Removing moles using liquid nitrogen is based on the destructive effect of cold on tissue. This is an affordable and popular procedure that allows you to quickly and painlessly get rid of a tumor.
If a mole causes inconvenience or aesthetic discomfort, causes pain or bleeds, then it is better to think about removing the tumor.
Cryodestruction is one of the effective and affordable methods of removing moles.
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What is cryodestruction? How is the procedure performed? How effective and safe is it? Let's look into the details.
What are the risks?
In most cases, moles are harmless new growths that do not cause discomfort or health problems.
However, some moles, under the influence of external unfavorable factors, can degenerate into a malignant neoplasm.
Provoking factors include:
- prolonged exposure of the mole to sunlight;
- regular friction with clothing or mechanical damage.
Removing moles with liquid nitrogen is a common and popular procedure, the advantages of which are simplicity, painlessness and affordability.
Using the cryodestruction method, various types of neoplasms are removed - flat, convex and hanging moles.
But freezing moles is associated with certain risks - burns or incomplete removal of neoplasm tissue and the need for repeated procedures. This is due to the inability to control the depth of nitrogen exposure.
Therefore, cryodestruction is more often used to remove flat moles. And hanging and convex moles are removed by other methods - electrocoagulation, laser or radio waves.
Indications for removal
When epithelial tumors do not cause physical discomfort, they are rarely removed. Reasons for surgical intervention may include the following factors:
- the tumor causes pain when wearing shoes or clothes;
- uncontrolled growth of growths is observed;
- darkening of the papilloma or its rapid growth;
- the papilloma bleeds or becomes inflamed.
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Indications
Photo: bleeding nevus
The risk of nevus degeneration into a malignant formation is the main reason for removal. But not all moles need to be removed.
There are certain indications for tumor removal:
- increase/decrease of a mole;
- change in the shape of a mole;
- change in color of a mole;
- painful sensations in the area of the mole;
- bleeding moles;
- detection of precancerous transformations in a mole by cytological examination;
- a sharp increase in the number of moles on the skin.
Removal is also carried out to eliminate an aesthetic defect if the mole is located in a visible place.
It should be borne in mind that nitrogen only affects moles that are located on the surface and do not penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin.
What it is?
The process of removing a mole using cold involves exposing an area of human skin to liquid nitrogen, the temperature of which reaches -190°C. Under the influence of cold, the water in the formation cells freezes and collapses. Further restoration of cells is impossible and the process of complete death of the affected tissue occurs. The procedure itself is very quick (maximum time no more than 10 minutes) and almost painless. Some pain is possible in areas of increased sensitivity - on the pads of the fingers, for example.
Danger of the procedure
Before deciding to carry out such a procedure, you need to familiarize yourself with the possible problems. Like any operation, cryodestruction carries a number of dangers, although the risk of their occurrence is low. The reason for the danger lies in the removal method itself - exposure to low temperatures. The danger of cryodestruction is as follows:
The disadvantage of cryodestruction of nevi is the impossibility of submitting biomaterial for histology.
- Complete destruction of the mole at the cellular level. As a result of the procedure, this is the best indicator, but the inability to examine a removed nevus may lead to the miss of a disease such as melanoma.
- The depth of exposure to nitrogen is difficult to control. Nitrogen is applied using a cotton swab or a special needle. In any case, it is difficult to predict the depth of formation and not damage healthy skin with low temperatures.
These are the most likely negative situations that arise during the cryodestruction process. The probability of their occurrence is small, but not reduced to zero. Every patient who decides to do this must be mentally prepared for possible pain during the procedure. And sometimes even a repeated visit to the cryo-center, since a mole cannot always be removed in one session.
Indications for removal
To avoid negative results, you should consult a doctor before the procedure, who will confirm the necessity and safety of the procedure. Sometimes nevi cause physical discomfort when wearing everyday clothes or have an unaesthetic appearance. In this case, the decision is made by the patient independently, i.e. it is not binding. But there are a number of signs when removing a mole is necessary:
- a sharp increase in their number on the body;
- painful sensations;
- bleeding;
- change in color of the nevus or the skin around it;
- itching and redness;
- change in shape and size.
