Tattoos are meant to be a permanent piece of art. However, many methods have been developed for their removal. Some will work better than others and some will take longer to work. Cryosurgery is one such option. But is it an effective tattoo remover? Let’s find out.
What Is Cryosurgery?
Also known as cryotherapy, it involves the application of extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue such as cataracts, warts and skin cancers. It was not originally intended for removing tattoos and wasn’t utilized for this purpose until recently.
How Does It Work?
This technique is typically used in conjunction with dermabrasion. The affected area is first sprayed with a freezing agent, usually liquid nitrogen to create a localized frostbite. Then the skin is “sanded” with a rotary abrasive instrument to remove the dermis and epidermis, taking the ink pigment with it. Because it can be extremely painful, this procedure is preformed under local anaesthetic or local and oral IV sedation.
How Well Does It Work?
As with most tattoo remover methods, individual results will vary. Successful freezing will depend on the body’s reaction and ability to heal. It is not recommended for those with sensitive skin or for those who scar easily. The freezing procedure will also be more difficult on large amounts of green and yellow ink pigments. Cryosurgery is also not recommended on professional tattoos where the ink has been injected deeper into the skin.
What Are The Drawbacks?
Although not as expensive as laser removal, this procedure is not cheap either. And because this type of surgery is cosmetic, it is most often not covered by insurance policies. Nevertheless, the biggest drawback is that it may potentially damage the nearby healthy tissue. Additionally, some form of scar formation is mostly expected, therefore it is mostly used on smaller tattoos. It should be noted that more than one session will be required for freezing to have any significant results.
Cyrotherapy can be an effective tattoo remover, but it’s success can come with a price, figuratively and literally speaking. Not only does this method have the potential to scar, but the more treatments it takes, the more costly it will be. Truth be told, there are less expensive and invasive alternatives worth looking in to.