Cryotherapy for Age Spots: Is Liquid Nitrogen Treatment for Age Spots Worth It?

Age spots, alternatively referred to as liver spots or solar lentigines, are small patches of darkened skin that emerge after extensive sun exposure. These spots typically appear in adults over the age of 50, but can also affect younger individuals who spend a significant amount of time under the sun.

Statistically speaking, age spots are quite prevalent among older adults. The Mayo Clinic reports that these spots are very common among individuals aged 50 and above. A separate study highlights that around 75 percent of Caucasian individuals over the age of 60 tend to develop these spots. Alarmingly, dermatologists have begun noticing an increase in age spots among patients in their 20s and 30s.

For women, in particular, age spots can pose considerable cosmetic concerns. These spots are often linked with aging, which may lead many women to seek out various treatments to reduce or remove them, all in a bid to preserve a youthful appearance. One of them is through cryotherapy.

Cryotherapy: A Comprehensive Overview

Cryotherapy is a therapeutic procedure that employs extreme cold, generated by liquid nitrogen, to destroy abnormal tissue. This treatment is routinely used to address a wide array of benign and malignant tissue damage, ranging from warts and moles to precancerous lesions and skin cancers.

Notably, the use of cryotherapy is not new; it has been practiced in various forms for centuries. The application of cold therapy traces back to Napoleon’s era, and in the world of gynecology, cold treatment was used as early as 1883.

However, the cryotherapy we know today, specifically the use of liquid nitrogen, became commercially available after World War II, introduced into clinical practice by Dr. Ray Allington in 1950. Yet, the idea of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) was born later, in 1978, invented by Toshima Yamauchi, a Japanese medical doctor who sought a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

Though the technique has been around for some time, it gained significant popularity in recent decades, particularly after European rugby and football teams started using it. Now, it’s widely recognized as a potent tool for a range of applications, including the reduction of age spots.

Essentially, cryotherapy boasts numerous advantages. It is relatively quick and non-invasive, and it has demonstrated effectiveness across multiple medical contexts. Intriguingly, cryotherapy has been identified as a potentially beneficial approach for reducing or even eliminating age spots. But the question remains, is it truly worth the investment?

The Use of Cryotherapy for Age Spots

Cryotherapy has emerged as an effective technique for treating age spots since it first gained traction in dermatology around 1955. It initially advocated the use of Freons (fluorinated hydrocarbons with a low boiling point) for firming skin. Over time, this method evolved, and liquid nitrogen became the preferred choice due to its extremely low temperature. The extreme cold leads to a controlled destruction of the excess pigment that forms the spots, causing them to fade.

As the healing process unfolds, the skin in the treated area becomes lighter, thereby reducing the visibility of the age spots. It is crucial to remember that the quantity of sessions needed can vary significantly, depending on elements like the size and depth of the age spots.

Post-procedure care is exceedingly important for patients who undergo cryotherapy. They are required to apply a specific type of ointment to the treated area to aid in healing and minimize potential side effects. It’s also crucial to avoid sun exposure on the treated area during the healing phase. Temporary side effects such as redness, irritation, and blistering may occur, but these usually subside as the skin heals.

Step-by-Step Guide: Cryotherapy Treatment for Age Spots

Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide of the process from start to finish:

Consultation

Your dermatologist will assess your skin’s condition and go over your treatment options during your initial consultation. In the event that cryotherapy is recommended, the practitioner will go over the process, any possible side effects, and aftercare guidelines.

Preparation

The treatment area is cleaned thoroughly. No anesthesia is typically required as the procedure involves minimal discomfort.

Treatment

The dermatologist applies liquid nitrogen using a spray device or cotton-tipped applicator directly onto the age spots. This freezes the excess pigment, causing it to break up.

Immediate Aftercare

The treated area may develop a crust, blister, or scab within 24 hours of treatment. This is part of the healing process.

Post-Treatment Care

You’ll need to apply a specific ointment to the treated area as directed by your dermatologist. To avoid scarring, refrain from picking at the treated area.

Sun Protection

While the treated area is healing, it is critical to keep it out of the sun. When going outside, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30.

Monitoring Side Effects

Be prepared for temporary side effects like redness, irritation, and blistering. These usually subside as the skin heals.

Healing Time

Normally, the healing process takes one to two weeks. As the skin heals, it appears lighter, reducing the visibility of the age spots.

Follow-up Visits

Multiple treatments might be required, depending on the size and depth of the age spots. In order to track your development and determine whether additional treatments are required, your dermatologist will set up follow-up appointments. 

Cryotherapy for Age Spots: Is The Procedure Worth It?

Cryotherapy has undeniably shown efficacy in the removal of age spots. However, when it comes to evaluating its value, more factors come into play. One must consider the cost-effectiveness of the treatment, which can fluctuate based on the number of spots to be treated, their size, and the individual’s skin’s response to the procedure.

The cost of cryotherapy for age spots varies widely, typically ranging from $75 to $400 per session depending on the size and number of spots. Multiple sessions might be required for optimal results, adding to the total cost. Therefore, the financial investment is certainly a key consideration when determining the worth of this treatment.

Looking at the long-term perspective, the permanence of the results largely depends on the individual’s lifestyle post-treatment. Sun exposure and skin care regimen play a pivotal role in this aspect. If the individual continues to expose their skin to the sun without adequate protection, age spots may reappear, undermining the initial benefits of the treatment. Hence, diligent sun protection is crucial to maintain the results and prevent the recurrence of age spots.

Weighing Cryotherapy Against Other Age Spot Removal Procedures

In conclusion, cryotherapy stands out as a viable alternative for age spot removal. The procedure has a number of benefits that, in a dermatologist’s opinion, make it worthwhile to consider.

Cryotherapy is a relatively quick and simple procedure that can frequently be completed in just one office visit. Additionally, it provides precise treatment, focusing only on the age spots while leaving the surrounding skin unaffected. This accuracy lowers the possibility of scarring, which is a common worry with other age spot removal techniques.

The healing process post-cryotherapy is typically faster when compared to invasive procedures, with most patients seeing improvement within one to two weeks. Also, the discomfort associated with cryotherapy is generally minimal and temporary.

However, it’s important to remember that each patient is unique, and what works best will depend on individual circumstances, including the size, location, and depth of the age spots, as well as the patient’s overall health and skin type. Therefore, it’s always recommended to consult with a dermatologist to discuss all available options and decide on the best treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Remember, regardless of the treatment chosen, diligent sun protection is crucial to prevent further age spots and skin damage.