The concept of using the cold to treat ailments has been around for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians used the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of cold for their remedies. Cold treatments have rapidly evolved since then, morphing from simple applications like hydrotherapy to today’s modern cryosurgery (thanks to the introduction of liquid nitrogen). Today, cryosurgery can be found as a popular treatment in many kinds of medical offices. Used in everything from acne remedies to cancer treatments, cryosurgery provides a surprisingly adaptable way to treat skin issues.
What Is Cryosurgery?
Cryosurgery, sometimes referred to as cryotherapy, is a type of surgery that involves the use of liquid nitrogen to destroy skin lesions. This quick method of removing lesions is a minimally invasive treatment. It is typically used for removing issues on the surface of the skin, such as warts, cancerous lesions, thick patches of skin and more.
Used at a temperature between -346 and -320°F, liquid nitrogen is applied to the surface of the skin long enough to freeze the affected skin. By freezing the skin, a blister is created underneath the lesion. As the new skin forms underneath the blister, the abnormal skin on top of the blister will peel off, leaving a cleaner area. As a dermatological treatment, cryosurgery can be recommended for the following:
- Precancerous skin conditions and early-stage skin cancers, including squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma
- Skin conditions like warts, skin tags or dark spots
- Age-related lesions such as benign warts
- Angiomas (blood vessel growths)
- Sebaceous hyperplasia (oil gland moles)
- Fibromas and other skin tags
- Treatment for sun-damaged skin and acne
Benefits of Cryosurgery
As a versatile and efficient way to treat skin issues, cryosurgery has become a mainstay treatment in the medical world. Cryosurgery provides a host of benefits to dermatology patients, including:
- Fast recovery time: Cryosurgery can be done quickly in a general office, without open surgery. As a result, most people recover quickly from the procedure and with little pain.
- Minimally invasive: On the whole, cryosurgery is less traumatic than open surgery, with minimal damage to healthy tissue.
- Minimal scarring: For the treatment of skin lesions, cryosurgery offers a clean treatment that causes minimal scar tissue.
- Cost-effective: Since cryosurgery does not require a lengthy hospital stay or instrument-heavy surgery, it provides more affordable treatment for many.
Although the medical jury might still be out on whole-body cryotherapy, cryosurgery has found a place in dermatology and medical offices the world over. This treatment provides a valuable — and safer — alternative therapy for various skin diseases and some skin cancers. If you’re ready to add cryosurgery to your own dermatology offerings, consider CalOx for your liquid nitrogen needs. We specialize in providing liquid nitrogen for dermatology offices. From regular deliveries to storage, delivery and handling equipment, and training and maintenance, we take the hassle out of using liquid nitrogen in your business. Contact us today for a quote!
Sources:
https://450derm.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Cryosurgery-after-care.pdf
https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/cryo
https://www.epiphanydermatology.com/services/cryosurgery/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1281398/