The Power of Cryotherapy

As a Nurse Practitioner with a passion for health, wellness, and evidence-based treatments, I’m excited to share insights into medical cryotherapy for skin health. This specialized approach uses controlled cold exposure to treat a variety of skin lesions, encouraging natural healing and skin renewal.

Whether you're managing a persistent wart, a precancerous lesion, or another benign skin condition, medical cryotherapy offers a safe and effective non-surgical option. In this blog, I’ll walk you through what cryotherapy is, how it’s used in a clinical setting, and what you can expect from treatment at Face First Medical Aesthetics & Wellness.

What is Cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy comes from the Greek words cryo (cold) and therapy (treatment). Though the method is modern, the concept of using cold for healing has been around for centuries. Ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians, used cold to reduce inflammation, and Hippocrates documented the use of ice for pain relief.

Today, cryotherapy is a refined medical technique that uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy unwanted or damaged skin tissue. At Face First Medical Aesthetics & Wellness, we focus exclusively on localized medical cryotherapy—specifically for skin lesions and other dermatological conditions.

The Science Behind Cryotherapy

When the skin is exposed to extremely cold temperatures, the blood vessels in the area temporarily constrict. This slows inflammation and damages the targeted tissue. As the area warms again, circulation increases, helping the body flush out dead cells and begin the repair process. The frozen lesion typically blisters, peels, and eventually falls away, revealing new, healthy skin underneath.

While cryotherapy is used in a variety of fields, our practice focuses on its medical use in dermatology. We do not offer whole-body or systemic cryotherapy. Our treatments are localized, precise, and performed under clinical supervision to ensure safety and the best possible outcome.

Key Mechanisms of Cryotherapy:

• Vasoconstriction & Vasodilation: During cold exposure, blood vessels constrict, limiting inflammation and numbing pain. Once the cold stimulus is removed, the vessels dilate, improving circulation, flushing out toxins, and delivering fresh nutrients to the affected area. This is beneficial in both general recovery and medical treatments such as cryosurgery and nerve cryotherapy.

• Reduction in Nerve Activity: Cold temperatures reduce nerve sensitivity, helping to alleviate pain and discomfort. This is why medical cryotherapy is used for nerve pain management, arthritis, and other chronic conditions where reducing nerve signalling can help patients find long-term relief.

• Endorphin Release: Exposure to extreme cold triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural "feel-good" hormones. This not only helps with stress reduction and mood enhancement but also plays a role in pain relief, making cryotherapy—both medical and regular—an effective tool for managing chronic pain and post-surgical discomfort.

While both regular cryotherapy and medical cryotherapy share these physiological effects, medical cryotherapy takes a more targeted, condition-specific approach, ensuring that treatments are customized, regulated, and often more intense for addressing serious medical concerns.

Regular vs. Medical Cryotherapy

As a Nurse Practitioner, I often see patients who are curious about cryotherapy—especially when they hear about celebrities and athletes using it for recovery. While cryotherapy has become a popular wellness trend, not all cryotherapy is the same. There’s a big difference between regular cryotherapy and medical cryotherapy, which is used to treat specific medical conditions under professional supervision. We offer medical cryotherapy Face First Medical Aesthetics & Wellness and if you’re considering cryotherapy, it’s important to understand which type for you.

Medical Cryotherapy

Medical cryotherapy is a targeted medical treatment used for specific health conditions. It is performed by healthcare professionals and follows strict medical guidelines. Some examples of medical cryotherapy include:

Cryosurgery: Freezing Away Skin Lesions and Precancerous Cells

Cryosurgery is a widely used technique in dermatology that utilizes liquid nitrogen (-196°C or -320°F) to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue. This method is highly effective for treating benign and precancerous skin conditions, such as:

• Warts – Caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), warts can be stubborn, but cryosurgery effectively removes them by freezing the infected tissue.

• Actinic keratosis – A precancerous skin condition resulting from sun damage, which can progress to squamous cell carcinoma if untreated.

• Seborrheic keratosis – A common, non-cancerous skin growth that often appears as a brown, waxy plaque.

  
  

• Basal and squamous cell carcinoma (early-stage) – Some superficial skin cancers can be treated with cryosurgery as an alternative to excision.

The procedure is quick and typically involves applying liquid nitrogen using a spray, cotton swab, or cryoprobe to precisely target the affected area. The extreme cold destroys abnormal cells, which then form a blister and naturally slough off over time, allowing new, healthy skin to develop.

Unlike regular cryotherapy, which is often used for general wellness or muscle recovery, medical cryotherapy is a clinical treatment designed to address specific medical concerns. If you'd like to learn more about how we use medical cryotherapy at Face First Medical Aesthetics & Wellness, please contact us directly.

If your goal is muscle recovery, relief from post-exercise soreness, or simply feeling refreshed, regular cryotherapy may be a better fit. However, if you're dealing with skin lesions or require treatment for a medical condition, medical cryotherapy is the appropriate choice—and it should always be administered under the supervision of a trained healthcare provider. At Face First Medical Aesthetics & Wellness, our focus is on providing safe, effective medical cryotherapy for dermatological needs.

As a Nurse Practitioner, I always encourage patients to have a conversation with a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment. Choosing the right type of cryotherapy depends on your health history and specific concerns. If you're unsure, a consultation can help determine the safest and most effective path forward.

