CryoClear is a fast, effective skin freezing treatment that corrects a variety of cosmetic skin concerns. It addresses skin lesions and pigmentation issues via the application of a cryogenic gas at extremely low temperatures to the treatment area. This gentle, but targeted method of epidermal freezing is an aesthetic branch of cryotherapy, sometimes referred to simply as “cold therapy”. Cryotherapy is a common dermatologic procedure, and is performed by many healthcare professionals worldwide. ⁽¹⁾ CryoClear treatments can resolve skin imperfections in a quick and painless procedure, with little preparation required. This forgoes the need for patients to undergo invasive surgical procedures and long, uncomfortable recovery periods. What’s more, a versatile CryoClear treatment can provide skin-perfecting results in patients of all skin types!

For many men and women, skin imperfections can be a source of embarrassment, particularly if the area stands out due to its coloration, size, and shape. Although scarring and changes in skin color can be camouflaged with good makeup techniques and disguised with clothing, these are only temporary solutions for more permanent problems. Luckily, common skin issues such as age spots, acne scarring, skin tags, and facial spider veins can all be addressed effectively with a short, painless CryoClear treatment at Smith Vein & Cosmetic Surgery.

With two Ohio-based offices, David G. Smith, M.D., and his expert team of medical staff can provide permanent cosmetic solutions for your aesthetic concerns, allowing you to experience clearer skin and peace of mind. To find out more about the benefits of CryoClear, and to book a personal consultation with one of our skin specialists, contact our Concord Township or Middlefield offices at (440) 853-8208. Alternatively, you can reach out via our online inquiry form for more details about CryoClear treatments and the other beneficial med spa services we offer.

About Cryoclear Treatment

Unappealing skin lesions and pigmentation issues can arise at any point in our lives. Whether it’s due to the effects of aging, our environment, genetics, or hormonal changes, these troublesome imperfections can appear almost anywhere on the body, including more conspicuous areas such as the face, neck, and chest.

What Can Cryoclear Treat?

Clinicians have been using cryosurgery for skin disease since the early 1900s to produce effective, healing properties. ⁽²⁾ It is widely used because of its proven track record of safety and good cosmetic results. What’s more, with cryotherapy there’s no need for anesthesia. ⁽³⁾A CryoClear treatment can improve the following skin conditions:

How Does CryoClear Work?

Cryotherapy techniques vary according to the nature of the area they treat. There are a number of freezing agents (known as cryogens) that can be used in such procedures, which include liquid nitrogen and dimethyl ether-propane (DMEP). However, CryoClear’s unique delivery system employs compressed carbon dioxide gas to freeze superficial tissues to -79° C (-110 °F). This gas is introduced locally via a pen-like handpiece close to the skin’s surface, causing extreme cold in the treatment area.

CryoClear differs from some other cryotherapy techniques in that it only targets the superficial layers of the epidermis. Our skin is made up of different levels that have varied attributes and functions. These include the basal membrane; the innermost level of cells in the epidermis that separates the outermost layers from the deeper dermis. Cryoclear treatment does not cross this membrane, so the deeper tissues remain unaffected.

Benefits of CryoClear Treatment

Candidates

CryoClear is a suitable treatment for men and women who want to address skin pigmentations and lesions in a fast, non-invasive way. Patient skin pigmentation is assessed using the Fitzpatrick Scale. This scale categorizes skin into six distinct groups ranging from Type 1 (light/pale white) to Type 6 (black/very dark brown to black). Although CryoClear can be used to treat any skin type, people with darker Fitzpatrick skin types may be more susceptible to hypo or hyperpigmentation.

Speak to one of our specialists at Smith Vein & Cosmetic Surgery and book a personal consultation to discuss CryoClear treatment for your skin ailment. Call (440) 853-8208 to reach our Middlefield or Concord Township locations. Or, fill out an online inquiry form and one of our friendly staff will get back to you regarding your request as soon as possible.

