What is the difference between local and whole-body cryotherapy?

Whole-body and local cryotherapy have a lot in common, but there is an essential difference between these treatments. 

First and foremost, local cryotherapy is known for its pronounced pain-killing effect. Plus, it improves blood circulation in the treated areas, thus promoting faster healing. In the beauty industry, localized subzero exposures prompt visible pore tightening and produce an immediate “glowing skin” effect. Cold treatments also help relieve swelling and improve skin elasticity due to activated collagen production. 

Whole-body cryotherapy has the same effects as the local one, but also triggers a number of systemic body reactions. Rapid cooling of the whole body kicks up the activity of the organs and systems that local extreme cold exposure cannot affect. For example, decreased cortisol levels and elevated endorphin’s production normalize hormonal balance. Which, in its turn, helps improve mood and relieve depressive symptoms given a series of consecutive treatments.

Boosted immunity is another systemic effect of cryostimulation. Under perceived life threat, the body increases the production of anti-inflammatory hormones and white blood cells. As a result, inflammatory processes in the body, both acute and chronic, get lowered. In addition to extreme cold reducing the speed of pain signals, a decrease in inflammation helps alleviate pain as well.

In other words, local cryotherapy perfectly deals with localized conditions, while whole-body cryotherapy is a great tool to activate health-improving processes in the whole body.