Cryotherapy treatments available at Cheshire Lasers Clinic Middlewich

What is Cryotherapy?

The term ‘cryotherapy’ literally means ‘treatment using low temperature’. The treatment removes / treats skin lesions by freezing them.

What conditions can be treated with cryotherapy?

A wide variety of superficial benign (non-cancerous) lesions can be treated with cryotherapy. It is most commonly used to remove skin tags, viral warts, seborrhoeic keratosis and other benign lesions.

What does the procedure involve?

Cryotherapy can be performed in clinic without any special preparation

At Cheshire Lasers Moira of Jouvence Aesthetics performs cryotherapy using Hydrozid, a canister that sprays the skin lesion & reaches a temperature of -103 degrees.

Although there is slight local pain felt, cryotherapy does not normally require a local or topical anaesthetic and the procedure itself lasts a matter of seconds; the precise time depending on the thickness and size of the lesion. The frozen skin becomes white and takes one to two minutes to thaw to normal skin temperature. The process is repeated once the skin has thawed out, up to 6 cycles.
Over the succeeding few days, a scab will form, and this will take one to two weeks (and occasionally a little longer) to fall off. Usually, the treated area will eventually look normal, although scarring and discolouration is possible, depending on your skin type & healing abilities.

How many treatments do I need?

This depends on the nature of the lesion, and its size. More than one treatment maybe necessary, if so we recommend a repeat treatment after 2-3 weeks.

How should I care for the treated area?

You will be given information on how to care for the area. Try to keep areas dry & not knock any scabs. It is important not to pick at the scab as this will encourage scarring. We do not recommend a dressing or plaster unless the treated area is likely to be knocked or rubbed by clothing.

What are the side effects of Cryotherapy?

Immediate common side effects include:

Pain

Cryotherapy is usually well-tolerated, but can sometimes be painful if a deep freeze has been necessary.
This discomfort can occur both at the time of treatment and for a variable time thereafter. Painkillers (such as paracetamol) taken for the first 24 hours may relieve that discomfort; also taking a painkiller an hour or so prior to anticipated treatment can reduce the discomfort.

Swelling and Redness

This is a normal immediate response to freezing the skin, and usually settles after two to three days. For a short while the treated area may ooze a little watery fluid. Cryotherapy close to the eyes may induce prominent puffiness of the eyelids which settles within days

Blistering

Blistering can be a consequence of cryotherapy and blisters settle after a few days as the scab forms. Some people blister more easily than others and the development of blisters does not mean that the skin has been frozen too much. Occasionally the blisters may become filled with blood; this is harmless and only if a blister was very uncomfortable would it be necessary to puncture it, using a sterile needle in clinic.

Rare Less common subsequent side effects include:

Infection

Infection is uncommonly, infection can occur, resulting in increased pain and the formation of pus: this may require topical antiseptic or antibiotic therapy.

Scarring

Rarely, a scar will form, especially if a deep freeze has been necessary & depending on skin type.

Pigmentation changes

The skin at and around the treatment site may lighten or darken in colour, especially in dark-skinned people. This usually improves with time, but may be permanent, depending on your skin.

Numbness

Numbness can occur if a superficial nerve is frozen. In which case numbness of the area of skin the nerve supplies can occur. Normal feeling usually returns within a matter of months. Treatment may not be effective, or the condition may recur, particularly skin warts.

Cryotherapy