Cryotherapy Specialist
-
- Tweet
Sulkowski Family Medicine
Thomas E. Sulkowski, MD
Family Medicine located in Murfreesboro, TN
Moles, warts, and skin tags are just a few common skin lesions. While in some instances skin lesions are cancerous, other times they’re just bothersome, and you’d like them removed. At Sulkowski Family Medicine in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the team provides several options to remove skin lesions and give you smooth, healthy skin. A quick cryotherapy treatment is just one lasting solution. To find out about the best option for you, call today or schedule a consultation online.
Cryotherapy Q & A
What are skin lesions?
A lesion is an umbrella term to describe any kind of growth or mark on your skin. Skin lesions come in many types and forms.
Here are some skin lesions you might experience.
Skin tags
Skin tags are benign skin growths that occur around skin folds, including your neck, eyelids, underarms, and groin. Also called acrochordons, skin tags are very common.
Cysts
A cavity typically filled with a liquid or semi-liquid substance, a cyst may feel like a lump under your skin.
Macules
Freckles, flat moles, and port wine stains are examples of macules. Macules are flat, discolored, and smaller than 0.4 inches in diameter.
Papules
Warts, insect bites, and some skin cancers take the shape of papules. Papules are solid bumps smaller than 0.4 inches in diameter.
Scales
Scales are dry, flaky patches formed by a stack of dead epidermal cells. Scales are common with certain skin conditions, such as psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis.
Actinic keratosis
Actinic keratosis is a crusty, scaly growth caused by sun damage or UV exposure. These growths are considered precancerous, and they typically appear on your face or the back of your hands.
How are skin lesions treated?
Skin lesion removal is generally a simple, quick process, with a few different options. The team at Sulkowski Family Medicine will recommend the right treatment for you based on the type of skin lesion, its location, and size. You may be a good candidate for surgical removal or an in-office procedure called cryotherapy.
What is cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is another name for cold therapy. Cryotherapy uses extremely cold liquid nitrogen to remove skin lesions and restore your smooth skin while minimizing scarring.
Cryotherapy is performed two ways: by spraying the lesion with liquid nitrogen or using a cotton swab that has been dipped into liquid nitrogen. The freezing can cause discomfort, so the team at Sulkowski Family Medicine may numb the area first. The entire procedure is quick, usually under a minute.
What should I expect after cryotherapy?
The treated area typically becomes red and may blister or swell. This is to be expected, as it’s a normal part of the healing process. You shouldn’t break open the blister.
You might also see clear drainage, which is normal. The entire healing process takes 7-10 days, resulting in a smoother appearance.
If you’ve been looking for options to remove unwanted moles, warts, or other skin lesions, with no downtime, call or book a consultation online with the team at Sulkowski Family Medicine.
