At my beauty salon in Maghull, the questions about Cryopen aftercare usually start a day or two after treatment. A client looks at her skin tag in the bathroom mirror and wonders whether it is doing what it should. So this guide walks you through what the treated area tends to look like, day by day and week by week. I’ll also cover what to do, what to avoid, and when to ring me or your GP.
What Happens During the Freeze
It helps to know what the treatment does before we talk about healing. The Cryopen fires a fine jet of nitrous oxide at high pressure, so I can aim it very precisely. I hold the tip as close to the mark as possible, and the area freezes within seconds. That freeze breaks down the cells inside the mark while the skin around it is left alone.
Then the area thaws almost as quickly as it froze. I usually repeat that freeze and thaw, because for minor marks the repeat is normally enough. Most clients describe the feeling as like nettle stings. Thankfully, it is short-lived.
Before Anything Is Frozen
I look carefully at every mark before I treat it. If a mole or skin mark has changed shape, bled or started itching, I won’t freeze it. Instead, I’ll ask you to have it checked by a doctor first. The NHS has clear guidance on changing moles and skin marks if you’d like to read more.
In over 25 years of caring for women’s skin, I have learned that a quick GP check only takes a little of your time. Treating the wrong thing could do far more harm. So if I have any doubt, the answer is always to wait.
Cryopen Aftercare in the First Few Days
Straight after treatment, the area often looks a little pink as it thaws. Over the next day or two, it may feel slightly tender, and some women notice mild swelling. In my experience, a small blister can sometimes form too. That is generally part of the skin’s normal response to the cold.
During these first days, keep the area clean and pat it dry gently. Don’t pop a blister, and don’t pick at the mark. If it sits under a bra strap or a necklace, try to stop it rubbing. For example, a looser top for the bus or Merseyrail into town can save a lot of irritation.
What a Skin Tag Typically Looks Like Week by Week
In the first week, a treated skin tag usually darkens and starts to look dry. Some clients tell me it looks worse before it looks better, and that is quite normal. Over the following week or two, it typically shrinks and may drop away on its own. Every person heals at their own pace, however, so please don’t worry if yours takes a little longer.
The key rule is to let it fall away by itself. Pulling it off early can leave the skin raw and slow everything down. As a result, patience really does pay off here.
Warts and Age Spots Heal a Little Differently
A treated wart often darkens and forms a crust in the days after the freeze. Over the next couple of weeks, that crust usually lifts away gradually. Again, leave it alone and let your skin do the work.
Age spots on the face or the backs of the hands follow a gentler path. The area may look slightly darker or flaky at first, and then it settles. Age spots fade over a course of treatment, so one visit is rarely the end of the story. I’ll talk you through the course when we first meet.
Everyday Dos and Don’ts for Cryopen Aftercare
Do keep the area clean and dry, and wash gently with your usual mild cleanser. Do wear sun protection on treated facial spots, even on a grey Merseyside day. If you’d like to understand why that matters, I’ve written about treating sun spots after summer with Cryopen.
Don’t scrub, scratch or cover the area with heavy make-up while it is healing. Also avoid tight clothes or straps that rub against it. In practice, most clients carry on with work, the school run and the gym without much fuss.
Do I Need to Come Back
One of the nice things about this treatment is that you don’t need a return visit for aftercare. That suits busy women in Aintree, Lydiate and Formby who can’t keep taking time off. However, if you’re having a course for age spots, we will book your next session together.
I can also treat several skin tags in different areas in one session. So if you have a few on your neck and under your arms, we can usually deal with them in one appointment.
Think about timing too. If you have a wedding, a holiday or a big night out coming up, don’t leave it until the week before. A healing mark on your neckline is the last thing you want in photos. So I’d suggest booking a few weeks ahead, which gives your skin time to settle.
When to Call Me and When to See Your GP
Ring me if you’re unsure how things are healing, or if you’d simply like reassurance. I’m the only therapist at the salon, so you’ll speak to the person who treated you. That means I know exactly which marks I froze and how they looked beforehand.
See your GP or pharmacist if the area becomes increasingly painful, hot, swollen or weepy. Also see a doctor if a treated mark comes back looking different, or if anything starts to bleed or itch. Those are not things to wait on.
Booking Your Cryopen Appointment in Maghull
Treatments like this were once seen as clinical procedures that needed a medical professional. Now I can carry them out here in Maghull, with the same careful approach I bring to every client. You can read more about how it works on my Cryopen treatment Liverpool page.
If you have a skin tag, wart or age spot that has been bothering you, give me a call on 0151 909 6116. Alternatively, contact us and I’ll get back to you to talk it through.
