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Ask our Doctors

Skin Renewal Doctors all have a broad knowledge, background and passion for aesthetic medicine. Please feel free to ask them your questions and concerns.

Treatments

If numerous sun spots are present especially in severely sun damaged individuals with precancerous lesions also know as Actinic Keratoses, a superior treatment PDT/ALA is recommended as this destroys the cancerous cells.

For an aesthetic result without Actinic Keratoses, medium depth chemical peel that has a downtime of 7 to 10 days offers significant improvement in skin texture, pigmentation as well as treatment of AKs. It contains a combination of Lactic acid; Salicylic acid; Resorcinol; TCA and Vitamin A.

frequently asked
questions

Are Cryotherapy treatments available at all Skin Renewal branches?
What is Cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy is a technique that uses an extremely cold liquid or instrument to freeze and destroy abnormal skin cells that require removal. The technique has been in use since the turn of the century, but modern techniques have made it widely available to dermatologists and primary care doctors. The technique is also called cryosurgery.

What conditions can cryotherapy treat?

Cryotherapy can be employed to destroy a variety of benign skin growths, such as warts and age spots, pre-cancerous lesions (such as actinic keratoses), and malignant lesions (such as basal cell and squamous cell cancers). The goal of cryotherapy is to freeze and destroy targeted skin growths while preserving the surrounding skin from injury.

What are the typical areas that are treated?

Cryotherapy is not recommended for certain areas of the body because of the danger of destruction of tissue or unacceptable scarring. These areas include: skin that overlies nerves, the corners of the eyes, the fold of skin between the nose and lip, the skin surrounding the nostrils, and the border between the lips and the rest of the face.

Lesions that are suspected or known to be malignant melanoma should not be treated with cryotherapy, but should instead be removed surgically. Similarly, basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas that have reappeared at the site of a previously treated tumor should also be removed surgically. If it remains unclear whether a growth is benign or malignant, a sample of tissue should be removed for analysis (biopsy) by a pathologist before any attempts to destroy the lesion with cryotherapy.

Care should be taken in people with diabetes or certain circulation problems when cryotherapy is considered for growths located on their lower legs, ankles, and feet. In these patients, healing can be poor and the risk of infection can be higher than for other patients.

How does Cryotherapy work?

There are two main techniques to performing cryotherapy. In the simplest technique, usually reserved for warts and other benign skin growths, the physician will dip a cotton swab or other applicator into a cup containing a "cryogen," such as liquid nitrogen, and apply it directly to the skin growth to freeze it. At a temperature of -320 deg F (-196 deg C), liquid nitrogen is the coldest cryogen available. The goal is to freeze the skin growth as quickly as possible, and then let it thaw slowly to cause maximum destruction of the skin cells. A second application may be necessary depending on the size of the growth.

In another cryotherapy technique, a device is used to direct a small spray of liquid nitrogen or other cryogen directly onto the skin growth. Freezing may last from five to 20 seconds, depending on the size of the lesion. A second freeze-thaw cycle may be required.

What To Expect after Cryotherapy?

Redness, swelling, and the formation of a blister at the site of cryotherapy are all expected results of the treatment. A gauze dressing is applied and patients should wash the site three or four times daily while fluid continues to ooze from the wound, usually for five to 14 days. A dry crust then forms that falls off by itself. Wounds on the head and neck may take four to six weeks to heal, but those on the body, arms, and legs can take longer. Some patients experience pain at the site following the treatment. This can usually be eased with Panado, though in some cases a stronger pain reliever such as Stopayne may be required.

Is Cryotherapy safe?

Cryotherapy poses little risk and can be well-tolerated by elderly and other patients who are not good candidates for other surgical procedures. As with other surgical procedures, there is some risk of scarring, infection, and damage to underlying skin and tissue.This is especially true of areas that keloids easily such as the decollte ( chest) area and the hands and lower forearms. These risks are generally minimal in the hands of experienced users of cryotherapy.

Although cryotherapy is a relatively low risk procedure, some side effects may occur as a result of the treatment. They include:

  • Infection. Though uncommon, infection is more likely on the lower legs where healing can take several months.
  • Pigmentary changes. Both hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin) and hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) are possible after cryotherapy. Both generally last a few months, but can be longer lasting.
  • Keloid formation on the chest area.
  • Nerve damage. Though rare, damage to nerves is possible, particularly in areas where they lie closer to the surface of the skin, such as the fingers, the wrist, and the area behind the ear. Reports suggest this will disappear within several months.

Frequently asked questions

Are Cryotherapy treatments available at all Skin Renewal branches?
What is Cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy is a technique that uses an extremely cold liquid or instrument to freeze and destroy abnormal skin cells that require removal. The technique has been in use since the turn of the century, but modern techniques have made it widely available to dermatologists and primary care doctors. The technique is also called cryosurgery.

