What is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy (‘cold surgery’) is a highly effective and safe procedure that is used to freeze and destroy benign skin lesions. It uses liquefied nitrous oxide to destroy tissue by freezing the inter-cellular fluid which forms ice shards and crystals that rupture the cell membrane, destroying the cell.
Suitable for: Skin Tags, Age Spots, Warts,Cherry Angiomas.
Price:From $30
About DermapenCryo
Cryotherapy (‘cold surgery’) is an advanced cryotherapy innovation that offers many advantages over traditional spray can-type cryotherapy.Firstly, it delivers a nitrous oxide (N2O) jet that is much colder and at a higher pressure than traditional cryo sprays, making for an extremely fast and effective treatment. It is able to treat a 2mm lesion in just 10 seconds,and is able to go up to 5mm deep. This means it will save you money on repeat visits. Dermapen Cryo will only treat your lesion, and not the healthy surrounding tissue, because of its special applicator tips that can be selected for different sized lesions. This means that your treatment will involve minimal discomfort and few side effects. It also means that lesions on the face and the area around the eyes can be safely treated too. Your clinician will assess your skin and treatment area to recommend a treatment plan suitable for you.
What is the treatment method?
- First Freeze Cycle : The clinician will hold the applicator as close as possible to the lesion, and move it quickly towards and away from it. Depending on the lesion size and depth, the treatment could be 1 to 30 seconds.
- Thaw: After the first freezing cycle, the tissue will be allowed to thaw for about 30 seconds.
- Second Freeze Cycle: The second freeze cycle will start. The tissue will freeze faster than during the first freezing cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cryotherapy is a relatively low-risk procedure. Dermapen Cryo delivers N2O directly to the lesion, and not the healthy surrounding tissue. Dermapen Cryo is both CE and FDA registered.
The penetration rate of freezing with the Dermapen Cryo is approximately 1mm per 5 seconds, with a maximum freezing depth of 3 to 6 mm 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.
DermapenCryo 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
The cost of treatment will depend on the size of the lesion. Make an appointment with us today to discuss costs and to assess your lesion.
