Cryotherapy is the use of extreme cold to freeze and remove abnormal tissue. Physicians use it to treat many skin conditions (including warts and skin tags) and some cancers, including prostate, cervical and liver cancer. Liquid nitrogen, argon gas or liquid nitrous oxide is used to create this extreme cold.
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Cryotherapy is the use of extreme cold to freeze and remove abnormal tissue. Physicians use it to treat many skin conditions (including warts and skin tags) and some cancers, including prostate, cervical and liver cancer. Liquid nitrogen, argon gas or liquid nitrous oxide is used to create this extreme cold.
Cryotherapy is a minimally invasive therapy that removes damaged or diseased tissue, and is usually done without open surgery, and people recover quickly with little pain.
Cryotherapy is Recommended For:
- Warts,
- Skin tags,
- Dark spots,
- Bone cancer,
- Cervical cancer,
- Liver cancer,
- Prostate cancer,
- Precancerous cells in the cervix (lower end of the uterus),
- Precancerous skin conditions and early-stage skin cancers (including squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma), and
- Retinoblastoma (cancer of the retina in children).
The two methods to freeze tissue depend on the location of the damaged or diseased tissue.
External. If the damaged or diseased tissue is located on the skin, the physician will typically use a spraying device or a cotton swab to apply the freezing agent. After external cryotherapy, the treated area will turn red, blister and peel off so healthy new skin can grow. Any mild pain should dissipate after three days, and the treated area will form a scab, which then heals within one to three weeks.
Internal. For the damaged or diseased tissue inside the body, such as precancerous cells or a tumor, the physician will use a cryoprobe, which is inserted through a small incision in the skin. When the damaged or diseased cells freeze and die during internal cryotherapy, the body’s immune system helps clear the tissue out of the body. Mild pain or soreness can be expected in the affected area for up to three days. Women who have cryotherapy on the cervix may have a watery discharge for up to a few weeks.
Estheticians performing electrodessication services can remove non-cancerous lesions. However, this does depend on the state you reside in and your scope of license. Cryoablation for cancer is a medical treatment and is becoming used more frequently due to the successful outcomes.
Scalp Cooling
Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) still presents as a negative side effect for cancer survivors, which impacts the survivor’s quality of life, and it may sometimes influence treatment decisions. Scalp cooling has been shown to be effective in preventing chemotherapy-induced alopecia.
Newer versions of scalp cooling systems use a two-piece cooling cap that is controlled by a computer that helps circulate a cooled liquid through a cap a person wears during each chemotherapy treatment. A second cap, made from neoprene (a type of artificial rubber), covers the cooling cap to hold it in place and keep the cold from escaping.
The theory behind scalp cooling is that the cooling constricts blood vessels in the scalp, which in turn, is thought to reduce the amount of chemotherapy that reaches the cells of the hair follicles. The cold also decreases the activity of the hair follicles and makes them less attractive to chemo, which targets rapidly dividing cells. This could reduce the effect of chemo on the follicle cells and, as a result, prevent or reduce hair loss from the scalp.
A recent study, put out by one of the FDA-approved brands, has shown the safety, efficacy and low-grade toxicity of their system with a 66.3% success rate in hair preservation (n = 106) relative to 0% in a non-randomized control group.1
It cannot be guaranteed that scalp cooling will prevent all survivors undergoing chemotherapy from losing any or all of their hair. Some research suggests that people with a thicker layer of hair might be more likely to lose hair than those with a thinner layer of hair. This might be because the scalp doesn’t cool down enough due to the insulating effect of the hair.
Scalp cooling caps that are not fitted tightly have also been linked with more hair loss, often in patches where contact with the scalp is poor. The severity of chemotherapy induced alopecia and the purchase and wearing of wigs and head covers were significantly lower among scalp-cooled than non-scalp-cooled patients. Overall, scalp cooling reduced the use of wigs and head covers by 40%. Among 84 scalp-cooled patients who purchased a wig (53%), only 52 patients actually wore it (62%), and they just wore it intensively (86% daily) for less than six months (80%). Young patients especially camouflaged CIA with a head cover instead of a wig.2
The relatively long duration of CIA, the wish of many patients to camouflage or rather prevent it and the 40% reduction for head covering by scalp cooling, makes it a worthwhile supportive intervention. The most common side effects have been headaches, so a survivor prone to headaches and migraines may find this very uncomfortable. Scalp pain, as well as neck and shoulder discomfort can be experienced. Also, a person prone to feeling cold will find this unpleasant.
