Is cryotherapy safe?

When administered at certified facilities with trained operators, whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) has a good safety record. The most common side effects are temporary skin redness, tingling, and numbness that resolve within minutes of exiting the chamber. More serious but rare risks include frostbite (typically from moisture on the skin or jewelry), slight blood pressure elevation during treatment, and allergic skin reactions in sensitive individuals. To ensure safety, facilities should require medical screening before your first session to identify contraindications including uncontrolled hypertension, Raynaud's disease, cold urticaria, deep vein thrombosis, and pregnancy. Operators should be trained to monitor session duration (never exceeding 3-4 minutes), ensure the chamber temperature is properly calibrated, and confirm you are wearing required protective gear — dry socks, gloves, ear protection, and a face mask. The chamber door should never be locked and you should be able to exit at any time. Note that the FDA has not cleared or approved WBC devices for medical treatment of any specific condition, so claims should be evaluated critically. BestDosage includes operator certification and safety protocol data in our center evaluations.

Reviewed by Chad Waldman, Analytical Chemist · Last updated May 2026

About Cryotherapy

Exposure to extreme cold (-110°C to -140°C for 2-3 minutes) triggers peripheral vasoconstriction, norepinephrine release, and cold shock protein activation.