside conventional eczema treatments and should not replace any prescribed medication or dermatologist-led care plan. We always recommend continuing with your existing medical treatment alongside your sessions at Aim Health. Any changes to prescribed medication should always be discussed with your GP or dermatologist.
What is the difference between cryotherapy and red light therapy for eczema?
Cryotherapy works primarily through an immediate anti-inflammatory immune response — reducing the cytokines that drive eczema flares and calming the itch quickly. Red light therapy works at a cellular level over time — supporting skin barrier repair and long-term reduction in underlying inflammation. Many of our clients use both together for the best results.
Find out if cryotherapy is right for your skin
aimhealth.co.uk · Hoylake, Wirral · 0151 203 0883
You may also find this article helpful: Red Light Therapy for Skin Conditions — Eczema, Psoriasis, Rosacea and Healthy Ageing.
© Aim Health Hoylake 2026. This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Always continue with any prescribed medication and consult your GP or dermatologist before making changes to your treatment plan.
Related Posts
