Cryotherapy is a relatively low-risk treatment and side effects and complications are usually minimal. Some side

effects may occur as a result of the treatment. These include:

• Headaches are not uncommon when freezing on the forehead, scalp and temples and can last for 2 hours.

• Pigment changes. Both hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin) and hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin). Both generally last a few months, but can be longer lasting.

• Nerve damage. Though rare, damage to nerves is possible, particularly in areas where they lie closer to the surface of the skin, such as the fingers, the wrist, and the area behind the ears. Reports suggest this will disappear within several months.

• A blister may appear in the treated area and can last anything from a few hours to a few days, dependent on the area to be treated.

• Shards of frozen ice. The innovation of Cryotherapy is the direct application of Nitrous Oxide under high pressure (55 bar). This high pressure jet may cause minor shards of frozen ice in the air blown away in a circle of approximately 30cm. They will thaw the moment they would eventually touch healthy skin.

• Treatments on sites with coarse terminal hair. Hair follicles are easily damaged by Cryosurgery and permanent alopecia is not uncommon.

It is recommended to use sun block (factor 50) to protect treated areas.

Do ask your therapist any questions if there is anything that you are unsure about.

As part of your treatment we will be photographing the treatment area of your body/face (and in some cases, filming the treatment process). This will allow us to visually monitor your individual progress and see the results of your treatment over time. We would appreciate your willingness to share your outcomes and results with others, for both training and marketing purposes within the beauty, cosmetic and aesthetic industry. In all cases we will do everything we can to keep your identity anonymous.

SCLERODERMA AKA CRANIAL ARTHRITIS/GIANT CELL ARTHRITIS

Localised (skin) systemic (skin, blood, circulation and internal organs). Thickened skin, face, scalp, leg or arm.

Itchy, can affect skin anywhere on the body. Looks like oval skin patches.

RAYNAUD’S PHENOMENON

This affects the blood supply to certain parts of your body, normally fingertips and toes. They normally change colour and are painful. It’s narrowing of small blood vessels on exposure to cold, change of temperature or stress. In most cases, it’s an underlying symptom of the above.

IMMUNO SUPPRESSION

Immunodeficiency disorders are a group of disorders in which part of the immune system is missing or defective. Therefore the body’s ability to fight infections is impaired. As a result, the person with an immunodeficiency disorder will have frequent infections that are generally more severe and last longer.

CRYOGLOBULINEMIA

Means cold antibody in the blood. Drug use is a prime risk. Hepatitis C is acquired by injecting. Cryoglobulinsare antibodies that precipitate (occur unexpectedly and/or prematurely under cold conditions).

MULTIPLE MYELOMA

This is a cancer that starts in the bone marrow’s plasma cells. These cells usually produce the antibodies that fight infections. In Myeloma these cells produce abnormal proteins that stop antibody production. This adversely affects the inflammatory process and the immune system, thereby preventing the healing process and stopping Cryotherapy treatment from being effective against lesions.

PYODERMA GANGRENOSUM

Necrotic condition causing deep ulcers that usually occur on the legs. When they occur they lead to chronic wounds. Ulcers usually initially look like small bug bites and become larger. Two main types;

• The typical ulcerative form which occurs in the legs.

• An atypical form that is more superficial and occurs in the hands and other parts of the body.

ANTIHISTAMINES

The natural histamine produced by the body forms part of the healing response and should not be suppressed. It is advised that you do not take any histamine for 48 hours in advance and 24 hours following a Cryotherapy treatment.

PLATELET DEFICIENCY DISEASE

Blood is made up of several types of cells floating in liquid known as plasma. Types of blood cells;

• Red blood cells

• White blood cells

• Platelets or Thrombocytes

• When your skin is injured or broken, platelets group together and form clots to prevent bleeding. Without enough platelets in the blood, the body cannot create blood clots.

• Low platelets can also be known as Thrombocythemia – low platelets are a result of a medical condition i.e. certain drugs, Leukaemia.

• Bone marrow is the spongy inside of your bone. This is where all components of blood including platelets are formed. If your bone marrow is not producing enough platelets you will have a low platelet count.

PREGNANCY & BREASTFEEDING

For obvious reasons, it is not advisable to complete treatments whilst pregnant.

CRYOTHERAPY CANNOT BE USED IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:

• Hepatitis

• Diabetes

• Compromised Auto-Immune System

• Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type III (HTLV III)

• Lymphadenopathy Associated Virus (LAV)

• Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE), Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (nvCJD) or any syndrome, condition or virus of a similar kind to the foregoing specific medical conditions listed above, howsoever it may be named, or any mutation, derivative or variation thereof.

DERMAL FILLERS

Avoid treating any area that has been previously treated using dermal fillers as pitting may result if the dermal filler has not been placed correctly.