We do not currently offer whole-body or internal cryotherapy. Our specialty is skin-focused medical cryotherapy tailored to support healthy, clear skin. If you're ready to take the next step in improving your skin health, we’re here to help.

Is Cryotherapy Safe?

Cryotherapy is generally safe when administered by trained medical professionals and used appropriately for the condition being treated. Since we focus exclusively on localized, skin-directed cryotherapy—and do not offer whole-body treatments—the systemic risks often associated with full-body cold exposure, such as frostbite or cardiovascular stress, are not relevant to our procedures.

However, localized cryotherapy still requires care to avoid potential side effects such as temporary redness, blistering, pigmentation changes, or skin irritation at the treatment site.

As always, individuals with cold sensitivities, Raynaud’s disease, certain skin conditions, or those who are pregnant should consult with a healthcare provider before undergoing any cryotherapy procedure.

General Myths and Facts About Cryotherapy

There are many misconceptions about cryotherapy. Let's separate fact from fiction:

Myth: Cryotherapy is only for athletes.

Fact: While athletes often use cryotherapy for recovery, localized treatments like those we provide can be beneficial for anyone looking to treat skin conditions, reduce inflammation, or improve skin tone.

Myth: Cryotherapy is painful.

Fact: Most people describe localized cryotherapy as a sharp cold or tingling sensation that passes quickly. Treatments are brief and generally well tolerated.

Myth: Cryotherapy helps with weight loss instantly.

Fact: This misconception comes from whole-body cryotherapy. The localized treatments offered at our clinic are focused on dermatological results, not metabolic effects.

Myth: Cryotherapy is dangerous.

Fact: When performed by qualified professionals, localized cryotherapy is safe and effective. We follow established medical protocols to ensure your comfort and minimize any risk.

Myth: Cryotherapy can cure all ailments.

Fact: Cryotherapy has many benefits, but it's not a cure-all. At Face First, we use it as a precise tool for skin health and lesion removal. It's most effective when used as part of a medically guided treatment plan.

Where to Get Cryotherapy

At Face First Medical Aesthetics & Wellness, we offer safe, targeted cryotherapy treatments specifically for skin lesions and dermatological concerns. Our focus is on delivering effective, medically supervised care using advanced techniques to treat conditions like warts, actinic keratosis, and benign skin growths.

What sets us apart is our personalized, clinical approach. All treatments are performed by qualified professionals in a modern, welcoming environment. Whether you're seeking the removal of a stubborn skin lesion or exploring options for non-invasive skin rejuvenation, our team ensures that every procedure is completed with precision, safety, and your personal well-being in mind.

What to Expect at Face First Medical Aesthetics & Wellness

If you're new to cryotherapy, you might wonder what the experience is like. Here's what you can expect during a medical, skin-focused cryotherapy session at our clinic:

Preparation: 

You’ll be comfortably positioned depending on the area being treated. The provider will clean and prepare the skin before applying liquid nitrogen. No special clothing or protective gear is required for localized treatments.

The Session: 

Cryotherapy for skin lesions typically lasts just a few minutes. The provider will apply liquid nitrogen using a spray, cotton swab, or cryoprobe to precisely target the area.

Post-Treatment: 

You may experience temporary redness, tingling, or blistering in the treated area. These effects are normal and usually resolve within a few days as the skin begins to heal and regenerate.

Results:

The treated lesion will usually blister and peel off over time, revealing new, healthy skin underneath. Healing times vary based on the type of lesion and your individual skin response, but most patients notice improvement within one to two weeks.

Why Choose Face First Medical Aesthetics & Wellness?

At Face First Medical Aesthetics & Wellness, we’re dedicated to helping you look and feel your best with treatments like Medical Cryotherapy that prioritize both immediate rejuvenation and long-term vitality.

Expertise and Experience

Our team is passionate about providing the highest level of care. We stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in medical aesthetics to ensure that you receive safe, effective, and proven treatments tailored to your needs.

Personalized Care

We take the time to understand your personal wellness goals. Every treatment plan is customized to ensure you achieve the best possible results while feeling supported throughout your journey.

Calm and Modern Facility

Our clinic is designed to provide a serene and welcoming environment, complete with the latest technology. We focus on cleanliness, safety, and comfort,  so every visit feels relaxing and restorative.

Holistic Wellness Approach

At Face First Medical Aesthetics & Wellness, we believe that true beauty, health and wellness go hand in hand. 

Commitment to Your Well-being

Your satisfaction and well-being are at the core of everything we do. Our goal is to help you feel safe, confident, refreshed, and empowered through personalized care and thoughtful treatment options.

Book Your Consultation Today

Ready for a life-changing treatment?

Ready to feel refreshed, revitalized, and recharged? Let’s chat! Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward unlocking the benefits of cryotherapy. Contact First Medical Aesthetics & Wellness to Book your personalized session. Our expert team is dedicated to helping you experience the power of cold therapy. With a commitment to cutting-edge treatments and personalized care, we’re here to help you feel your absolute best.

Thanks for reading!

Location: 21 Matchedash St S, Unit #104, Orillia, ON L3V 4W4

Phone: 705-418-2903

Email: Info@facefirstinjectables.com

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