Personal Consultation

Before your individual consultation, we will ask you to fill out some important forms. These will include details of your age, general health, Fitzpatrick skin type, and any conditions or prior treatments that could affect the success of your CryoClear therapy. At your individual consultation with one of our skin experts, you can tell us about the area(s) you wish to address with a CryoClear treatment. At this time, we will assess your skin and note important details specific to your circumstances. Once we have evaluated your condition fully, and if you are a suitable candidate, we will schedule your CryoClear treatment.

The CryoClear Procedure

CryoClear therapy does not require any lifestyle changes prior to your procedure. After thoroughly cleaning and drying your skin, we may also prepare your skin by exfoliating it and administering a moisturizing serum. If debris on the skin’s surface is removed, and the topmost layer hydrated, this will improve treatment effectiveness and ease of application. Once the area is fully prepared, we will begin to administer the freezing cryotherapy treatment.

Your skin specialist will hold the tip of the handpiece 2 mm (0.08 in) away from the skin at a 90 degree angle to enable optimal gas flow. Although the small CryoClear handpiece is positioned close to the skin, the tip will not come into contact with it at any point during the procedure. When a button on the handpiece is engaged, a targeted flow of gas releases onto the treatment area in short bursts, no longer than a few seconds in duration. Depending on the nature of the area treated, the technique may vary. For example, with larger skin tags, we may use tweezers to manipulate the tag so the treatment can be accurately administered to its base. For heavily pigmented areas and sunspots, a circular spraying motion may be employed. In all cases, a pale frosting will be present.

CryoClear is an exceptionally fast form of treatment, with most skin issues addressed in as little as 15 minutes!

Recovery

Immediately after your CryoClear treatment, you may experience some tingling or itching in the treated area, but this will subside in a few minutes. The area may also darken significantly in the first few days and peel, revealing fresher, pinker skin beneath. This is a normal part of the skin’s healing process.

Although there is no downtime required following CryoClear treatment, patient should follow these directions:

Results

The average time to see final results is between 35 and 40 days after your CryoClear treatment date. In the days and weeks that follow, the treated skin will renew and remodel. You will see the area fade from its pink to its normal pigmentation, and you will no longer have to deal with your skin imperfection!

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures

Chemical Peel – You may wish to combine your CryoClear treatment with a skin-revitalizing Chemical Peel. Restoring your skin’s soft, lustrous texture, a chemical peel can provide both short- and long-term solutions that can reverse signs of aging, decrease the appearance of scarring, and smooth wrinkles. Choose a superficial, medium depth, or deep chemical peel options to find the treatment that works best for you and rejuvenate your complexion.

Profractional Laser Treatment – As an alternative to CryoClear, a Profractional Laser Treatment can also address uneven pigmentation, minimize acne scars, and diminish signs of aging. Unlike CryoClear, this treatment can also be used to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Thousands of tiny columns of energy penetrate deep into the skin to create controlled wounds that trigger the body’s healing response. This causes new, healthy skin cells and collagen to generate, resulting in a healthier-looking, more youthful complexion.

Erbium Laser Peel – An Erbium Laser Peel is another treatment alternative for damaged, age-affected skin in the face, neck, chest, and hands. It is specifically designed to address mild-to-moderate wrinkles and lines. The Erbium laser stimulates new collagen production for healthier skin, but does not cause tissue damage like some other laser treatments. As such, it’s a non-ablative, gentler skin rejuvenation alternative.

Cost of CryoClear Treatment in Concord Township, OH

The cost of your CryoClear treatment will depend on the type, size, and number of skin conditions you wish to treat. This, and other details of your treatment, will be discussed after your skin evaluation at your personal consultation.

Read the Smith Vein & Cosmetic Surgery blog for more information about the rejuvenating treatments we offer, and join us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest med spa news.

FAQ

References

1. Prohaska, J., & Badri, T. (2020). Cryotherapy. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482319/
2. Gage, A. A., Baust, J. M., & Baust, J. G. (2009). Experimental cryosurgery investigations in vivo. Cryobiology, 59(3), 229–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2009.10.001
3. Zimmerman, E. E., & Crawford, P. F. (2020). Cutaneous Cryosurgery. American Family Physician, 86(12), 1118–1124. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2012/1215/p1118.html