Further information 

How does the cryotherapy work? The applicator is held closely to the skin and nitrous oxide is released for between 2 and 30 seconds, depending on the size and depth of the lesion. This destroys the tissue by freezing the inter-cellular fluid, forming ice shards and crystals which rupture the membrane destroying the cells. That means there will be no collateral damage to healthy tissue. It’s so incredibly accurate and practical.

Is there pain with the procedure? There will be a mild sensation similar to a stinging nettle on the skin. There might be a little residual stinging for a few minutes after treatment and the area can be slightly itchy for up to an hour after the procedure. Headaches are not uncommon when freezing on the forehead, scalp and temples and can last up to 2-hours. However for most this dissipates after just a few minutes. 

What does the area look like after treatment?  After Treatment a flushing occurs and the area will turn red, this is a natural inflammatory response and required to aid the process to begin.  It can remain red for up to 24 hours. You may also see a blister form at the treatment site. This is normal and will eventually heal on its own and should not be touched or burst. The treated area will scab over within 1-2 weeks, eventually falling off,  to reveal new, healthy skin beneath. This whole process can take up 6-weeks or 8-weeks if older. The skin may appear lighter in colour or pink and shiny, this is not scarring and will return to its normal colour over a period of a few weeks. Please ensure a sunblock factor 50 is used at all times to prevent darker pigmentation forming. 

Skin tags will turn darker at the base and will dry up and fall off over 1 to 6 weeks as the skin heals beneath them. For larger and deeper lesions a second crust may form making the healing time slightly longer. Although it is best to try to leave the treated area uncovered, a plaster or simple dressing may be applied if it is in an area which may lead to rubbing and aggravation. It is important not to pick at the crust as this may lead to scarring.

Will there be scarring? Rarely. Both hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) and hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin) may occur temporarily after cryotherapy. Both generally last for a maximum of a few months. Pigment change is more common in darker skin types.

What areas can be treated? Many different superficial skin lesions can be treated with cryotherapy including skin tags, cherry spots, milia, viral warts/verrucas, seborrhoeic keratosis, and benign moles. It is essential that a correct diagnosis is made before treatment as I do not treat any cancerous lesions. These need to be appropriately managed and followed up in the NHS. If a lesion looks suspicious of skin cancer, you will be advised to seek advice from your GP and to enable treatment, you will require written documentation that the lesion is benign and is suitable for removal (letter template for GP available on request).

How permanent is the cure? For most lesions, cryotherapy is permanent removal. Some lesions are harder to remove than others. In more delicate places e.g. the eye area, a shorter freeze time with a repeat procedure may be required to get a final result with the least damage to the surrounding skin. In other instances a deep lesion e.g. a verruca or a wart may take several aggressive treatments to get final results.

Can anyone have cryotherapy? Most people can have Cryotherapy, however there are a few contra-indications for those whose healing may be compromised. Please see the contra-indications page.  There are also some precautions which do not mean you can not have the treatment but an assessment of risk and aftercare instructions will be given at your consultation. You will be required to sign a full consent form. 

What if I have darker skin? Repeated short freezing cycles of 3 to 6 seconds at two week intervals are recommended if you have a darker skin type. For very dark skinned people, you may not want to have cryotherapy, as it will kill the melanocytes around the treated area, making the skin in that area a little lighter.

Can I have the treatment in the summer? The treatment can be performed at any time of the year. During the summer months, a sun protection factor 50 (SPF50) must be applied at least 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every 4-hours.

Aftercare? During the healing time you may shower as normal and use cosmetics, including make-up, deodorant and moisturising creams. You should not take Ibuprofen for 24 hours but can take paracetamol if required. You should also refrain from taking any antihistamines for a week following on from your treatment. 

If necessary,  a follow-up appointment will be scheduled for 4-6 weeks following your treatment to review the results and assess whether any further treatment is required. Any treatments performed at review appointments are free of charge, with the exception of  pre-agreed treatment plans which require more than one session. e.g. warts/large skin lesions.

How does the advanced electrolysis work? Advanced electrolysis uses a small, fine needle that is inserted into the skin to deliver electrical energy to the targeted area. The electrical energy is used to destroy or remove the unwanted skin growths, such as hair follicles, blood vessels, or other benign lesions.

Is there pain with the procedure?  Subject to suitability and the area being treated, local anaesthetic will be applied/injected to the surface of the area to make the procedure pain free. 

What does the area look like after treatment? After treatment the area will look a little red and swollen, and dependant on what is being treated you may have a small graze or wound. This is normal and over  48-72 hours a scab will form. Soothing antiseptic gel will be applied to the area and if necessary your wound will be covered with a waterproof dressing which needs to remain in place for 48 hours.

After this time it is best to try to leave the treated area uncovered,  but a plaster or simple dressing may be applied if it is in an area which may lead to rubbing and aggravation. It is important not to pick at the crust as this may lead to scarring.

Will there be scarring? There is a very low risk of scarring as most lesions are superficially removed.  Larger raised imperfections such as seborrhoeic keratosis, warts or benign moles may leave a small scar.  It is also dependant on how well you would normally heal following a cut or wound. The risk of scarring increases if you do not follow the aftercare leaflet given to you to reduce your risk of infection. 

What areas can be treated? Many different superficial skin lesions can be treated with advanced electrolysis including skin tags, cherry angionoma/spots, milia, viral warts, seborrhoeic keratosis, telangiectasia/thread veins and benign moles. It is essential that a correct diagnosis is made before treatment as I do not treat any cancerous lesions. These need to be  appropriately managed and followed up in the NHS. If a lesion looks suspicious of skin cancer, you will be advised to seek advice from your GP and to enable treatment, you will require written documentation that the lesion is benign and is suitable for removal (letter template for GP available on request).

How permanent is the cure? For most lesions, advanced electrolysis is a permanent removal. Some warts & benign moles may require a second treatment to fully remove.

Can anyone have advanced electrolysis ? Most people can have advanced electrolysis, however there are a few contra-indications for those whose healing may be compromised. Please see the contra-indications page. There are also some precautions which do not mean you can not have the treatment but an assessment of risk and aftercare instructions will be given at your consultation. You will be required to sign a full consent form. 

What if I have darker skin? For some clients with darker skin, dependant on the lesion being treated, advanced electolysis may not be suitable  as during the healing process the skin in that area may turn lighter or white.

Can I have the treatment in the summer? The treatment can be performed at any time of the year. During the summer months, a sun protection factor 50 (SPF50) must be applied at least 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every 4-hours.

Aftercare? After treatment small scabs may form within 48 hours, leave these DRY and to heal on their own, avoid any contamination that could cause infection. Ensure the area is kept free of cleansers, toners, moisturisers or make up until the scabs have formed. Avoid heat/sauna and swimming baths for up to 72 hours 

Most imperfections will be removed during a single treatment session with the exception of pre-agreed treatment plans which require more than one session. e.g. warts/large skin lesions. If necessary, a follow-up appointment will be scheduled for 6 weeks after your treatment to review the results and if  further treatment is required this is at the cost of an additional cost of £50.