Cryotherapy is a therapy where liquid nitrogen is used to freeze skin lesions. The liquid nitrogen is often sprayed via a "cryo gun," which sprays a thin chilly mist onto the skin, leaving a white, frosty appearance on the surface. Cryotherapy may also be performed with a cotton swab or with other methods.
Liquid nitrogen's incredibly low temperature destroys the skin cells on the top layer. Cryotherapy can be slightly uncomfortable, especially when used on the face, but topical anesthetic is rarely, if ever, required.
A blister may develop beneath the treated area, assisting in removing the lesion from the skin.
Warts, seborrheic keratosis, actinic keratosis and other benign lesions are routinely treated using cryotherapy.
