Uses of Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is commonly used for skin growths or patches that don’t look like the rest of your skin. These can be:
- Benign: A small bump, raised area, lump under the skin, mole, cyst, or patch of non-cancerous skin.
- Actinic Keratosis: skin patches that can become cancerous.
- Superficial Skin Cancers: They appear on the surface of your skin.
Cryotherapy helps to treat these growths and patches while minimizing damage to the surrounding skin and reducing scarring.
Post-Cryotherapy Skin Recovery
After cryotherapy, the treated area will turn red and swell or form a blister. It’s important not to pop the blister. You might notice some clear liquid coming from the treated area, which is normal. The area usually heals within 7 to 10 days and is unlikely to leave a scar.
Tips to Speed Up Healing from Cryotherapy
After using liquid nitrogen, the treated area will turn red and might form a scab or blister. This is usual. Don’t try to remove the blister or scab or peel off the head of the blister.
- Cleaning the Treated Area
It’s okay to shower or bathe normally after your treatment. Use warm water and mild soap to gently clean the area, then pat it dry. Apply Vaseline or Aquaphor to the area 1-2 times a day. You don’t have to cover the area with a Band-Aid, but you can if you want to. - Treatment for Skin Tags
If you were told you have a seborrheic keratosis or skin tag, these are harmless and are only treated if they cause symptoms or for cosmetic reasons. It’s unnecessary to completely remove these spots, but if they don’t fully go away, you can return for more treatment. - Treatment for Actinic Keratosis
If you were told you have an actinic keratosis, keep an eye on the area to ensure it fully heals over the next 2-4 weeks. If it doesn’t improve or if you still feel pain or roughness, call our office to schedule a follow-up appointment for more treatment.
Actinic keratoses can turn into skin cancer if left untreated. Because of this risk, it’s recommended to have a skin check every 6 to 12 months (or more often if your provider suggests it). To prevent scarring or discoloration, avoid sun exposure and use sunscreen.
Concluding Thoughts
There’s nothing special you can do to speed up healing from cryotherapy. However, seek medical help if you notice any signs of infection, fever, or persistent pain.
Visit our primary care expert, Hujefa Y. Vora, at Bima, MD. Our doctor provides safe and pain-free skin tag removal via advanced techniques to address your cosmetic concerns. Call us at (817) 784-0052 to make an appointment.