This usually correlates to approximately 20 to 40 seconds of freeze for skin lesions. Areas treated with cryotherapy usually heal with minimal or no scar formation and there is no anesthesia required as freezing the tissue in itself provides anesthesia. Patients usually appreciate not having sutures and being able to swim, bathe, and carry on normal activity during the healing period. Secondary infection is not a problem unless excessive trauma is encountered or the patient practices very poor hygiene. Pigmentation may be decreased and hair and sweat glands may be destroyed in the immediate freeze area.
Hypopigmentation is especially a problem for patients with a dark complexion.
Scarring and pigmentary changes may be minimized by applying an appropriate depth of freeze. A potential disadvantage of this technique is that since it is ablative rather than excisional, there is no specimen available for pathologic study. Repeat freeze-thaw cycle once. Cotton-tipped applicator Place desired amount of liquid nitrogen in a vacuum container and loosely secure opening. Using a cotton-tipped applicator, dip into liquid nitrogen and place on the lesion.