Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite widespread clinical use of cryogen spray cooling in conjunction with laser dermatologic surgery, in vivo cutaneous effects have not been systematically evaluated. OBJECTIVE: The authors characterize the in vivo cutaneous effects for Fitzpatrick skin types I through VI after CSC exposures of varying spurt durations and spurt delivery patterns. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-seven normal human subjects were exposed to single cryogen spurts from 10 to 80 milliseconds, and multiple spurt patterns consisting of two 20-millisecond spurts, four 10-millisecond spurts, and eight 5-millisecond spurts. Subjects were evaluated by clinical observation and photography at 1 hour, 1 day, and 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after CSC exposure. RESULTS: Acute erythema and urticaria were noted in 14 of 27 and 3 of 27 subjects, respectively. Transient hyperpigmentation occurred in 4 of 27 subjects but resolved spontaneously without medical intervention in all subjects by 8 weeks. No permanent skin changes were noted in any subjects. Skin reactions were more common with longer single-spurt durations and multiple spurt patterns. CONCLUSION: Acute erythema, urticaria, and, less commonly, transient hyperpigmentation were observed after CSC exposure. Permanent skin injury was not observed and is unlikely. © 2006 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. Published by Blackwell Publishing.