Cryotherapy with CryoPen™
CryoPen™ is a state-of-the-art treatment that uses extreme cold, also known as cryotherapy, emitting a fine jet of super cold Liquid Nitrogen gas under high pressure, to millimetre precision to painlessly and safely destroy lesions on the surface of the skin that are no longer being treated by the NHS.
PRICE
£60 per treatment area
PROCEDURE TIME
15- 30 mins
ANAESTHETIC
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Not required
RESULTS
2- 4 weeks
RISKS & COMPLICATIONS
Minor swelling and irritation
Consultation
Before you come for your appointment, Cat will speak to you on the phone or over a video call to go through the process and she will send you a health questionnaire and information about the treatment by email which you will need to fill and sign and submit so that they return to her. After a thorough medical history is checked, Cat will explain again what happens during the treatment now that you are together. Once you are both satisfied that you fully understand the treatment and aftercare, Cat will ensure that you have signed a consent form and take photos for your medical notes.
What to Expect
Specific pre-treatment information for verrucae and warts:
In the days leading up to your appointment, it is a good idea to give a wart or verrucae a bit of TLC!
The treatment works best when the skin covering these lesions is soft and slightly opened. Follow the steps below to allow the treatment to work effectively:
Soak the lesion in a bowl of warm, soapy water for 20 minutes
With a pumice stone or emery board (nail file), gently scrub the lesion until the skin becomes rough
Am I Suitable
The CryoPen™ is contraindicated in patients with recurrent basal cell cancers; lesions on the lower extremities (i.e., feet, ankles, lower legs) when circulation is in question, especially in patients with diabetes; and lesions in the nasolabial fold or preauricular area (basal cells often are more extensive in this area) will be treated with caution. Cat may ask you to see your GP to assess before treatment is some cases.
This treatment isn’t suitable if there is impaired sensation or circulation, an open wound, Hypersensitivity to cold, recent scar tissue, Raynaud disease (for digit cryotherapy) or if the person is prone to Keloid Scarring.
Damage to hair follicles can occur as they are easily damaged by cryosurgery and permanent alopecia to the treated area is not uncommon so treatment in the hair area will be avoided.
Common Side Effects
Cryotherapy is relatively low risk and side effects, and complications are usually minimal.
Blisters may appear on the treated area but usually disappear after a few hours.
Itching and redness are desired side-effects and will pass withing 12-24 hours.
Headaches are not uncommon when freezing on the forehead, scalp and temples and can last for 2 hours.
Pigment Changes - both hypo (lightening of the skin and hyper (darkening of the skin) pigmentation can last a few months or longer.
Nerve Damage is rare, but possible especially where the nerves are close to the skin surface (fingers, wrist, behind the ear). Reports indicate that this disappears after several months
Aftercare & Treatment FAQ's
General advice for all skin lesions – Please don’t scrub so hard that you make the area sore - you are not trying to open a wound or cause discomfort. Do not pick the treated area at any time after treatment otherwise the area will take longer to heal.
If the area does become tender, you can use Savlon or Germolene twice a day.
For 24 hours after treatment, the area will go darker and develop a crust on the surface. Do not pick this off. When it naturally falls away you will see new skin which is a shiny pink colour. This is not scarring. It will re pigment over the following weeks and could take several months.
The histamine in the area which was treated will create an itchy sensation for between ten and sixty minutes, do not worry this is perfectly normal.