Wednesday, December 1, 2010

What is that Cold Stuff?


Often times, we get asked by our patients, “What’s in those canisters?”  The answer: Liquid Nitrogen. Liquid Nitrogen therapy has been used by dermatologists for centuries.  And it is one of the most common treatments done here at Florida Skin Center.  Dr. Badia and staff use liquid nitrogen treatment for removal of warts, molluscum contagiosum, age spots and precancerous lesions. Liquid nitrogen is a cold liquefied gas with a boiling point of – 196C.  When liquid nitrogen is sprayed on a lesion on your skin, it “freezes” it and destroys the lesion. For larger lesions, more than one application of liquid nitrogen may be necessary to completely remove the lesion.  Liquid nitrogen is so cold that when it is initially sprayed on a spot, it feels hot and causes a burning sensation.  This burning sensation only lasts about 15-20 minutes.  However, we do offer numbing cream to our patients to minimize this discomfort. A few days after liquid nitrogen therapy, the lesion will become blistered and scabbed.  Most lesions will resolve with one treatment however warts and molluscum can take more treatments. 


Please remember to come and see us this Saturday at noon for our Fillers and Botox workshop.

Sincerely,
FSC

No comments:

Post a Comment