Cryopen Therapy

A blister forms 2-24 hours after the being frozen. Blisters may take several days to dissolve. Once a blister breaks, a crust will form over the lesion. Healing occurs from 1 to 6 weeks, depending on depth of freeze and size of lesion.

During the procedure, the area freezes and turns white. After this white area thaws, a flushing occurs and the area will turn red. This thawing is associated with a pinching sensation as a circle is formed. This circle will typically turn into a blister which may last for 3 to 5 days before it scabs. The scab will fall off within 2 weeks. Depending on the extent of freeze, a new scab may form and repeat the process. The lesion will be completely healed in 2 to 6 weeks. After primary healing occurs, the area will be lighter than the surrounding area due to loss of melanocytes.

Cryosurgery requires no anaesthesia and has less scarring than other techniques of skin lesion removal with minimal post-op care.

There may be some tingling with the initial freezing, but most patients get an anaesthetic effect from the extreme freezing temperatures. More of a pinching sensation occurs when the area thaws out. Some patients have some discomfort for the first day after the procedure. Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen are usually adequate to make the pain go away.

There may be slight redness for up to an hour or so following the treatment, and a small percentage of clients may have slight swelling, tingling or tenderness to touch, but these are mild and temporary in nature.

For most lesions, cryosurgery is a permanent removal. Some lesions are harder to remove than others. In more delicate places a shorter freeze time with repeat procedures may be required to get a final result with the least damage to the surrounding skin. In other instances a deep lesion may take several aggressive treatments to get final results. In particular, warts that don’t have pre-treatment may take multiple freezes.

Since melanocytes are the most sensitive cell type, persons with dark pigmentation or prolonged freeze times in any individual may cause extremely long colour recovery or permanent colour loss, even after the lesion is healed in other respects.

Most small common warts will respond to a single treatment. However, certain types and very large ones can be very difficult to remove and may take more than one treatment.

There are no limitations on activity except to protect the treated area from damage or abrasion. Activity should be limited as one would for a second degree burn with a blister.

Keep it protected best as possible and do not break the blister unless it leaks, then apply antibiotic ointment and keep it covered.

If the blister pops, the use of an antibiotic cleaning solution and ointment is recommended. Cover the area with a bandage also promotes healing.

An early blister that pops could potentially become infected if not cleaned properly.

What type of skin abnormalities are most appropriate to freeze?

Almost any unwanted skin lesions are appropriate such as warts, moles, actinic keratosis, seborrheic keratosis, keloids, lentigos, dermatofibromas and hemangiomas.

All melanomas and recurrent basal cell carcinomas. Melanoma can spread by any of several means including local, lymphatic and blood. Additionally, Melanoma will change to a much more aggressive form if part of the lesion is left behind undetected. Basil cell carcinoma is typically spread by local extension and you may need more extensive surgery if recurrence is suspected.

Care should be taken around areas of very think skin and areas in which colour may be cosmetically important. These areas may include the face, ears, scrotum and lateral surface of fingers.

Yes, cautions about skin type and location should be considered prior to deciding on freeze times. People with high levels of cryoglobulins should be treated with caution. If you have really dark skin, you may not want to have cryosurgery, as it will kill the melanocytes around the treated area, making the skin in that area lighter.

Can the CryoPen be used on children?

Yes. Children are most commonly treated for Nevi and Molluscum contagiosum with the CryoPen.