How long does cryotherapy take to work for sun spots?

The freezing briefly injures the targeted pigment-containing skin. The area may look red or swollen first, then become darker, blistered, or crusted. A crust can loosen and fall away as the surface repairs itself; do not judge the final result while this process is still happening.

The colour left behind may be lighter or darker than nearby skin for a while. Sun exposure can make uneven colour more noticeable, and a spot may need reassessment if it does not respond as expected. Cryotherapy is intended for a clinician-confirmed sun spot, also called a solar lentigo or age spot.

Keep the treated area clean and follow the dressing instructions given at the appointment. Avoid picking a blister or crust, because disturbing it can delay surface healing and increase irritation. Use gentle products and protect the area from sunlight with clothing or a broad-spectrum sunscreen once your clinician says it is suitable.

Arrange follow-up if the mark remains, changes in a new way, or you are unsure whether the treated lesion was the intended one. Take a clear photograph in similar lighting if your clinician wants to compare healing over time.

Contact the treating clinic if pain, redness, warmth, swelling, or discharge is increasing rather than easing, or if the wound develops spreading redness or a fever. Seek prompt assessment for a spot that bleeds repeatedly, forms a persistent sore, develops an irregular border, or changes in a way your clinician did not anticipate.

Ask how the lesion should look at each healing stage, when the dressing can be removed, what to use if a blister forms, and when the colour should be reviewed. Confirm whether this lesion needs a follow-up examination if it does not fade or shed as expected.