Dr.Deyn | 9 August 2019, reviewed and updated on 9 July 2022

CRYOTHERAPY

WHAT IS CRYOTHERAPY?

Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy or cryosurgery is a highly effective freezing treatment to remove a wide range of benign skin lesions.

Our clinic offers liquid nitrogen cryotherapy/cryosurgery for:

• Removal of actinic keratosis
• Removal of seborrheic keratosis
• Removal of skin tags
• Removal of common viral warts on hands, arms, body and feet
• Removal of genital warts, anal warts, penile warts, vulvar warts
• Removal of molluscum contagiosum
• Removal of dermatofibroma

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND SIDE EFFECTS OF CRYOTHERAPY?

Advantages of this treatment include a short preparation time, can be done on the spot, minimally invasive, minimal or no bleeding, low risk of infection, minimal wound care, minimal or no injectable anesthesia, and no sutures required.

Potential side effects include blister formation and hypopigmentation, but rarely scarring.

Most skin lesions can be treated in a single session, although some may require 2 or 3 treatment sessions.

HOW DOES CRYOTHERAPY WORK?

Liquid nitrogen is the most effective cryogen for clinical use.

Liquid nitrogen works by achieving very low sub-zero freezing temperatures to cause complete destruction of the lesions. The degree of damage depends on the rate of cooling and the minimum temperature achieved. Inflammation develops during the 24 hours after treatment, further contributing to destruction of the lesion through immunologically mediated mechanisms.

The dose of liquid nitrogen and the choice of delivery method depend on the size, tissue type, and depth of the lesion, the area of the body on which the lesion is located and the required depth of freeze.

HOW LONG DOES EACH TREATMENT SESSION TAKE?

Each treatment session is simple and quick and should only take about 15 – 30 minutes.

HOW LONG DOES THE SKIN TAKE TO HEAL?

After each treatment session, the lesions will take about one week to dry up and fall out and the skin should take about another week to dry and heal.

WHAT ARE THE PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE?

After each treatment session, apply the antibiotic cream as prescribed. Wash and clean gently and do not scratch, rub or aggravate the treatment area.

As the skin heals and the scab forms, do not scratch or peel the scab. Allow the scab to fall off naturally or until the skin beneath is healed and dry.

HOW MUCH DOES CRYOTHERAPY COST?

• The cost of each cryotherapy session starts at 3,000 THB (DF 1,200 THB + 1-3 lesions)
• 1 – 3 sessions may be required to ensure complete removal of lesions.
• Additional topical and/or oral medications may be prescribed to supplement the treatment or for wound care.
• HPV vaccination will be encouraged for those who have not been vaccinated. 
  

Can HPV infection be prevented?

Condoms don't guarantee protection from infection. This is because HPV can be transmitted by skin contact with areas not covered by condoms.

One of the best ways to protect yourself from HPV infection is to get the vaccine. The vaccine protects against 4 types of HPV (types 6, 11, 16 and 18) that can cause cancer and genital warts.

When to start?