Cryotherapy

Summary

Cryotherapy is an effective means of removing unwanted cells such as viral warts or sun damage.
However, it can be an uncomfortable treatment.
When used on the face, careful wound care is essential if a good cosmetic result is desired.

What are the advantages of Cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy is a quick and cost effective means of removing areas of sun damage on the face and of treating viral warts on the backs of the hands and fingers.

What are the disadvantages of Cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy is uncomfortable. It produces a wound that takes longer to heal than an equivalent surgical wound. If used on the body, it tends to leave white marks. These white marks also occur on the face without careful attention to wound care.

How does Cryotherapy work?

Cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen (temperature -196C) cools the skin rapidly causing ice to form within the treated cells.

Which areas respond best to Cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy works best on flat marks or raise lumps that that are surrounded by white skin. Sun damage on the face and the back of the hands is cleared by one to two treatments with cryotherapy. However, the cure rate for warts on the hands is 80% after six treatments at three weekly intervals and for those on the feet only 50% after the same six treatments.

How will I look immediately after Cryotherapy?

After Cryotherapy there may be immediate local swelling and redness. One the face, the redness clears after one to two weeks. Once that hands and feet it lasts longer. Treatment near the eye or lip can cause a more general swelling that persists for a few days.

Is there any important Cryotherapy aftercare?

If an excellent cosmetic result is desired, Cryotherapy wounds should be occluded until they heal.