As we become older we begin to collect skin lesions. Some of these stem from our teenage years when acne scars made their mark and some of them are recent additions due to the ageing process. Unfortunately, maturing skin, with its loss of elasticity can make them all the more prominent. Darker areas of skin are caused by years of sun bathing and although we didn’t pay attention to the effects of our sun tans when we were younger, we might care a lot about it later.

Fine lines and wrinkles are the result of our collagen production slowing down, leading to a loss of stretch in the skin. This means that when we make facial expressions, the lines caused remain visible. In addition to this, we gain skin tags, extra moles and for some us, warts as well! Isn’t getting older fun!

The good news, is that cryotherapy is a treatment that can reduce all of these, restoring a more even and youthful skin tone and texture to your skin, as well as removing the blemishes that have been frustrating you. It’s highly effective, performed by experienced practitioners and will give a boost to the confidence you have in your appearance.

What is cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy involves exposing a targeted skin area to an extremely cold temperature for several seconds. Here at R3 Aesthetics, the tool we use for this is a Cryopen. High pressured nitrous oxide is released close to the skin lesion you want removed. In order for the surrounding skin to remain untouched by the Cryopen, a very precise movement is required. Our practitioners have received extensive training to ensure your treatment is safe and successful.

How does it work?

When the nitrous oxide enters the skin cells, which are affected by pigmentation, or wrinkles, it freezes the fluid there and ice crystals are formed. Given that ice is an expansion of liquid, the cell membranes are ruptured. This action destroys the lesion. The damaged skin cells are effectively destroyed and your body, alerted to this ‘injury’ then creates new skin tissue to replace the old.

An initial first cycle freeze is how the treatment begins. Your practitioner will hold the Cryopen close to the lesion before moving it quickly away. Then, just as you’d leave a microwave soup to stand for a few moments, before you begin its second heating cycle, the nitrous oxide is given 30 seconds to thaw. Then the second freezing cycle can commence.

Cryotherapy can be used on a wide variety of facial blemishes. It can provide relief to those with warts and verrucas, as well as rejuvenate the wrinkled and sun-damaged skin of seniors, to turn back the clock by several years. If you’re interested in removing a blemish, please get in touch with our reception team to book your initial consultation. When our practitioners meet you in person, they’ll be able to assess your skin with a view to preparing the most appropriate treatment plan for you.