Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is used for benign lesions like actinic keratoses and seborrhoeic keratoses, as well as for treating small, superficial skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma on certain body areas.

Yes, cryotherapy should not be used on undiagnosed lesions, melanoma, lesions requiring pathology, areas with compromised circulation, dark-skinned patients, or those with conditions worsened by cold.

It employs a cryogen to cool the lesion to sub-zero temperatures, causing tissue necrosis and damage through thawing-induced osmolarity changes.

Immediate side effects include pain, blistering, and edema. Delayed effects might involve bleeding, ulceration, and possibly permanent skin changes like hypopigmentation or scarring.