Cryotherapy is relatively low risk. There are a few side effects that may occur as a result of treatment including:

• Pigmentary changes (hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation )if this happens skin colour normally returns after a few months.
• Nerve damage (particularly where nerves lie close to the surface of the skin, on fingers, wrist, area behind the ear). Reports show that normal sensitivity returns after a few months.
• Shards of frozen ice (minor shards of frozen ice may blow out, that will thaw on contact with healthy skin)
• Hair follicle damage and permanent alopecia (especially when treating area on sites with coarse terminal hair). This can be discussed with your practitioner during consultation.

The duration of the treatment time will depend on the surface area and the thickness of the tissue being treated. Upon clinical evaluation of the thickness of the area, the clinician will choose an application time from 1 to 30 seconds.

Cryotherapy is a relatively low-risk procedure. CryoPen™ delivers N2O directly to the area and not the surrounding healthy tissue. CryoPen™ is both CE and FDA approved.

There will be a pain sensation similar to a stinging nettle on the skin when the nitrous oxide reaches the bottom of the area. There might be a little residual stinging for a few minutes after the treatment.

The area will be slightly itchy for about ten minutes. Occasionally a blister might form and persist for a few hours.

Repeated short freezing cycles of 3 to 6 seconds at two-week intervals are recommended if you have a darker skin type.