The Cryotherapy Option for Acne Treatment

Dermatologists say that nearly every case of acne can be resolved. However, there are certain realities that the acne sufferer must recognize and accept:

First: There is no "instant" cure. Resolution of acne lesions takes time.  Promises of "quick," "miraculous" or "overnight" results may be irresistible, but any doctor, clinic or treatment making such promises will only deliver disappointment in the end.

The best outcomes with treatments on even mild cases of acne may not show results for 6 to 8 weeks. Then, once your acne starts to show significant improvement, it is necessary to continue the treatments to prevent a new breakout. If the treatment method does not improve your acne in 6 to 8 weeks, you will need to switch treatments.

Second: What works for one patient may not work for you.  Everyone's body is different. An acne treatment that works well on one person may not get the same results on another. There are many factors involved including the skin type of the person, the cause of the acne and the type of lesions that develop.

You may require the help of a medical professional. Acne can have many varied causes. Due the fact that not every medication works the same for everybody, complicated by the fact that there are countless treatment options on the market, you may wish to consult a dermatologist.

It is simply logical. If you break a bone you don't try to heal it by yourself. So why try to fix your 'broken skin" by yourself? A dermatologist knows what to look for and will almost certainly make your passage through the acne experience much easier.

Before prescribing a treatment, dermatologists consider many factors that are unique to your situation; Such as how severe the acne, the types of lesions you exhibit, any other medical conditions you may have, your age, your skin type and your lifestyle. With this information, the dermatologist can draw their training and experience to create an individualized treatment plan with a high probability of a good resolution to your skin problems.

Cryotherapy is one option and is only available through a dermatologist.

Here's how it is done: Typically, liquid nitrogen or solid carbon dioxide is applied to a localized area of skin and freezing it. Light freezing causes the skin to peel, moderate freezing causes blisters and hard freezing results in scabbing. This procedure is used as an acne treatment as well as for scar, growth and cancer removal. The freezing agent may be sprayed or swabbed on the skin, but the end result is the same.

Cryotherapy is a very effective, reliable and relatively inexpensive method to remove most of the surface lesions associated with acne. When used as an acne treatment, an area of skin is lightly frozen so upper layer of skin is shed. Any whiteheads and blackheads that are present are also shed. A Cryotherapy treatment may also be used to aid in faster healing of pimples which reduces the possibility of acne.

Cryotherapy treatments for acne are usually performed at weekly intervals. Side effects of this procedure may include stinging and redness of the skin. There may also be some pain for a period following the treatment. The uncomfortable aftereffects of Cryotherapy may be relieved by application of a steroid to the treated area immediately after the session. In very rare cases, patients with extremely sensitive skin may experience some swelling and blistering following a Cryotherapy treatment.

Cryotherapy is sometimes also referred to as cryosurgery. It is actually a form of surgery since the dermatologist is removing a layer of skin along with the acne lesions. This form of acne treatment has been available since the 1960s and has proven to be very effective as an acne treatment option.