Unsightly skin lesions can make you feel self-conscious about your appearance. At Pima Dermatology, we understand that you want clearer, smoother skin, which is why our team of board-certified dermatologists and skin specialists provide the latest in effective, cutting-edge treatments to restore and maintain healthy skin.
One such procedure is cryosurgery, a safe, productive technique for removing a variety of skin lesions and unhealthy tissue, including those that are both harmless and potentially harmful.
What Is Cryosurgery?
The cryosurgery treatment is minimally invasive and simple – extremely cold liquid nitrogen is applied to the targeted lesion, freezing and destroying the diseased cells and tissue. A blister then forms underneath the area, which falls off in 1-3 weeks, revealing fresh, healthy new skin.
Types of Conditions
Cryosurgery is very effective for surface-level lesions, where the liquid nitrogen is either sprayed on or applied with a swab of cotton. This is repeated as many times as necessary to eliminate the harmful tissue from your body.
A typical procedure can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on factors such as the location and severity of the diseased tissue. Once a session is complete, you’re typically able to go home shortly afterward.
Cryosurgery is an excellent treatment for a variety of lesions or tumors:
- Warts and other skin tags
- Unwanted freckles
- Actinic keratosis
- Seborrheic keratosis
The Benefits of Cryosurgery
The cryosurgery treatment is quick with only minimal to moderate discomfort, although you may feel periods of itching and slight stinging and/or burning sensations. To make the procedure more comfortable, you can choose to have the treated area(s) numbed with a topical anesthetic before the liquid nitrogen is applied.
Advances in cryotherapy methods and technology mean that side effects are mild and temporary, and they typically include:
- Skin irritation or discoloration
- Numbness or tingling
- Soreness or tenderness
- Blistering
The Pima Dermatology Approach
At Pima Dermatology, before any treatment is undertaken, we examine and consult with you to learn about your concerns and goals. Once these have been addressed and determined, our highly skilled experts safely and effectively perform cryosurgery.
The area may be red, swollen, and sore for up to 24 hours following the treatment, after which a blister and tenderness could develop.
Normally, you can resume your regular schedule in 1-3 days, though it can take longer, depending on how extensive your condition and treatment are. During your healing, you’ll have to keep the treated area clean as well as possibly apply and regularly change bandages to expedite healing.
You also may have to come in for follow-up check-ups to ensure your recovery is going smoothly.
To Learn More about Cryosurgery, Contact Pima Dermatology
Cryosurgery is a minimally invasive procedure that is effective for removing unsightly or potentially harmful skin lesions. If you think you may be a candidate for this procedure, contact the Tucson skin experts at Pima Dermatology. You can contact us online or call our practice.
Next, read about eczema.
