Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy works by causing the water in the skin cells to freeze. As this happens the water expands (setting up a crystalline matrix) and fractures the frozen cell walls causing cellular necrosis (or death).

The freeze is rapid (below -27 C); the fluid inside the lesion freezes before it can be expelled via osmosis and the cell wall is destroyed. This causes cryonecrosis which eliminates the nucleus of the cell. Once the blood supply to the lesion is frozen, the lesion will crust over and fall off.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

  • TREATMENT DETAILS

    £60 per lesion (additional ones - £10)

  • Treatment areas

    • Skin tags
    • Cherry angiomas (cherry spots)
    • Flat pigmentation-age or sunspots or sun damage
    • Warts
    • Verrucae
    • Milia
    • Moles (GP letter required to confirm benign moles)

What to expect

Treatment length is a maximum of 30 seconds, depending on the number and size of lesions. More than one treatment may be required. A slight stinging sensation is felt and inflammation and itching can occur , however, this may last a few minutes. This is due to the release of histamine and is totally normal in this kind of treatment. A blister may form but does not affect the outcome of the treatment. The area will darken and crust which is normal and can take between 1-6 weeks to fall off. Most healing takes place between 4-6 weeks, some may take longer.


After treatment , the skin will look red, possibly raised and cold. The area must not be touched, and the surface will go darker . The treatment area should not be picked or irritated and should be left to heal in its own time. This may take 2-4 weeks. The client may experience an itchy feeling which is the body responding to the nitrous oxide with histamine; this is a normal process which fades after around 10 minutes.
Aftercare
  • Do not itch or pick the area.
  • Do not use scrubs as this can damage the surface of the skin.
  • Use SPF 50 on the area to prevent pigmentation.
    If a blister occurs and bursts, use an alcohol free wipe to clean the area and apply antiseptic cream. It may also be covered with a plaster.
  • During healing, you may shower and wash the area as normal.