With cryotherapy, you may notice temporary pigmentation changes, but scarring is infrequent. Electrodessication may leave small white marks.

Unlike many popular treatments now available for skin tags, medical treatments are much more effective with less side effects. Dr. Nield sees at least one patient per day who has tried over the counter skin tag products, only to be disappointed with the results, and at times, suffering from side effects. Please see Dr. Nield for proper, safe and effective removal of benign yet bothersome skin tags.

The doctor sprays liquid nitrogen directly onto the skin lesion to freeze it. Liquid nitrogen is easy to apply, requires no anesthesia, and rarely leaves a scar after the area has healed.

Once your skin has been frozen with liquid nitrogen, you will likely feel a stinging or burning sensation

that peaks about two minutes after the treatment, as your skin thaws. You will experience some redness and swelling, then 2-24 hours later, a blister will form. After a couple of days, it will crust over and fall off. Healing occurs within 7-14 days.

Patient’s Informed Consent Form For Cryotherapy (Liquid Nitrogen)

Liquid Nitrogen is -196°C and has been applied today by Dr. Nield for the treatment of one of the following:

• Mollescum Contagiosum
• Benign Seborrheic Keratoses
• Actinic Keratoses
• Skin Tags
• Dermatofibromas
• Pyogenic Granulomas
• Some superficial Skin Cancers

I understand that the treated lesion(s) may blister in 2 to 24 hours, then a crust (scab) will form and there may be swelling and redness around the treated area. The crust may last for 8 to 12 days. If I pick it off, it will increase the risk of scarring.

I understand that possible side effects include:

• scarring
• skin discolourations – lighter or darker skin colour
• it may be red for a number of weeks after treatment
• the lesion may need subsequent treatment(s)
• there is a small risk of infection occuring
• the lesion may reoccur
• the lesion may itch during healing.

I understand that I can shower within 12 hours, I can wear a band-aid to protect the lesion for a few days- please FIX space between few and days. Or even apply Cicaplast.

I will not rub the crust off with a towel or face cloth, but will pat it gently with a towel.

I will not apply moisturizers or makeup on the treated area(s) until the crust has fallen off.

I will avoid sun exposure for at least one-month post treatment.

I am aware that one (1) session consists of one (1) to twelve (12) lesions and there will be a set fee for each session.

I agree to photographs being taken to evaluate treatment effectiveness, for medical education, training, professional publication or sales purposes. No photographs revealing my identity will be used without my written consent. If my identity is not revealed, these photographs may be used and displayed publicly without my permission.

If I have any concerns, I will contact Dr. Nield.
Patient’s Name: ________________________________________________________ Patient’s Signature:____________________________ Date:___________________ For more information about cryotherapy, please see our section on wart removal.

Electrodessication involves selective destruction of individual skin growths by dehydrating cells. The lesion is destroyed by bursts of an electric current applied by Dr. Nield. Immediately after a treatment, the growth will develop a grey/white crust and may have surrounding redness and mild swelling. The crust will darken within a day, and depending on the location, will heal in 3 to 7 days.

For moles and large skin tags, we use local anesthetic. The lesion is then shaved off and the area is cauterized until bleeding stops. The crust will heal in 7 to 14 days and there will be some redness that will fade with time. There will be a small residual scar. Very rarely, a keloid or excess scar tissue develops, often the result of a hereditary condition. Overall, most individuals are very pleased with the final cosmetic result.

Electrodessication has been done today by Dr. G. Nield for the treatment of _________ (Keratosis, moles, skin tags, Telangiectases, Angiomas, A.K’s, skin cancer and spider naevi.

I understand that the treated lesion(s) will immediately have a white/grey crust on the surface and may have surrounding redness and swelling. The crust may get darker within a day and depending on the location will last for 1-2 weeks. (Face usually 1 week, neck, rest of the body-2 weeks, and legs can

last 2-3 weeks). If I pick the crust off, it will increase the risk of scarring. I understand that possible side effects include:

• Scarring
• Skin discoloration-lighter or darker
• It may be red for a number of weeks after the crust falls off
• The lesion may need subsequent treatments
• There is a small risk of infection occuring
• The lesion may reoccur
• Blood vessel lesions occasionally actually increase in size after treatment (eg: spider naevi)

I understand that I can shower within 12 hours, I can wear a band-aid to protect the lesion for a few days. Or even apply Cicaplast. However, often times; I can expose the crust to the air and let it dry up and fall off on its own.

I will not apply moisturizers or makeup on the treated area until the crust has fallen off. I will avoid sun exposure after treatment, at least one month.

For patients who have had a mole removed using a shave biopsy technique. Since Xylocaine is used, it will be numb for 1 hour, it usually does not hurt once the freezing wears off, but may itch as it heals. Once the crust falls off, the skin may be red for a number of weeks. This will fade eventually, and can be covered with makeup. There will be a small scar at the side of the prior mole. Very rarely excess scar tissue forms. This is called a keloid. Notify Doctor Nield if this happens. Occasionally the mole will reoccur and may need re-treatment.

For patients who have had a skin cancer (BCC or SCC) removal-remember-by doing a shave biopsy and then dessication and scraping the skin at least 3 times gives a 90% cure rate .The crust can last 2-4 weeks.

There is a small chance of infection – use topical antibiotic cream 2×1 day for 1-2 weeks. Wash gently, pat dry and put on antibiotic cream, may cover with bandaid for first few days.

I agree to photographs being taken to evaluate treatment effectiveness, for medical education, training, professional publication or sales purposes. No photographs revealing my identity will be used without my written consent. If my identity is not revealed, these photographs may be used and displayed publicly without my permission.

Patient’s Name:________________________________________________________

Patient’s Signature:_____________________________Date