What is cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is used to treat skin lesions by freezing them with liquid nitrogen so they do not return. Liquid nitrogen is applied to the skin using a spray gun or cotton bud. A scab forms within a few days which will fall off after two weeks.
This procedure is usually very well tolerated but sometimes swelling and blistering can occur shortly after treatment. If a deep freeze is required then there is also a risk of scarring or changes in the colour of the skin.
Cryotherapy is suitable for lesions such as viral warts, seborrhoeic keratosis and andactinic keratosis (sun damage spots). Some types of skin cancers such a superficial basal cell carcinoma and bowen's disease can also be treated with using cryotherapy.
The procedure is performed in the clinic room and takes a few seconds.