Procedures

Post procedure information

Cryotherapy

This is "localised controlled frostbite"

The lesion is frozen with liquid nitrogen and then allowed to thaw

This kills the cells

A second freeze thaw cycle is often employed

Good for solar keratoses, Bowen’s disease, warts, some basal cell carcinomas

Risks
Hypopigmented/ pale/ white scar
Pain
Blistering
Repeated treatment

Curettage & Cautery

“Scraping” + “burning”

Risks
Scarring
Dented scar
Infection
Bleeding

Punch biopsy

This is like using a pastry cutter to remove a core of skin except that the pastry cutter is just 4 mm in diameter (sometimes 2,3,6,8 mm). This allows skin to be sent to the pathologist for analysis for a diagnosis

Risks

• Scarring - sometimes linear, sometimes a hatch scar where stitch marks show, sometimes a dent for example on the nose
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Non diagnosis

For further information please visit https://www.skinhealthinfo.org.uk/a-z-conditions-treatments/