Based on these signs, it is recommended to consult a doctor as soon as possible to check the formation for malignancy. Ignoring and neglecting the disease leads to its complications. The doctor takes a sample for analysis and gives a referral for cryodestruction. Timely visit to the hospital and cryo-center will help prevent the development of melanoma.
How does cold affect a mole?
The freezing point of water is 0°C. Under the influence of liquid nitrogen with a temperature of about -190 ° C, instant freezing and crystallization of the water contained in the tissue cells of the mole occurs. Dehydration of cells and intercellular space occurs, and blood supply to tissues is disrupted.
At the same time, ions and products of cellular metabolism accumulate in the cells, which, upon reaching a certain toxic threshold, cause destruction of cell membranes. Protein (denaturation) and fat structures are destroyed.
All irreversible changes lead to the impossibility of further functioning of cellular structures and the death of tissues exposed to nitrogen.
Cold destroys not only the tumor tissue, but also the nerve endings localized in the treatment area. Therefore, the freezing procedure is absolutely painless.
Carrying out the procedure
Methods for removing moles with liquid nitrogen
Cryodestruction of a mole is performed in two ways:
- Cotton swab. Used in case of superficial localization and small size of the mole. A swab soaked in liquid nitrogen is applied to the tumor for a short time (up to 3 minutes). Numbness occurs, and then the tissues completely die.
- Using a cryodestructor. A cryodestructor is a special device with which a needle is inserted under the skin, connected to a sensor that controls the temperature.
Photo: cryodestruction procedure
Through a needle, liquid nitrogen is supplied to the lower layers of the epidermis. The sensor allows you to control the temperature at the site of exposure and promptly interrupt freezing.
Using a cryodestructor, large moles and neoplasms that penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin are removed.
The procedure lasts from 30 seconds to 3 minutes. The duration is determined by the required depth of exposure and the area of the treated area. It does not cause pain, so it is performed without anesthesia.
After cryodestruction
Healing after cauterization depends on the characteristics of the patient’s body and how correctly he follows the doctor’s recommendations.
Within 1–4 days after cauterization of the nevus, inflammation begins at this site (often with the formation of blisters), which should not be feared. The affected area turns red due to the massive death of treated cells. Then a crust (granulation tissue) forms. These days, there may be pain at the site of exposure, sometimes a burning sensation.
On days 7–10, the crust disappears, and new tissues formed under it are noticeable. This crust also served as additional protection for new tissues from environmental influences.
Complete restoration of the skin occurs within a month, the process of epithelization of the wound is completed. The pinkish spot at the site of the former nevus becomes invisible over time.
Rehabilitation and recovery
The rehabilitation period after cryodestruction lasts up to 2 months.
During the procedure, the affected area of the skin hardens and turns white and loses sensitivity. In this case, burning and tingling sensations may be noted.
Healing period
Healing occurs in several stages:
- on the first day after the procedure, inflammation develops caused by the death of mole cells and the formation of granulation tissue (crust);
- after 7 days, regeneration processes begin - new epithelial tissue cells begin to form;
- tissue restoration is completed after 3–6 weeks - a new skin is formed at the site of the removed mole without signs of previous intervention.
Care
After the mole is removed, a crust forms on the treated area, preventing infection of the wound surface. The main thing is that the resulting crust disappears on its own. Under no circumstances should it be removed mechanically. You should also not wet the surface with water or treat it with creams.
The first days after the procedure, you can treat the wound with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, which has an antiseptic effect and dries the wound.
If pathological signs appear during healing, you should immediately consult a doctor.
These signs include:
- continuous bleeding from the wound;
- redness of the skin around the wound with a gradual increase in the area of redness;
- severe swelling of the skin around the wound;
- discharge of pus;
- increase in body temperature.
7-14 days after the mole is removed, the crust falls off, revealing tender, young skin.
It is important not to injure it or expose it to sunlight. To speed up recovery, you can treat the skin with a wound-healing gel or cream (Actovegin, rescuer and other drugs).
After three weeks, the skin is completely restored and no further treatment is required.
The only exception is patients with sensitive skin, who often experience itching on the treated areas of the skin. To eliminate the unpleasant symptom, you can use an ointment with an antipruritic effect (sinaflane, beloderm) once. After using them, all unpleasant sensations disappear.
