CryoPen®

Cryotherapy is a procedure that uses extreme cold to destroy tissue. The process is called cryo-necrosis, tissue destruction by freezing.

The applicator is held as close as possible to the skin imperfection and moved quickly towards and away from it. This could be from 1-30 seconds, depending on the size and depth of the lesion. The CryoPen™ freezes at a rate of approximately 1mm per 5 seconds.

The nitrous oxide destroys the tissue by freezing the inter-cellular fluid in a matter of seconds, forming ice shards and crystals which rupture the membrane, thereby destroying the cell. That means there will be no collateral damage to healthy tissue. It’s so incredibly accurate and practical.

For most lesions, cryotherapy is a permanent removal. Some lesions are harder to remove than others. In addition, it is necessary to obtain a result with the least damage to the surrounding skin. In other instances, a deep lesion may take several aggressive treatments to get results. It is important to have an instrument that can adapt to variable dosing of power.

There will be a mild sensation similar to a stinging nettle on the skin when the nitrous oxide reaches the bottom of the area. There might be a little residual stinging for a few minutes after treatment and the area can be slightly itchy for about 10 minutes after the procedure. Most patients get an anaesthetic effect from the extreme freezing temperatures.

The applicator is held as close as possible to the skin imperfection and moved quickly towards and away from it. This could be from 1-30 seconds, depending on the size and depth. After the first freeze cycle, the tissue can thaw for about 30 seconds. Now the second freeze cycle will begin. The tissue will freeze faster than during the first freezing cycle.

During the procedure, the area freezes and turns white. After this white area thaws, a flushing occurs and the area will turn red and a weal will form. After 2-24 hours after being frozen the weal may turn into a blister which may take several days to dissolve, however this is very rare. A crust will form over the lesion, which typically, after about 10 to 14 days, will fall off and the skin will then be healed. The skin may appear lighter in colour or pink, which then returns to its normal colour over a period of a few weeks. Lesions treated on the legs often take a little more time to heal.

For larger and deeper lesions a second crust may form making the healing time slightly longer.

Although it is best to try to leave the treated area uncovered, a plaster or simple dressing may be applied if it is in an area which may lead to rubbing and aggravation. It is important not to pick at the crust as this may lead to scarring.

Scarring is very rare. Both hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) and hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin) may occur temporarily after cryotherapy. Both generally last for a maximum of a few months. Pigment change is more common in darker skin types.

Unfortunately we do not remove moles at Jessica Skin Clinic. As moles can carry a cancerous risk, this is better to be left to a specialised Doctor or Dermatologist. Always seek advice from the NHS if you are concerned about a mole.

For darker skin types, short, repeated freezing cycles of 3 to 6 seconds at two week intervals are recommended. Cryotherapy may not be suitable for very dark skin types (Fitzpatrick 5 & 6) as it will kill the melanocytes around the treated area, making the skin in that area lighter.

The treatment can be performed at any time of the year. During the Summer months, a sun protection factor 50 must be applied before sun exposure and reapplied every 2 hours.

Most lesions will require 1-2 sessions, however larger or more stubborn lesions may require more.

This can be determined during your consultation.

There are no limitations on activity except to protect the area from damage or abrasion. Swimming and showering is not a problem.

Skin, skin tags, age spots, warts, actinic keratosis, verruca’s, Milia, cherry angiomas and other benign skin imperfections.

Yes, however, cautions about skin type and location must be considered prior to decide on freeze times. People with high levels of cryo globulins must be treated with caution.