Question 1

How safe is cryotherapy with Cryopen™?

Accepted Answer

Cryotherapy is a low-risk procedure. Cryopen™ delivers N2O directly to the area, and not the healthy surrounding tissue. Cryopen™ is both CE and FDA registered.

Question 2

Does it hurt?

Accepted Answer

It is virtually painless. The accuracy of Cryopen™ means that healthy skin around the site of the lesion is less likely to be effected, and therefore it is not painful.
 
Treatment is generally very well tolerated, even with those with a low pain threshold. The sensation is similar to a stinging nettle on the skin when the nitrous oxide reaches the bottom of the area, but this vanishes quickly.
 
There might be a little residual stinging for a few minutes after treatment. The area will be slightly itchy for about ten minutes. Occasionally a blister might form and persist for a few hours. This is NOT to be confused with traditional Cryotherapy, which can be very painful as it usually hits healthy tissue.

Question 3

Will it leave a scar?

Accepted Answer

Generally no. Cryosurgery with Cryopen™ preserves the tissue matrix which is relatively cold resistant, and therefore allows for proper cosmetic healing with minimal scarring. This will of course depend on your skin type, and how well you follow the aftercare advice. Hypo-pigmentation in the area (a small pink patch of skin, where new skin has formed, that is lighter in colour) may be visible for 2-6 months. This color loss may take longer to return in darker pigmented skin.

Question 4

Lesion assessment service Q&A (Map My Mole)

Accepted Answer

How does it work?
1) We will ask you some questions about your skin and the lesion
2) We'll take a series of images of your skin, using a special lens, some detailed images of your mole or lesion.
3) A consultant dermatologist at Map my Mole will review your answers and images, You'll receive a digital copy of your report with their findings and advice on what steps to take next.

What happens if the report finds a suspicious mole or lesion?
If a consultant thinks the mole or lesion is of concern, they will ask you to see your GP or a dermatologist. Map My Mole will also phone you to check that you have read and understood your report.

Where will my results be sent?
You will be emailed your report. Optionally, you'll also be able to share a copy of your report with the clinic, although this is not required.

Who can use this service?
Anyone can use this service.

How long does it take to get my results?
Once we have completed your submission, you will receive a copy of your report within 48 hours.

What's included on my report?
Your report will include the consultant dermatologist's opinion on what your mole or skin lesion is and advice on what steps you should take next.

What happens if you think it's skin cancer?
Skin cancer diagnosis requires a biopsy, and cannot be diagnosed from images. If the dermatologist thinks a mole or lesion is concerning, they will ask you to see your GP or a dermatologist. This does not necessarily mean that you have skin cancer, but does mean that it needs further investigation.

Most GPs will take the action recommended by our consultant without needing to see you first. All our consultants also work in the NHS and are on the General Medical Council register of Dermatology Specialists so GPs know they are very experienced.

Your GP may give you a prescription or refer you to the Dermatology department at your local hospital.

Who is Map My Mole?
Map My Mole, by Community Dermatology Limited, is a private service that offers remote assessments of moles and lesions by consultant dermatologists. Map My Mole is proud to be partnering with clinics across the UK to bring skin safety checks to every high street.

The Map My Mole service is aligned with the British Association of Dermatologists teledermatology guidelines.

Question 5

Solar Lentigo, Sun Spots and Pigmentation"

Accepted Answer

To protect itself from the damaging effects of the sun, your skin increases its production of the dark brown pigment called melanin. The extra melanin makes your skin look darker or sun-tanned. In some cases, the sun causes an uneven increase in melanin production, which produces irregular coloring or pigmentation of the skin.
 
Lentigo or lentigines may evolve slowly over years, or they may appear suddenly. They may occur anywhere on the body and vary in colour from tan-brown to black.
 
They may require a few treatments with CryoPen. The area will go darker after treatment, and flake/slough away to reveal new skin.

Question 6

Skin Tags (Fibroepithelial polyp/papilloma)

Accepted Answer

Skin Tags are a common fibrous skin condition found in areas of friction such as the armpits, under the breasts, groin or around the neck where necklaces or collars may irritate. They often present with a neck like a mushroom and vary in size from a tiny speck, smaller than a grain of uncooked rice, to the size of a large pea or larger. They are viral in nature (Human Papilloma Virus HPV) and whilst not infectious they can proliferate on individuals with some people suffering from hundreds of them. 
 
Cryopen works like advanced electrolysis but using a freezing technique instaed of heat. it is a quick, easy way of removing skin tages of all sizes, in a safe and effective manner.  
There are two different methods of skin tag removal for different types of tags:
1) Small skin tags with no neck: The fine jet of nitrous oxide is applied to the skin tag, this freezes and falls off over the next couple of days.
2) Larger skin tags with a neck: The skin tag is lifted with tweezers and
the neck of the tag is frozen, the tag then falls off in a couple of days.