The doctor should give recommendations on skin care and prescribe the necessary medications.
Photo: after cauterization with liquid nitrogen
Skin care
To speed up healing, it is very important to properly care for the area treated with nitrogen.
Important! After cryodestruction, you cannot remove the crust yourself; it must fall off on its own, otherwise you can get infected and cause the wound to bleed.
Before complete healing, it is advisable to:
- limit the use of cosmetics at the cauterization site (creams, lotions, etc.), especially in the first few days after cryodestruction;
- Avoid direct sunlight. Naturally, this also applies to solariums;
- After the crust falls off, apply sunscreen to the healing area before going outside.
Contraindications, complications and side effects
Contraindications to cryodestruction include:
- inflammatory and acute infectious diseases;
- inflammatory processes in the area of intended treatment;
- malignant nature of the neoplasm;
- individual intolerance to liquid nitrogen;
- convulsions and epileptic seizures;
- pregnancy.
Complications after cryodestruction
There are no unpleasant consequences of removing moles with liquid nitrogen if the procedure is performed correctly.
The following complications are very rarely possible:
- damage to healthy tissues - due to incorrect calculation of time, depth and area of exposure;
- allergic reaction to cold - with incomplete collection of data on the patient’s history of diseases;
- infection – if rehabilitation rules are not followed (infection of the wound can result from the patient’s independent mechanical removal of the crust that has formed at the treatment site).
Photo: scar on the skin
Side effects
The main side effects of cryodestruction include:
- formation of scars and scars;
- change in skin pigmentation (usually the skin at the treatment site is lighter).
Recovery period: care and timing
The full recovery period for the damaged skin area occurs after 6 weeks. The process itself occurs in stages. Immediately after the procedure, the patient may feel a slight numbness and tingling in the treatment area, and a little later a slight itching. On the second day, a crust begins to form at the site of the mole. The scab gradually falls off and new skin forms over the next few weeks.
What should you not do?
Under no circumstances should the treatment area be exposed to water, creams or sunlight. The resulting crust already prevents harmful microbes from penetrating the skin and prevents inflammation. You cannot remove dried crust by hand. When the mole cells completely die, they will separate on their own and the healing process will proceed the right way, without forming scars.
What should you do?
To reduce inflammatory processes and keep the treatment area clean, it is allowed to use a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Patients with particularly sensitive skin will experience itching in the treatment area. In this case, the doctor prescribes special antipruritic drugs. After the crust dies, wound healing creams can be used to speed up the recovery process.
Removal of nevi with liquid nitrogen is available and safe, but this procedure sometimes needs to be repeated. Many people have a large number of nevi on their skin and want to get rid of them. The reason for this desire is the fear of developing a cancerous process and the desire for aesthetic appearance. Removing moles with liquid nitrogen has become popular.
The method is based on cold exposure, which is destructive and cleanses the skin. The temperature range used is extremely low.
The maximum can reach -196 °C. This value ensures instant freezing of organic substances that are destroyed under the created conditions.
The branch of medicine that studies the effect of cold on human tissue is called cryosurgery. It is also in demand in aesthetic medicine, pediatrics, otolaryngology, urology and gynecology. Skin neoplasms, in particular moles, can be successfully eliminated using cryodestruction. The cost of the procedure is determined to be low, which contributes to its widespread use and maintains patient demand.
The following circumstances may serve as a reason for using liquid nitrogen when getting rid of moles:
- Changing the size parameters of the nevus, its color shade and texture;
- Soreness at the site of its localization;
- Bleeding from existing formations on the skin;
- Precancerous condition of moles.
The effectiveness of cryodestruction is characterized by a high degree in the case of nevi, which are located within the superficial layer of the skin, without penetrating into its thickness.
What happens to a mole when exposed to cold?
Everyone knows the freezing point of water corresponding to 0 °C. During shock freezing at -190 °C, water, which is an integral part of tissue cells in the human body, undergoes crystallization.
The cell loses moisture, which also leaves the space around it. Electrolyte and metabolite levels reach a critical level when the cell membrane is destroyed. This is followed by the transformation of polypeptide molecules, accompanied by the breakdown of proteins and lipids. Vascular collapse in the form of capillary thrombosis and vascular stasis is noted in the affected area.
