Discoloration after Cryotherapy. Will this ever fully fade?

Question

I had cryotherapy done on some spots on my skin about 3 months ago. Does the discoloration ever fully fade? Or do I probably just need to give it more time? It has faded down to a pink/tan color

Joshua T Halka, MD · Answer

If you had cryotherapy to remove lesions on your face it will behave like a scar. Wound healing can take 1-2 years to fully mature and reach the color which it will stay for some time. You are near the worst time for wound color, my experience has been that usually between 1-3 months people have the most "redness" of their wounds and it gets better from there.
Give it time.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

That's hard and can happen. Sometimes you get red, then brown, then tan and pink.  The good news is it should continue to improve though a year or more can happen...

Discoloration after Cryotherapy. Will this ever fully fade?

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Discoloration after Cryotherapy. Will this ever fully fade?

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Skin Rejuvenation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.