WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND SIDE EFFECTS OF CRYOTHERAPY?
Advantages of this treatment include a short preparation time, can be done on the spot, minimally invasive, minimal or no bleeding, low risk of infection, minimal wound care, minimal or no injectable anesthesia, and no sutures required.
Potential side effects include blister formation and hypopigmentation, but rarely scarring.
Most skin lesions can be treated in a single session, although some may require 2 or 3 treatment sessions.
HOW DOES CRYOTHERAPY WORK?
Liquid nitrogen is the most effective cryogen for clinical use.
Liquid nitrogen works by achieving very low sub-zero freezing temperatures to cause complete destruction of the lesions. The degree of damage depends on the rate of cooling and the minimum temperature achieved. Inflammation develops during the 24 hours after treatment, further contributing to destruction of the lesion through immunologically mediated mechanisms.
The dose of liquid nitrogen and the choice of delivery method depend on the size, tissue type, and depth of the lesion, the area of the body on which the lesion is located and the required depth of freeze.