The changes that occur in tissues disrupt cellular functionality and trigger the process of their death. How is the procedure performed? The methods are different, but the essence comes down to controlled freezing of the element. In the hands of an experienced doctor this is usually not difficult.
Consequences of removing moles with liquid nitrogen
Recovery after getting rid of moles varies in duration. It goes through several stages:
- The affected area turns white and hardens with loss of sensitivity, sensations such as tingling and burning are observed;
- Within 24 hours, an inflammatory reaction occurs, explained by cell death, and a crust forms;
- After 2 weeks, epithelization occurs, a renewed skin area appears;
- Skin renewal is completed after a month and a half.
Advantages of cryodestruction of moles at the Miracle Doctor clinic
In medical cryodestruction, it is performed by experienced dermatologists. They improve their skills on a regular basis.
Pros and cons
Cryodestruction, like any other procedure, has a number of advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages:
- painlessness;
- simplicity of the method;
- speed of the procedure;
- affordability;
- minimal risks of complications.
Flaws:
- inability to affect the deep layers of the skin (nevus may not be completely removed);
- inability to control the depth of exposure, which leads to damage to healthy tissues and burns;
- long rehabilitation period (about 2 months);
- the need for several sessions when removing large moles;
- risk of scar formation.
It is especially unpleasant if scars appear after removal of a mole on the face. Having gotten rid of this aesthetic drawback, another problem arises that will have to be dealt with.
What are moles?
Moles are pigmented benign formations that appear on the skin from the moment of birth, of various shapes, shades and sizes. According to localization, they are most often found on the face, body, limbs and mucous membranes. Moles can form in different layers of the epidermis (on the surface or in the depths).
Types of moles
By character and color:
- Vascular - moles of pale pink, red or bluish colors, consisting of endothelial cells;
- Non-vascular (pigmented) - keratinized moles from pale brown to black;
- Blue - formations characterized by a bluish color with a smooth surface;
- Dysplastic – brown formations that do not have clear contours up to 12 mm in size;
According to the configuration there are:
- Flat moles - do not protrude above the skin
- Convex moles - protrude above the skin
- Hanging - have a leg that goes deep into the skin
- Birthmarks are pink or light brown formations, irregular in shape and large in size. They are less common than simple moles.
Depending on the location in the epidermis, they are distinguished:
- Epidermal springs - located in the upper layer of the skin
- Borderline moles – formed between the dermis and epidermis
- Intradermal - located in the lower layers of the skin
Nevi can form in different layers of the epidermis (on the surface or in the depths)
Prices in Moscow clinics
Prices for removing moles with liquid nitrogen in Moscow clinics average 1,000 – 1,500 rubles . The cost depends on the area of the treated area and the number of moles removed. The location and reputation of the clinic and the level of professionalism of the doctor influence the price formation.
| Clinic | Price (in rubles) | Procedure |
| Deltaclinic | 1 100 | Electrocoagulation of moles up to 0.5 cm |
| Family doctor | from 1 500 | Nevus removal with laser |
| Medinnova | from 950 | Burning out the tumor with liquid nitrogen |
| Health Clinic | from 800 | Cryodestruction of nevus |
The process of removing moles with liquid nitrogen
In medical practice, there are two main types of removal of such formations. The first is to apply a cotton swab, which is pre-saturated with liquid nitrogen. This procedure is suitable for those whose moles are located only on the surface layer of the skin, not in the inner layer. The tampon is adjusted for approximately three minutes. During this time, the area of skin becomes numb, and the mole itself dies.
If the core of the mole has penetrated deep into the epidermis of the skin, then the specialist, instead of a cotton swab, uses a special device called a cryodestructor. During the procedure, a special needle (there may be several of them) is inserted under the skin, which is connected to a thermometer, and through this needle the device supplies liquid nitrogen. A thermometer is needed to monitor the temperature and stop the process if necessary.
The removal process itself is short-lived, it all depends on the size and number of moles. The procedure takes no more than three minutes and is absolutely painless, so the patient does not need anesthesia.
