Cryotherapy, or also called cryosurgery, is a treatment used by medical professionals to freeze off skin tags. In this treatment, they use very cold substances like liquid nitrogen to freeze off skin tags, warts, and moles. This process is called localized cryotherapy since it is focused on a particular area or section of the body.
Another type of cryotherapy is Whole Body Cryotherapy or WBC for short. WBC basically is standing in a huge tank that reaches freezing temperatures for several minutes. This new fad is supposed to aid in weight loss, improve sleep, help with pain, and even slow down the aging process.
The process we will be looking at is localized cryotherapy since this technique is used for skin tag removal. Cryotherapy or cryosurgery is an extremely effective skin tag removal treatment. There are many other benign skin growths that can also be removed by cryosurgery.
Other skin growths that can be removed with cryotherapy are:
- Viral wart
- Dermatofibroma
- Actinic Keratosis
- Solar Lentigo
- Molluscum Contagiosum
It is recommended that cryotherapy be done in a non-hair growing area.
Cryotherapy has been around for 100 years. Before liquid nitrogen became the norm in the 1940s, doctor’s used liquid air and compressed carbon dioxide snow. Now liquid nitrogen is used and is the most popular cryogen.
There are three different methods for liquid nitrogen application for cryotherapy.
The first is very popular, it is called the cotton-tip applicator method which uses a cotton swab to apply the liquid nitrogen onto the benign skin growth.
However, a new technique is becoming increasingly popular, it is called the spray method. This uses a spray to apply the liquid nitrogen. The equipment is very easy to use.
The last technique is called the cryoprobe, which uses a metal probe to spot treat the skin tag with a direct applicator.
Is liquid nitrogen safe?
Liquid nitrogen is essentially nitrogen in a liquid form. It has an extremely low temperature. It is a colorless, clear, liquid. Lots of precaution and care should be used when handling liquid nitrogen. Liquid nitrogen can cause rapid freezing when it makes contact to living tissue. This is why it makes such a great treatment to remove skin tags. At the doctor’s you will notice they are probably wearing special gloves. That is because special care is taken when handling this material. Liquid nitrogen is a topical aid only, not to be ingested.
In order to get rid of skin tags and other benign lesions, it requires treatment at temperatures of −4°F to −22°F or -20°C to −30°C.
Liquid nitrogen can quickly reach temperatures of −13°F to −58°F or −25°C to −50°C.
How does liquid nitrogen freeze off the skin tag?
Liquid nitrogen works because of the temperature it is able to reach when applied to treat the skin tag. Liquid nitrogen causes intracellular ice formation within the tissue of the skin tag or wart, which combined with the inflammation that takes place after the treatment is the perfect combo to eliminate skin growths.
There are a few things considered before the dose and delivery method of liquid nitrogen are chosen.
- Area of the body where skin tag is located
- Size of the skin tag
The different type of liquid nitrogen spray methods are:
- Timed spot freeze
- Direct spray technique
- Paintbrush Method
- Rotary or Spiral Pattern
Freeze Off! – Liquid Nitrogen Application Techniques
Timed spot freeze technique is one of the first techniques learned by physicians during cryosurgery. The timed spot freeze technique applies a constant amount of liquid nitrogen to the skin tag for a timed amount. The “freezing time” depends on the size of the skin tag, where its located, skin thickness, etc. The equipment used is a small spray gun that holds about 500 mL of liquid nitrogen.
During the treatment, the spray gun nozzle is held about 1.5-2 cm away from the skin, aimed at the skin tag. The spray gun is then used, spraying liquid nitrogen on the skin tag. The timed spot freeze technique is perfect for skin tags that are about 2 cm in size. During application, an open funnel is placed so that the spray of liquid nitrogen is directed at the skin tag.
For larger skin tags, the direct spray, rotary or spiral pattern, or paintbrush method can be used. They are better used for treating larger skin tags.
More on the Cryoprobe
A cryoprobe is another way to remove skin tags on the body. Cryoprobes come in different sizes. They are applied directly to the lesion. During application, a bit of gel is applied to be the only buffer between the probe and direct skin contact.
Cryoprobes are especially helpful in treatments on the face and eyelids where spraying liquid nitrogen is not possible or in a dangerous location.
