Benign Skin Lesions

Cryotherapy

What is skin cryotherapy?
Skin cryotherapy is a simple, efficient, and effective treatment used to remove a wide variety of skin lesions or growths. The process kills unwanted skin growth by using a controlled amount of freezing to the skin. It's either performed with a small probe or by directly applying a freezing solution to the skin.

What are the advantages of skin cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is a very simple and easy procedure. There's no blood, stitches, or scarring. Most people don't even feel anything since the freezing techniques usually numb the skin. This technique usually requires fewer office visits for follow-up than other surgical removal procedures. Also, infection rates may be lower with cryotherapy.

What are some of the skin growths that can be treated with cryotherapy?
Most types of warts can be treated by cryotherapy, as well as precancerous, sun-damaged skin areas like AKs. This procedure works on many benign, or noncancerous, skin growths and even on certain skin cancers.

What complications can develop after this procedure?
Cryotherapy can cause permanent lightening of the skin. Nerves below the treated area can be damaged, leading to short-term or permanent numbness. Skin with reduced blood supply can develop a sore or an exaggerated response to the treatment. However, excessive scarring or infection is uncommon after cryotherapy.

Will I feel pain during or after the procedure?
Most people feel a burning sensation during the procedure similar to that of an ice cube stuck to the skin. Most adults can tolerate the feeling, although some young children may experience more discomfort.