Cryotherapy using CryoPen®

---

 Cryotherapy, also known as cryosurgery, is a highly effective and safe procedure used to freeze and eliminate benign skin lesions. It utilizes liquefied nitrous oxide to destroy tissue by freezing the cell fluid, which forms ice shards that rupture the cell membrane, ultimately destroying the cell and the lesion. The CryoPen® is a unique pen-like device that allows for more targeted treatments, ensuring that no healthy tissue is affected during the procedure.

 The CryoPen® is a versatile treatment option for various skin conditions, including skin tags, age spots, and warts. It effectively removes actinic keratosis, rough patches caused by sun damage, as well as verrucas, which are warts on the feet. The device can also treat milia, small white cysts often found on the face, and cherry angiomas, benign red moles. Overall, the CryoPen® helps address a range of benign skin imperfections for clearer skin. 

CryoPen® therapy is relatively low risk. There are a few side effects that may occur as a result of treatment, including:

• Pigmentary changes (hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation)

• Nerve damage (particularly in areas where nerves lie close to the surface of the skin, on fingers, wrist, area behind the ear)

• Shards of frozen ice (minor shards of frozen ice may blow out that will thaw on contact with healthy skin)

• Hair follicle damage and scarring (especially when treating lesions on sites with coarse terminal hair)

The applicator is held as close as possible to the skin imperfection and moved quickly towards and away from it.  The duration of this movement can vary from 1 to 30 seconds, depending on the size and depth of the imperfection. After the initial freeze cycle, the tissue will be allowed to thaw for approximately 30 seconds before starting the second freeze cycle.  Following this, you can go home without needing to cover the treated area or use any special aftercare. A follow-up visit is recommended after 2 to 4 weeks to confirm that all pathological tissue has been removed or to assess if a follow-up treatment is necessary. 

You may feel a sensation similar to a ballpoint pen pressing lightly on your skin when the CryoPen® touches the bottom of the lesion. There might also be some residual stinging for a few hours after the treatment. In some cases, a blister may form and last for a few hours. 

 Sometimes, a blister may form and last for up to five days. Once it has scabbed over, the healing process will depend on the depth of the wound. Typically, healing occurs within two to six weeks, depending on the duration of the freeze and the location of the lesion. 

Most lesions will respond to a single treatment. However, some deeper lesions may take several aggressive treatments to get results.

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

The cost of treatment will depend on the size of the lesion. Make an appointment with your clinician to discuss costs and to assess your lesion. You can also to check our Price List to get more information on the cost of treatment.