Frequently Asked Questions - cryotherapy

It is the use of extreme cold to freeze and remove abnormal skin tissue.  It is applied to the abnormal cells which then die.  

Not really, but depends on your individual pain threshold.  The spray is very cold and most clients experience a slight tingling/burning sensation, but this soon wears off.

I can treat warts, verrucas, sebborhoeic keratoses and actinic keratoses. 

Practically all areas.  Most skin lesions develop on sun-exposed areas.  I am cautious about using cryotherapy on the face and especially around the eyes. That being said I will carry out a full assessment and if I don't think you will get the results you deserve then I will decline treatment.

It's your face!  The first thing people see.

Yes as I treat such tiny areas.  Make sure you follow any aftercare instructions given.

Cryotherapy should not scar the skin, unless it's done badly.  Scarring only occurs if the aesthetician has applied too much for too long.  The skin will look pinker once the original lesion has resolved, but over time this will fade.  This can take some months or even years.

This is difficult to answer.  Warts and verrucas are stubborn to get rid of and normally require repeated treatments to get them to resolve.  Sometimes they just won't budge despite my best efforts.  Other lesions will be assessed at the time and I will give you an honest opinion as to whether I feel you would need  more than one session.  Generally most lesions treated with cryotherapy do need repeated treatments.

The most common side effect reported by my clients and patients is redness to the treatment site.  Very occasionally the site can form a small blister.  This normally resolves on it's own.

I use a specifically designed tip to direct the spay directly onto the lesion itself.  I also use a cone that stops the spray from affecting surrounding tissues, thus minimising any damage.

Contact me.  I will take a look and provide appropriate treatment and advice.  If necessary I can provide a private prescription if I feel you need oral antibiotics.  This would be free of charge.  If it has blistered it will resolve on its own, you can apply a sterile plaster or dressing if this is the case.

Absolutely.  There are no contraindications for this procedure.

I would never support the use of tanning beds, however this does make me a complete hypocrite!!! I love a tan, and summer is my favourite time of year.  Joking aside, once the damaged tissue has been removed you will have lovely fresh new skin underneath.  These new skin cells are very sensitive to sun damage, and if this happens you can end up with hyper-pigmentation of the skin (the skin in that area will look darker than the rest).  You must use a high SPF sun cream to protect the area if you are going out in the sun.