What conditions can cryotherapy treat?

Cryotherapy can be employed to destroy a variety of benign skin growths, such as warts and age spots, pre-cancerous lesions (such as actinic keratoses), and malignant lesions (such as basal cell and squamous cell cancers). The goal of cryotherapy is to freeze and destroy targeted skin growths while preserving the surrounding skin from injury.

What are the typical areas that are treated?

Cryotherapy is not recommended for certain areas of the body because of the danger of destruction of tissue or unacceptable scarring. These areas include: skin that overlies nerves, the corners of the eyes, the fold of skin between the nose and lip, the skin surrounding the nostrils, and the border between the lips and the rest of the face.

Lesions that are suspected or known to be malignant melanoma should not be treated with cryotherapy, but should instead be removed surgically. Similarly, basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas that have reappeared at the site of a previously treated tumor should also be removed surgically. If it remains unclear whether a growth is benign or malignant, a sample of tissue should be removed for analysis (biopsy) by a pathologist before any attempts to destroy the lesion with cryotherapy.

Care should be taken in people with diabetes or certain circulation problems when cryotherapy is considered for growths located on their lower legs, ankles, and feet. In these patients, healing can be poor and the risk of infection can be higher than for other patients.

How does Cryotherapy work?

There are two main techniques to performing cryotherapy. In the simplest technique, usually reserved for warts and other benign skin growths, the physician will dip a cotton swab or other applicator into a cup containing a "cryogen," such as liquid nitrogen, and apply it directly to the skin growth to freeze it. At a temperature of -320 deg F (-196 deg C), liquid nitrogen is the coldest cryogen available. The goal is to freeze the skin growth as quickly as possible, and then let it thaw slowly to cause maximum destruction of the skin cells. A second application may be necessary depending on the size of the growth.

In another cryotherapy technique, a device is used to direct a small spray of liquid nitrogen or other cryogen directly onto the skin growth. Freezing may last from five to 20 seconds, depending on the size of the lesion. A second freeze-thaw cycle may be required.

What To Expect after Cryotherapy?

Redness, swelling, and the formation of a blister at the site of cryotherapy are all expected results of the treatment. A gauze dressing is applied and patients should wash the site three or four times daily while fluid continues to ooze from the wound, usually for five to 14 days. A dry crust then forms that falls off by itself. Wounds on the head and neck may take four to six weeks to heal, but those on the body, arms, and legs can take longer. Some patients experience pain at the site following the treatment. This can usually be eased with Panado, though in some cases a stronger pain reliever such as Stopayne may be required.

Is Cryotherapy safe?

Cryotherapy poses little risk and can be well-tolerated by elderly and other patients who are not good candidates for other surgical procedures. As with other surgical procedures, there is some risk of scarring, infection, and damage to underlying skin and tissue.This is especially true of areas that keloids easily such as the decollte ( chest) area and the hands and lower forearms. These risks are generally minimal in the hands of experienced users of cryotherapy.

Although cryotherapy is a relatively low risk procedure, some side effects may occur as a result of the treatment. They include:

  • Infection. Though uncommon, infection is more likely on the lower legs where healing can take several months.
  • Pigmentary changes. Both hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin) and hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) are possible after cryotherapy. Both generally last a few months, but can be longer lasting.
  • Keloid formation on the chest area.
  • Nerve damage. Though rare, damage to nerves is possible, particularly in areas where they lie closer to the surface of the skin, such as the fingers, the wrist, and the area behind the ear. Reports suggest this will disappear within several months.
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Program worked very well for me, I am motivated. Receive many compliments on my new appearnace. Will definatly recommend this program and my friendly nurse - Liana

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Abigail is such a divine therapist - always making an effort to make sure I'm comfortable. she is very skilled and I appreciate her professionalim. It's an absolute dream having my treatments here.

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I came in to receive Cryotherapy and did not knwo what to expect as it was my first time receiving any treatment of this kind. The therapist made me feel very comfortable and despite mild pain it was a very pleasant experience.

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Melissa is nothing short of brilliant! She is extremely professional and works quickly and (relatively) painlessly while at the same time being so friendly and chatty that the treatment passes in a flash. I would really recommend Melissa to anyone looking to endure the torture of Carboxy. Overall, the staff at Skin Renewal Cape Quarter were all lovely, very helpful and welcoming.

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Therapist, treatment, Nicole is well informed, professional and friendly as well as knowledgeable. An absolute pleasure to deal with. Nicole is one of your very best therapists. You are lucky to have her.

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