What Is Cryosurgery?

Cryosurgery uses extremely cold temperatures to destroy abnormal tissue and treat several skin conditions. Also called cryotherapy or cryoablation, cryosurgery uses argon gas or liquid nitrogen to treat tumors, warts, acne, skin cancers, seborrheic keratoses, and other skin abnormalities.

BENEFITS

There are many advantages to using cryosurgery to treat skin conditions. For starters, it is a non-invasive procedure with minimal scarring and discomfort. It often requires no hospital stay and may be done using local anesthesia or, in some cases, not at all. This makes cryosurgery an ideal choice for those who want to minimize downtime and recovery time. In addition, dermatologists are able to focus on precise treatment areas avoiding damage to nearby healthy tissues.

SIDE EFFECTS

While cryosurgery is an effective treatment for skin conditions, there are some potential side effects to be aware of. However, these side effects are typically rare and less severe than those of traditional treatments. Side effects of cryosurgery may include:

  • Scarring
  • Swelling
  • Scabbing
  • Nerve damage
  • Loss of skin pigment

How It Works

When using cryosurgery to treat skin conditions, your dermatologist will apply liquid nitrogen directly on the affected area using a cotton swab or spraying device. This causes the cold liquid nitrogen to freeze and kill abnormal skin cells.

 

Cryosurgery is an effective treatment for basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, and benign lesions like warts or moles. It may also be used to treat acne and diminish acne scars by reducing inflammation and removing dead skin cells from the epidermis. Cold temperatures also kill bacteria that cause acne, helping to reduce flare-ups.

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