Cryosurgery
Our goal at Skin Wellness Dermatology is to provide dermatological care tailored to our patient’s needs. Each patient is different and is best served by treatment plans devised accordingly. Because we see the individual, we have assembled a number of dermatology services to help our patients handle their skin concerns.
For the past century, cryosurgery has been used in the medical field to treat benign skin concerns. The skilled medical professionals at Skin Wellness Dermatology have perfected the art of cryosurgery, ensuring the utmost safety and comfort for patients undergoing treatment. In the past, cryosurgery was performed by dipping a sterile cotton tip into liquid nitrogen and touching it to the affected area. Today, dermatologists have various techniques to perform this therapy, including the paintbrush method, the spiral or rotary pattern, or the spot freeze technique.
A quick, convenient treatment, cryosurgery may be used in the treatment of:
- Molluscum contagiosum, or warts
- Actinic keratosis
- Seborrheic keratosis
- Solar lentigo
How does it work?
Liquid nitrogen is applied to the lesion for a short burst, freezing the skin. Patients may experience mild stinging or discomfort for a few minutes during the freezing and thawing process. Swelling may last a few days as a scab forms. In a few weeks, the scab falls off, and the process is complete. The advantage of cryosurgery is that it doesn’t require local anesthesia or special equipment, no suture removal, and no special wound care. Additionally, the treatment has a low risk of infection.
Typically, a single treatment is sufficient to treat the skin lesion effectively. Our staff will evaluate your cryosurgery results to determine if future treatment is needed.
