Background: Alopecia areata (AA) results in non-scarring hair loss. Since its introduction, superficial cryotherapy with liquefied nitrogen has been used as one of a possible therapeutic modality for AA. Objectives: To clarify the therapeutic efficacy and safety of superficial cryotherapy for treatment of AA. Methods: In 15 patients with AA patches who successfully completed their treatment course ≥4 months, superficial cryotherapy was performed on the right side every 2 weeks. Prednicarbate 0.25% solution was applied to both sides. On every visit, clinical improvement was estimated using the SALT (Severity of Alopecia Tool) score by 3 different dermatologists. The changes in terminal and vellus hair count and hair thickness were analyzed by phototrichogram. Results: After 4 months of treatment, clinical improvement was observed in 73.3%, including complete recovery in 13.3%. Mean terminal hair count on the treated scalp was 1.6-fold increased (p<0.01), while on the control scalp it showed no significant change (p=0.29). Mean SALT score decrease on the treated was 4-fold greater than that on the control (40.7% and 9.6%). Vellus hair count and hair thickness did not show significant changes. No remarkable adverse event was observed. Conclusion: Superficial cryotherapy is an efficacious treatment modality with advantages of simplicity and noninvasiveness. It can be considered as a primary therapeutic modality, especially in mild to moderate AA.