Best Places for Cryotherapy:
- Eyes & Eyelids – cryoprobes are especially beneficial to this area
- Neck
- Underarm
- Face
- Under the breasts, nipple
- Groin
- Anus
Pros of Cryotherapy:
- Low risk of infection
- Short preparation time
- Single Session Treatment – large skin growths could take several treatments
- Minimal after removal wound care
- No need for anesthesia or expensive supplies
- No sutures – patient doesn’t have to go back to doctor after process is done
Side Effects:
- Blister
- Bleeding
- Hair loss
- Headache/Head pain – removal area on the head
- Hypopigmentation – loss of skin color
- In very rare cases – scarring
Using cryotherapy will make your skin tag and your skin tag troubles disappear! However, getting the procedure done at the doctor or dermatologist’s office can be expensive. There will be a pretty large bill as it is a per skin tag charge. Your insurance company will probably not cover the cost of the removal either.
Best At Home Kits to Freeze Off Skin Tags:
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Doctor’s Touch Medical Freezing Kit
Doctor’s Touch Medical freezing kit includes the medical freeze spray, medical swabs, and skin tag speculum. What exactly is a skin tag speculum? It is used to direct the treatment at the skin tag and pinpoint the medical freeze spray at the skin tag. The freeze spray reaches -60℉ in 3 seconds flat.The medical swabs included are exactly what they have at the doctor’s office, pharmaceutical grade foam swabs. They can be frozen to -60℉ and the swab doesn’t fall apart or shred. This is an ideal treatment for skin tags, warts, and moles. Freeze off your skin tags with Doctor’s Touch.
Check out the Price for Doctor’s Touch Medical Ice Bundle at Amazon!
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Dr. Scholl’s Freeze Away Wart Remover
This at home removal kit comes complete with 7 treatments. Dr. Scholl’s Freeze Away Wart Removal is rated the #1 Freeze Away Wart Remover. This product is mainly for warts – common and plantar warts. It is a freeze therapy, doctor-proven technique. Dr. Scholl’s Freeze away quickly freezes the wart, breaking down the tissues. The techniques are similar to freezing treatments used by doctor’s. This is an OTC treatment. You can remove warts with as little as 1 treatment.
Check out the Price for Dr. Scholl’s Freeze Away Wart Remover at Amazon!
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Best-Element Super Freeze Spray
Best-Element Super Freeze Spray is a multi-purpose, medical freeze. It can reach temperatures of -65 °F. Best-Element Super Freeze Spray is made in the USA. Skin tag removal should be done by a licensed professional as this spray is fast acting and freezes tissue instantly. This item comes with a 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee or YOUR MONEY BACK!
Check out the Price of Best-Element Super Freeze Spray at Amazon!
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Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) Sprayer
This spray comes complete with 9 heads and an empty 500mL tank. The Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) sprayer is lightweight and convenient for professionals. It is also easy to use! Warning:This tank should be used by professionals.
The Sprayer comes with 9 interchangeable heads for precision application. The applicator is made of double layer stainless steel and has been developed to be anti-explosion, anti-crack and anti-rust for safe and effective skin tag and wart removal. Please note that liquid nitrogen is not included in the purchase. Liquid Nitrogen will have to be purchased separately.
It is important before you do any treatments to make sure you properly identify the skin growth – if it is a skin tag or if it is a wart.
Skin tags are small flaps of skin colored tissue that hang off the body by a smaller connective tissue called a stalk. They are soft, skin growths. They are called acrochordons in the medical world and others refer to them as “skin tabs”.
A wart is a small, rough, cauliflower-looking hard growth that is similar in color to the surrounding skin. They are painless growths and typically find their way to the hands, face, and feet.
Cryotherapy Works on Warts?
There are some warts that are extra strength and are resistant to the normal over-the-counter topical wart removal treatments that are commonly used. These warts can be treated with cryosurgery. For small flat warts, a light spray technique is used. This helps to avoid hypopigmentation, the loss of skin color.
There are other great wart and skin tag removal treatments that you can try at home and are shipped directly to your door. Pristine Health’s Wart & Mole Vanish Skin Tag Remover is an amazing product with top results. All it takes is a one time, all natural application.
There are a bunch of all natural skin tag removal treatments that you can do from items found around the house. You can check out our review page for the top over the counter skin tag removal treatments here.
**This is not medical advice, please consult with a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
