Cryotherapy | Cryopen

cryopen face

Cryotherapy treatment uses extreme cold to painlessly destroy imperfections you might have. These imperfections may include unwanted moles, warts, skin tags, or keloids.  At Refine Clinic we use the top-of-the-line Cryotherapy tool the CryoPen.

The CryoPen emits a fine jet of nitrous oxide under high pressure, which allows Dr. Natalia to work with millimeter precision. This cryotherapy tool destroys the tissue by freezing the inter-cellular fluid, forming ice shards and crystals which rupture the membrane, thereby destroying the cell. It’s so incredibly accurate, that there is no collateral damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Follow-up treatment may be required.

Because cryotherapy doesn’t use scalpels or chemicals, there is no need for an anesthetic. The removal of moles or lesions is virtually painless with little or no scarring. The CryoPen safely, effectively, and painlessly removes the following:

  • Benign lesions
  • Removal of actinic keratoses
  • Seborrhoeic keratoses
  • Viral warts
  • Treatment of basal cell carcinomas

Also, Cryotherapy is excellent for athletes as it helps to treat problems such as tissue damage, reduces inflammation, and even increases cell rejuvenation.

Benefits of Cryopen

  • Freezing tissue without the use of cryogenic liquids or gases, such as liquid nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or nitrous oxide.
  • No exposure to dangerous cryogenic gases or liquids.
  • Quiet, patient-friendly, low risk procedure.
  • Immediate treatment without referral.
  • Simple, safe, and effective treatment.

The Cryotherapy Procedure

  • During the procedure, the area freezes and turns white. After this white area thaws, a flushing occurs and the area will turn red. This thawing is associated with a pinching sensation as a wheal is formed. This wheal will typically turn into a blister which may last for 3 to 5 days before it scabs. The scab will fall off within 2 weeks.Depending on the extent of freeze, a new scab may form and repeat the process. The lesion will be completely healed in 2 to 6 weeks. After primary healing occurs, the area will be lighter than the surrounding area due to loss of melanocytes (melanin producing cells which are primarily responsible for skin color).

How are Tissues Destroyed?

Cell destruction occurs when a cell is rapidly brought down to a very low temperature and ice crystals form. The ice crystals destroy the cell organelles and protein matrixes. Water then rushes into the surrounding area, causing a blister and a disruption of the local blood supply. This blister forms 2‐24 hours after being frozen. Blisters may take several days to dissolve. Once a blister breaks, a crust will form over the lesion. Healing occurs from 1 to 6 weeks, depending on depth of freeze and size of lesion.

The CryoPen requires no anaesthetic and has less scarring than other techniques of skin lesion removal with minimal post‐treatment care.

Before & After

Cryotherapy is suitable for men and women. Below are some of the results that clients will achieve. Remember, every client is different and results will vary. This is why we always have a consultation with our patients before going ahead with treatments so that the patient is aware of the results he or she may get – or not get.

Cryopen Before 01 Cryopen After 01 

mole-surgery-11

Post Treatment Advice

  • A skin growth that increases in size and appears pearly, translucent, tan, brown, black, or multicolored.
  • A mole, birthmark, beauty mark, or any brown spot that:
  • changes color
  • increases in size or thickness
  • changes in texture
  • is irregular in outline
  • is bigger than 6mm, the size of a pencil eraser
  • appears after age 21
  1. A spot or sore that continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab, erode, or bleed. An open sore that does not heal within three weeks
  2. Any lesion or spot that may be of concern to you, no matter how small. Please feel reassured that we are here to help and any concern of yours, is a concern of ours.

Typically treatment with The CryoPen leaves the least amount of scarring of any form of lesion removal because it causes the least damage to the connective tissue. A hypo‐pigmented lesion will be noted until it darkens with new tanning.

There are no limitations on activity except to protect the treated area from damage or abrasion. Activity should be limited as one would for a second degree burn with a blister. Dr. Bratu will discuss post-treatment care with you at your consultation.

Keep it protected best as possible and do not break the blister. If you have any queries post-treatment please contact us and we will advise you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dr. Natalia Bratu will be looking after you. During your consultation please feel free to bring to her attention any lesions or spots that may be of concern to you.

You will have a full consultation with Dr. Natalia Bratu to assess your suitability for treatment. At your consultation you will have the opportunity to discuss areas of concern, your pre-treatment care, the results you expect post-treatment, and your post-treatment care. A full medical history will be taken which is completely confidential. It is important to give full disclosure of any medication you are taking so that you will get the best results possible.

The use of The CryoPen is a safe and effective procedure therefore it is suitable for most patients. People with high levels of cry globulins (proteins which occur in the blood in certain disorders) should be treated with caution.

If you have really dark skin, you may not want to have cryosurgery, as it will kill the melanocytes around the treated area, making the skin in that area lighter.

All melanomas and recurrent basal cell carcinomas.

Melanoma can spread by any of several means including local, lymphatic and blood.

Additionally, melanoma will change to a much more aggressive form if part of the lesion is left behind undetected.

Basal cell carcinoma is typically spread by local extension and you may need more extensive surgery if recurrence is suspected.

  • Warts/plantar warts (verruca)
  • Skin tags
  • Keloids
  • Lentigo
  • Dermatofibroma
  • Seborrheic keratosis
  • Non-recurrent basal cell
  • Molluscum

Actinic keratosis – caused by the sun, and occur on body areas that have been exposed to sunlight. These growths are more common among pale-skinned, fair-haired, light-eyed individuals. These are pre-cancerous, which means they may become cancerous. Any raised, reddish, rough-textured growth should be examined by your GP.

Yes. Children are most commonly treated for Nevi and Molluscum contagiosum with the CryoPen.

Since melanocytes are the most sensitive cell type, persons with dark pigmentation or prolonged freeze times in any individual may cause extremely long colour recovery or permanent colour loss, even after the lesion is healed in other respects.