Please note that if the immune system is in any way compromised by a medical condition that is so far undiagnosed or even as a result of the flu or perhaps a common cold, then your immune system may be compromised which may result in unpredictable healing.

ORAL MEDICATION WHICH AFFECTS HEALING IN WOUNDS OR TISSUE DAMAGE

• Anticoagulants: Warfarin, Heparin, Coumarin, Apixaban

• NSAIs: Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Brufen (ok in low dose i.e. daily aspirin for prevention)

• Immunosuppressants (oral Steroids): Prednisolone, Prediolone, Methylprednisolone, Medrol, Cyclosporin, Azothiaprine

• Cycloxygenase inhibitors: DF118 Voltarol

• Chemotherapy (oral): Methotrexate

• Appetite suppressants: E.g. XLS medical

EXPECTATIONS

Treatment is usually painless, or with slight discomfort. Initially, immediately after the treatment has been applied, you may get any of the following which will have been explained to you when you signed the consent form.

• Redness due to the initial inflammation, this is normal and is part of the healing process. The area may also be slightly raised

• You may get a small dry scab - do not pick or pull the scab, allow it to come away by itself

• Itching may occur, usually within a few minutes of treatment. It usually lasts only a few minutes but may last up to ½ an hour. It is due to release of histamine, and is totally normal in treatment of this kind

• Blisters may form with any treatment to the skin and can happen to anyone. Any blisters which do form, may last just a few hours or a few days dependent on the location that has been treated. Blistering may occur after treatment of any type of lesion. Any blistering will not affect the outcome of the treatment

BLISTERING

If blistering does occur, it is regarded as a normal occurrence. Do not pop the blister - it will go down on its own.

Should it burst, use an alcohol-free wipe to clean the area, and apply a smear of antiseptic cream. It may also be covered with a dressing/plaster.

FOLLOWING TREATMENT WITH CRYOTHERAPY DO NOT:

• Scratch or pick the treated area - this will cause the area to take longer to heal and may cause damage to the skin

• Use scrubs on the area, as this will damage the surface of the skin

• Most healing is straightforward and occurs without problem

• Most healing will take place in 4 to 6 weeks, however it may sometimes take longer than this, as all skin varies, and can take longer to regenerate

  Any treatments that take longer than 6 weeks to heal may need to be reviewed by your GP or clinic nurse

• If your immune system is compromised, you may still have treatment, BUT healing may take longer, and you may require further treatment

• If the area treated is tanned, the treatment will remove the tanning and the skin will need to repigment to the tanned colour. The small dry crusting that forms should come away after 4 weeks, if not please wait until it has done so before contacting the clinic/salon

• During the healing time you may shower/wash as normal and use your usual cosmetics, including makeup, deodorants and moisturising creams

SKIN TAGS;

• These will turn darker from the base and will dry up and fall off over 1 to 6 weeks as the skin heals beneath them

• Larger tags may need a second treatment

• If the tag becomes sore or rubs against clothing it may be covered with a dressing or plaster

MILIA

• These are generally small superficial cysts filled with keratin. They usually flatten and vanish with a single treatment and require no aftercare

• Follow the advice for blisters should one form

PIGMENTATION;

• The area will often become red and raised and will go down after a few hours. The pigment will then become darker and a dry crust will form

• When the crust falls away, the new skin beneath is pink and shiny, this is NOT scarring. It is important at this stage that you use sun block minimum factor 50 to prevent the pigmentation returning

CHERRY ANGIOMA/CAMPBELL DE MORGAN

• The area will often become red and raised and will go down after a few hours

• The lesion will shrink away and slowly vanish over 2 to 6 weeks

WARTS AND VERRUCAE;

• As these are viral infections they may need more than one treatment to destroy the infected cells

• The second treatment can be completed 4 weeks after the first

• If you see black spots in the wart or verruca then it is dying away and should disappear over the next few weeks

• There is no specific aftercare

• Follow the advice for blisters should one form

PIGMENTED MOLES;

• Must be diagnosed as benign by a medically qualified practitioner

• Following treatment, the mole will darken and crust over

• As the fine crust slowly comes away, the tissue will shrink and be paler than the surrounding skin

• It will slowly blend into the normal pigment colour of the skin over the next few weeks

• It is important that you use sun block (factor 50) to prevent the skin from pigmenting dark again

KERATOSIS

• Must be diagnosed as benign by a medically qualified practitioner

• Following treatment, they will crust and darken

• As they heal, the crusting may come away in patches

• The new tissue will come through paler than surrounding area and requires sun block (factor 50) to protect from pigmenting darker

It is important that you use sun block (factor 50) following treatment of any pigmented lesions to prevent them re-pigmenting. You may continue to wash, bathe and shower as normal. Pat the area dry afterwards, do not rub dry.

You may continue to use cosmetics and deodorants and perfume as normal. If the treated area is weeping 2 weeks after treatment contact your us for advice.