Question 7

Small Blood Spots (Campbell de Morgan Spots or Cherry Angioma)

Accepted Answer

They present themselves as slightly raised or dome shaped red spots and are of unknown origin. They are mostly seen on the trunk in middle aged and elderly clients and are even more common in men than women. Larger ones (50p size+) will need more than one treatment. Smaller ones often disappear at time of treatment.
 
Cryopen is used to freeze the blood spot, smaller ones going instantly, larger ones taking a couple of sessions.

Question 8

Millia

Accepted Answer

Millia are small white lumps lying superficially under the surface of the skin. They are a retention of keratin and sebaceous material within the pilosebaceous duct, eccrine sweat duct, or the sebaceous collar surrounding vellus hair. Their exact cause is unknown although they are often related to diet with a high cholesterol count, excessive Vitamin C, too rich moisturising cream and are also associated with dry skin which can be acidic.

They can all be treated easily with Cryopen freezing the lump, drying it up so that the hard keratinised centre is broken down and this will then be absorbed by the skin following treatment. This is a much gentler way to treat them, as opposed to removing them with a microlance, which can damage the skin.

Question 9

Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra

Accepted Answer

Small to medium, raised benign skin lesion which varies in colour from brown to black. They are usually found on the face, in particular around the eye area, and tend to be more common on dark-skinned individuals.
The cause is unknown, but generally appear after puberty, and grow in size and number with age. They can be hereditary.
 
The skin lesion is frozen and falls off after a couple of days. The skin can be a bit lighter in colour straight after and then this evens out, sometimes going slightly darker than the surrounding skin.

Question 10

Seborrhoeic Keratosis

Accepted Answer

Seborrhoeic keratosis is a benign, asymptomatic mass, primarily caused by the ageing process. It is also known as seborrhoeic warts, senile warts, barnacles or basal cell papilloma. They have a thick wart-like surface and are usually colourless when they appear and become brown to black over time. Seborrhoeic keratosis can be confused with other skin conditions, so it is advisable to seek a GP’s advice before visiting.
 
Freezing the mass kills the surface skin cells, this scabs and falls off and a new smoother skin is releaved underneath. This may take a few session to get the smoothest results and they can grow back and need follow on top up treatments.

Question 11

Warts and Verrucas

Accepted Answer

Warts usually have a "cauliflower" like appearance, and commonly appear on the hands. Verrucas sometimes called plantar warts or spelled verrucae - are warts that develop on the soles of the feet. CryoPen is great at treating stubborn warts and verrucas, even if other methods have failed. They can turn dark and flake away after treatment.
 
Viral leison are more difficult to treat being the leison and the virus needs to be dealt with. Multiple treatments will be needed depending on the size and the depth. We may ask you to exfoliate any dry or hard skin from the wart/verruca before your appointment.

Question 12

Moles

Accepted Answer

Mole Treatment with Cryopen
Moles may be treated using Cryopen technology; however, prior written confirmation from your GP or dermatologist is required. This documentation must verify that the mole is benign and appropriate for treatment.

Our Map My Mole Assessment Service
We offer Map My Mole, a professional lesion assessment service that provides expert evaluation from UK consultant dermatologists, typically within 24-48 hours.

Using a specialist medical-grade dermatoscope, we capture detailed, magnified images of your mole or skin lesion that reveal details not visible to the naked eye.

This service is particularly beneficial for:
Obtaining a professional opinion when a mole has changed in size, shape, or colour, has an irregular border, is itchy or bleeding, or appears significantly different from other moles 
Receiving rapid expert assessment without the typical waiting times associated with NHS dermatology appointments
Securing the written confirmation required for Cryopen treatment
Digitally tracking changes in moles over time, ensuring early detection and providing peace of mind 
Determining whether a lesion requires further medical investigation or is suitable for aesthetic treatment

The dermatologist's report will provide an expert opinion on what the lesion represents, along with treatment recommendations where appropriate, enabling us to advise you on the most suitable next steps.

Question 13

Contraindications and After Care

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately not all treatments are for everyone. Please check our contraindications list to make sure you avoid disappointment.

https://www.ecoskinclinic.co.uk/post/cryopen-contraindications-aftercare

Question 14

Eco and Vegan Information

Accepted Answer

Cryopen uses nitrous oxide which is vegan but the containers they come in are not recyclable and has to be thrown in the general waste.
 
The only product other product used is Clinisept+ which is suitable for vegans and is manufactured in accordance with cruelty-free standards.

Question 15

Which therapists provide this treatment and what pen do they use?

Accepted Answer

Vicki Hexter - Cryopen
Viktoria Zem- Cryoalfa Pen
Estelle Brown - Cryoalfa Pen
Find out more about each therapist at Meet the Team

Cryopen Walthamstow

Flawless skin in a matter of seconds

Please see our Lesion and Red Vein page for more information and pricing on all our modalities which we can use for lesion removal.

Advanced Cryotherapy for

Skin Lesion Removal

Skin Concerns Treated

Frequently Asked Questions