Risks and Side Effects

 

It is important that you are informed about your skin condition and proposed treatment including the potential benefits and risks involved.

 

This disclosure is not meant to scare or alarm you; it is simply an effort to better inform you so that you may give or withhold your consent to the treatment. 

 

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Cryotherapy is a relatively low-risk treatment and side effects and complications are usually minimal. Some side effects may occur as a result of the treatment. These include: 

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Headaches are not uncommon when freezing on the forehead, scalp and temples and can last for 2 hours.

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Pigment changes. Both hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin) and hyperpigmentation (darkening of the

skin). Both generally last a few months, but can be longer lasting.

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Nerve damage. Though rare, damage to nerves is possible, particularly in areas where they lie closer to the surface of the skin, such as the fingers, the wrist, and the area behind the ears. Reports suggest this will disappear within several months.

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A blister may appear in the treated area and can last anything from a few hours to a few days, dependent on the area to be treated.

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Shards of frozen ice. The innovation of Cryotherapy is the direct application of Nitrous Oxide under high pressure (55 bar). This high pressure jet may cause minor shards of frozen ice in the air blown away in a circle of approximately 30cm. They will thaw the moment they would eventually touch healthy skin.

 

Treatments on sites with coarse terminal hair. Hair follicles are easily damaged by Cryosurgery and permanent alopecia is not uncommon. 

 

It is recommended to use a sun block (factor 50) to protect treated areas.