Cryotherapy

What is cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is a technique where liquid nitrogen is applied to a lesion superficially.
The skin surface may reach -50 degrees during application.
The lesion undergoes inflammation, which is the process that removes part or all of the lesion.

What to expect after treatment

The area will feel itchy initially.
In the next 24hr, there will be an increased blood flow to the area as inflammation begins.
The inflammatory process is variable depending on the person. In most cases, it takes 2-3 weeks for inflammation to finish, leaving a superficial scab.
This scab may take another few weeks to gradually come off naturally.

How to look after your treated area

Try your best not to scratch it despite the itch.
Avoid sun exposure as UV can trigger temporary increase in pigmentation. This will resolve with time but may take a few months.
Do not pick on the scab as it may also stimulate pigment cells to deposit pigmentation.

How effective is cryotherapy as a treatment

As it is a superfical treatment, it is most effective on thin lesions.
Thicker lesions may need multiple treatments.
Repeat treatment may lead to hypopigmentation as the pigment cells may reduce in number.

Cryotherapy and Skin Cancers

When is it used

At Skin Check WA, we use cryotherapy to treat pre-cancerous lesions.
It is not effective in treating established skin cancers and it may delay diagnosis and proper treatment.

Cryotherapy and Seborrhoeic Keratosis

What are "Seb Ks"?

"Seb Ks" are benign superficial skin lesions.
They can appear as tan, brown, or even black, and often have a "stuck-on" appearance.
They are not cancerous.

Treating Seb Ks with Cryotherapy

We do not recommend treating them unless they produce symptoms.
Some patients choose to have cryotherapy to reduce the size and number of their seb Ks.

Cryotherapy and Skin Tags

What are Skin Tags?

Skin Tags are benign superficial skin lesions, often around the neck or under our arms.
Occasionally they are located in the thighs
They are skin coloured, soft and often attached by a thinner stalk
They are not cancerous.

Fees

Currently cryotherapy of pre-cancerous lesions are covered by Medicare. We do not charge a gap for cryotherapy.
As treatment of Seb Ks and Skin Tags are not covered by Medicare, separate private fees apply should you choose to have them treated.
$50 for up to 5 Seb Ks/Skin Tags, with additional $10 for each additional lesion.
Minimum fee of $50