When you have skin growths that you want removed for cosmetic reasons or lesions that pose a health risk, there are a few different options. One of the less invasive treatments for skin growths is cryotherapy performed with liquid nitrogen. This is an outpatient procedure that has fewer risks than surgery, but it is only recommended for certain conditions. At MJR Dermatology, we provide liquid nitrogen for skin growths that do not require surgery at our facility in Lawrenceville, GA.
Cryotherapy, also known as cryoablation, uses extreme cold to freeze unwanted tissue versus removing the tissue through excision or other methods. Liquid nitrogen is one of best agents to perform cryotherapy procedures, as it allows for accuracy and fast results. Liquid nitrogen freezes tissue almost instantly, as it produces a minus-196-degree C temperature. Some of the benefits of using liquid nitrogen cryotherapy over other skin growth methods include:
- Reduced damage to surrounding tissue
- Less scarring
- Fewer risks of bleeding or infection
- Less invasive for the patient
- Quicker healing and recovery
While there are many benefits to cryotherapy, it is not recommended for all types of skin growths. Moles, melanoma and certain types of squamous and basal cell carcinomas should be removed using other types of dermatology procedures.
Cryotherapy for Skin Growth Removal
Cryotherapy may be recommended if you want warts, skin tags, seborrheic keratoses or actinic keratoses growths removed. These superficial growths are on the outside of the skin and may be effectively removed with liquid nitrogen. Some squamous or basal cell carcinomas may be removed with cryotherapy, but not all and there are other methods for cancerous growths.
Each cryotherapy treatment is customized for the skin growth that is being removed. Dr. Reschly will determine the method that is best to use and how long the liquid nitrogen will need to be applied to achieve the desired result. Some skin growths require more than one treatment to completely remove the undesirable tissue.
If you have skin lesions that need to be removed, liquid nitrogen cryotherapy may be the solution. To learn more about this dermatology procedure, contact us at MJR Dermatology. Call our medical center in the North Atlanta, GA, area to schedule your appointment.