Cryosurgery is an option for quickly and effectively treating skin imperfections. At Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute, Jill Waibel, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist, performs cryosurgery on people living in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Kendall, FL, and nearby areas, to remove skin imperfections and restore a positive self-image.
What is Cryosurgery?
Cryosurgery is a treatment using extreme cold to destroy abnormal skin tissue or skin imperfections, such as moles, warts and skin tags. It uses liquid nitrogen sprayed or dabbed directly on the targeted area to rapidly freeze and remove the imperfection or diseased tissue.
What is Cryosurgery Used to Treat?
Cryosurgery treats the following:
- Skin tags
- Moles
- Skin Cancer
- Warts
How is Cryosurgery Performed?
During cryosurgery, a small amount of liquid nitrogen is placed on the targeted area with a cotton swab and allowed to remain there for just a few seconds. It typically does not take very long for the imperfection to be eliminated either on its own or with the assistance of the doctor. Cryosurgery takes only a few minutes to complete and since the area is numbed with a local anesthetic, there is no pain. This procedure requires the expertise of a qualified board-certified dermatologist to successfully remove the skin condition.
What Should I Expect After Cryosurgery?
Immediately following the procedure, the skin must thaw. Over the following few days, the area scabs over for about two weeks. The area may take a few months to fully heal. Once healed, the results are permanent.