HOW DOES IT WORKS

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

Cryotherapy requires no anaesthesia and has less scarring than other techniques of skin removal with minimal post-op care. Treatment goes fast and can be integrated into daily practice.

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.

Yes, but cautions about skin type and location be considered prior to deciding on freeze times. People with high levels of cryoglobulins should be treated with caution. If with dark skin, one may not want to have cryotherapy, it will kill the melanocytes around the treated area, making the skin in that area lighter.

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.

This does not normally occur. Darkening or lightening of the skin may occur temporarily. Both generally last for a few months. The pigment change is more common in darker skin types.

Most small common warts will respond to a single treatment. However, certain types and very deep ones can be very difficult to remove and may require more than one treatment.

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.

Cryotherapy is a relatively low-risk procedure. Cryopen® delivers N2O directly to the lesion, and not the healthy surrounding tissue. Cryopen® is both CE and FDA registered.

The penetration rate of freezing with the Cryopen® is approximately 1mm per 5 seconds, with a maximum freezing depth of 3 to 6mm depending on the used applicator. The duration of the treatment time will depend on the surface area and the thickness of the tissue being treated. Upon the clinical evaluation of the thickness of the lesion, the operator will choose an application time from 1 to 30 seconds.

There will be a pain sensation similar to a ballpoint pen being pushed onto the skin when the nitrous oxide reaches the bottom of the lesion. There might be a little residual stinging for a few minutes after treatment. Occasionally a blister might form and persist for a few hours.

A follow up visit is recommended after 2 to 4 weeks to confirm that all pathological tissue has disappeared or if a follow up treatment is necessary.

Repeated short freezing cycles of 3 to 6 seconds at two-week intervals are recommended if you have a darker skin type.

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 permanent alopecia (especially when treating lesions on sites with coarse terminal hair) Discuss any concerns with your clinician.