Scalp cooling in the U.S. can now be offered as a part of standard of care. This can be applied by the survivor themselves with the assistance of a medical team. Estheticians can always recommend scalp cooling as another option to wigs, scarfs, etc., especially if the person is concerned about their appearance and loss of hair.
Cooling Slippers and Gloves
Cool slippers and gloves are also used to expose the feet and hands to cold temperatures. A person also wears them during chemotherapy to potentially reduce damage to the nails, skin and nerves. Wearing frozen socks or cold gel slippers can reduce the likelihood of loose nails, as nails can sometimes become infected and fall off due to chemotherapy. Frozen gloves also help with the numbness, tingling and pain a person may otherwise feel in their hands.
Cold gel slippers can soothe tired feet, and they can also provide comfort to tissues and nerves during chemotherapy (See Hand-Foot Syndrome Sidebar). When the slippers or gloves are put on, heat to the area is eliminated and in the same way that scalp cooling works, cold gel slippers and gloves offer comfort and may help prevent permanent damage caused by chemotherapy. They also reduce bruising and swelling and even help prevent or reduce pain.
According to a study, 33% of those who wore frozen socks lost some ability to sense warmth. However, 58% of those who didn’t wear frozen socks lost their sensitivity to temperature. This study proved that the statistical differences were significant and were directly related to the frozen sock treatment, not due to chance.3
Estheticians can also recommend hand and foot cooling treatments especially if the person will incur damage to their hands, feet and nails and this is concerning for them. Once, again, these changes may affect the person’s appearance and cause psychological distress.
Ice Globes
Cool ice gloves can help to eliminate inflamed skin, redness and can calm the skin after waxing, peels, microdermabrasion, extractions and electrolysis. While these services may not be an option during cancer treatment, people sometimes experience puffy eyes, headaches, swelling and bruising, so ice globes can provide added benefits by stimulating the microcirculation, and therefore, helping to oxygenate the skin.
Many drugs and radiation to the head and neck can causes changes to the eyes or ability to see, including blurred vision, seeing halos, loss of areas of sight, headaches, dry eyes, tearing, light sensitivity or itching. Some problems might be eased by simple measures: eyelid massage, steroid and antibiotic combinations, ice packs, artificial tears, warm compresses and electing not to wear contact lenses. Estheticians can use the ice globes to massage the eyelids to help drain and soothe the skin.
Itchy skin can benefit from cooling. Apply cool cryogel polymer patches to the skin, and the ice globes can be gently glided over itchy areas. Estheticians trained to drain areas of swelling or inflammation can use ice globes for a successful outcome.
Cryogel Polymer Patches
These patches can be used as an after-care treatment for spa and at-home use for clients after laser, dermabrasion, dermal fillers, microneedling, threading, peels, tattooing, tattoo removal, acne, rosacea, dermatitis and other skin related irritations.
Cryogel polymer patches are made using non-toxic pharmaceutical grade polymer and they have active ingredients formulated into the gels. They are instantly cooling without storing them in a refrigerator. These patches are safe for use for both cosmetic and medical procedures and can be used on clients undergoing treatment for cancer as:
- explorative surgery and diagnostic surgery,
- surgical removal of tumors and
- reconstructive surgery.
Post surgery, these patches will help to destroy biofilm and kill pathogens that might be protected by the biofilm. They can help to stop bleeding in an acute wound and are considered a potent wound healing agent.
These patches can also be used during and post anti-cancer drug therapy regimens. Skin that has been medically sensitized, red, inflamed and dry from medications can benefit from these patches. They will help to hydrate and moisturize the skin; plus, they are soothing and comforting to the skin.
Certain drugs can cause photosensitivity and skin can easily be burnt when exposed to the sun, so these Cryogel polymer patches can provide cooling and soothing to that area.
The Cryogel polymer patches can also be used post radiation therapy. Skin radiated from an external source is compromised and erythema (redness) and inflammation occurs during the process of radiation therapy. If the client’s skin becomes ulcerated, the patches can be used once it starts to heal to help prevent infection and scarring. Estheticians can use and recommend Cryogel polymer patches and can also retail these patches.
Patient Care First
These tools can help you provide comfort to your clients who are fighting cancer before, during and after their cancer treatments. Always make sure you are practicing and providing treatment and care within your scope when working with any of your clients.
Morag Currin is an esthetic instructor with more than 27 years of spa industry experience and more than 12 years of training and training management experience. She is the founder of Oncology Training International and the author of Oncology Esthetics: A Practitioner’s Guide Revised & Expanded and Health-challenged Skin: The Estheticians’ Desk Reference.
