Cryotherapy for skin lesion
Cryotherapy is the use of extreme cold to freeze and remove abnormal tissue. Doctors use it to treat many skin conditions including warts and skin tags. During cryotherapy, the healthcare provider applies extreme cold to abnormal tissue. Cells can’t survive this severe cold and die after treatment. Cryosurgery is a minimally invasive treatment. Compared to traditional surgery, it usually has less pain and bleeding and a lower risk of damaging healthy tissue near the abnormal cells.
What to expect from your treatment
The treated area will become red soon after your procedure and it may blister and swell. If this happens, don’t break the blister. You may also see clear drainage on the treated area. This is normal.
The treated area will heal in about 7 to 10 days.
uses
- Skin tags
- Actinic keratosis
- Superficial skin cancer
- Hemangioma and cherry angioma
- Warts
- Age spots
- Minor skin imperfections
- Verrucas
- Mila
Appointment Time
Your appointment time will be depends on the size of your skin lesion but it might take less than a minute to freeze the area.
The appointment usually lasts around 30 minutes.
Downtime
Cryotherapy for skin lesion ahs no downtime.
Aftercare
Refrain from touching the area (no picking, scratching, pulling) while healing. Avoid excessive sun exposure, active skin care products on the area (AHA/acids), makeup and exfoliation to the area while healing.
Products used
Nitrous Oxide
What can be removed with cryotherapy?
Here you can see some of the most common types of skin lesion that can be treated with cryotherapy.
FAQ
Generally the change is permanent however, it is possible that certain skin conditions may regrow and return over time, this may not be predictable.
Potential side effects include bleeding, blister formation, headache, hair loss around the treated area, and hypopigmentation, but rarely scarring.
There is minimal discomfort – no anesthesia is needed. Patient may experience minor stinging or a pinch sensation.
- Pregnant or nursing
- Have unstable diabetes
- Have a fever or infections (localized to the area or systemic) and are sick (cold/flu)
- Have skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis) or irritations (open wounds, rashes, sunburn, acne, etc.) on or near the procedure area
- Prone to keloid scars or hypertrophic scarring
- Used Accutane in the past year
- Undergoing chemotherapy or radiation (consult with your doctor)
- Have vascular insufficiency
- Have suspicious, or new skin growths that have not been checked by a doctor for malignancy
- Tanned in a UV bed or had excess sunlight in the last 7 days
What can be removed with
cryotherapy?
Here you can see some of the most common types of skin lesion that can be treated with cryotherapy.
before your appointment
Some cosmetic procedures should be completed prior to your treatment if they involve the treatment area:
– Chemical peels, laser treatments, microdermabrasion (4 weeks in advance)
– Discontinue the use of retinol and AHA products to the area (1 week in advance)