Patients may experience a mild cold stinging sensation on the skin when the nitrous oxide reaches the targeted area. There might be some residual stinging for a few minutes after the treatment, and the area may be slightly itchy for about 10 minutes post-procedure. Most patients find the extreme freezing temperatures provide an anesthetic effect.

During the procedure, the treated area freezes and turns white. Once it thaws, a flushing occurs, causing the area to turn red, and a welt may form. Within 2-24 hours, the welt may evolve into a blister, which is rare. A crust will subsequently develop over the lesion. After about 7 to 14 days, the crust will naturally fall off, leaving healed skin. The treated area may initially appear lighter or pink, gradually returning to its normal color over a few weeks. For body lesions, healing may take a bit longer. In cases of larger or deeper lesions, a second crust may form, extending the healing process. It’s crucial not to pick at the crust to prevent scarring.

Scarring is rare. Temporary hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) or hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin) may occur after cryotherapy but generally resolve within a few months. Pigment changes are more common in darker skin types.

CryoPen can treat various superficial lesions, including skin tags, pigmentation, age spots, milia, seborrheic keratosis, cherry angioma, and other benign lesions. Proper diagnosis is essential before treatment, and any suspicious lesions should be examined by your General Practitioner to rule out skin cancer.