How to save money & safely remove unsightly skin tags from your neck using freeze spray?

Today many people are removing skin tags and warts at home using Freeze Spray

But is this a good idea?

In this blog, we will talk about the pros and cons of the DIY or freeze spray skin tag removal method. The questions are; does it work, does it hurt, what does it cost, and most importantly is it safe? What should you consider before trying this on yourself? We will compare the different methods for skin tag removal and give our conclusions at the end of the article.

Cryotherapy

This type of treatment falls under the category of cryotherapy and is a medical procedure. Skin tags warts okay not a pretty sight and can even make you feel a little self-conscience. There are natural methods of skin tag removal out there, but they usually take several days, so freeze spray has become an answer. Typically because it works much faster often overnight.

Dermatologist

Another question is, shouldn’t I have my dermatologist remove these things?  Most doctors or dermatologist will remove skin tags however it will come out of your pocket. The reason for this that the major insurance carriers such as Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, UnitedHealth Care, Cigna, and Medicare don’t consider skin tag removal to be a medical necessity. The only way to get your health insurer to pay is to prove medical necessity. If your doctor were to try to bill this procedure, the Explanation of Benefits would come back denied as ‘Not Medically Necessary’ or ‘Deemed a Cosmetic Procedure.’ There is, however, one exception, that is that if the skin tag is causing pain or becomes infected due to rubbing on clothing etc…. Even if these things are right the Insurance companies will still deny the claim in which case the doctor will need to send the chart notes and proof that this was medically necessary. Even after all that effort, the Claim will still often be denied. The best solution for most people has been to do is ask your dermatologist if they will do cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen on these pesky benign anomalies. It may cost more, but it will be done correctly, and under medical supervision.

History

A brief history, cryotherapy, has been around for a long time since the early 1900s. The availability, transporting and storing liquid nitrogen was a common practice by 1940.  And in the 1960’s the delivery system of spraying the super cold gas on skin was invented. It boils at minus 196° C okay that is super cold. This extreme cold when contacting human skin takes just a nanosecond to cause frostbite (medically known as necrosis – a cutting off the blood supply thereby killing the cells). So the idea would be to kill only the offensive cells, and not the surrounding tissue – minimize the collateral damage. Over freezing can produce permanent hypopigmentation and scarring. [Hypopigmentation can also be caused by disease, illness, burns, injury, and trauma to the skin. Hypopigmentation the loss of skin coloring, also known as skin depigmentation].

What is it?

Before we discuss the safety of freeze spray for the removal of skin tags, and the how to self-administer it. Let’s talk about what freeze spray is. Yea so what is freeze spray? Freeze spray was initially manufactured for histopathology laboratories for freezing cancerous tissue sections. This tissue is commonly referred to as frozen section much like a biopsy. Once removed from the patient’s skin; layers at either the epidermis (top layer of skin), or dermis level (deeper layer of skin). This process is done as part of a procedure known as Mohs Micrographic Surgery – a surgical procedure to remove skin cancer (this procedure will be explained in a future article we will publish later).  Another popular use for freeze spray is in the electronics field to cool down hot solder joints on circuitry. Yes, that’s right circuit boards like computers and things. Freeze spray can be purchased for both commercial or retail use at a cost between $20 to $30. It comes in an aerosol can (8-12 oz) and is made from 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane. It’s a non-hazardous and non-flammable liquid that gets to a chilling minus 63° C.

How does it work?

Whichever cryotherapy method is used the process is the transfer of heat, in this case rapidly removing heat, from that ugly unwanted skin tag or wart. Essentially intracellular damage is done to the unwanted cells or Skin Tags by rapid freezing, and slow thaw thereby damaging the epithelial cells – or tightly packed unsightly cells. The danger or concern is that cryotherapy can cause basement membrane separation with resultant blistering. Methods to mitigate this type of damage are applicators, specula, and adjustable liquid nitrogen sprayer. Keep in mind that a doctor must get informed consent to administer this procedure (skin tag removal procedure). And there is pain often involved. To lessen the pain the dermatologist will use a local anesthetic such as lidocaine injection or a topical anesthetic. This type of treatment will not work for tattoo removal the pigment that is used for a tattoo is deep into the dermal layer.

What about warts?

We’ve mentioned warts very little in this article for several reasons. Adequate destruction of warts requires much colder temperatures as that of liquid nitrogen. However, some have successfully treat warts with freeze spray. Its always recommended consulting with a dermatologist when dealing with viral warts, because they vary widely both in size and variety. So get them examined by an MD or a Dermatologist (recommended).

Precautions

If the freeze spray still seems right for you here are a few precautions to consider;

• Use a sterile tip applicator whenever possible soak it with the spray and immediately apply on the skin tag by either rubbing back and forth over the skin tag or pressing firmly against the skin tag lesion.
• Never use freeze spray near your eyes
• Use gloves and wear eye protection
• If spraying is directly on the lesion is necessary – ‘pulse spray’ never more than a short blast (however more than one blast may be needed).
• If possible us a clear funnel of specula directly over the skin tag or wart so you can see the area clearly and protect the surrounding tissue.
• Insulate the area around the offending skin tag to protect the surrounding tissue using self-stick corn cushions.

Is freeze spray safe for removing skin tags?

Generally yes it’s safe with some precautions (it has caused blistering and some minor skin damage). The cost is relatively low $20 to $30 compared to the Dermatologist (they charge between $ 75 to $150 depending the severity and number of tags to be removed). The results vary when using freeze spray it usually works, but sometimes it doesn’t, and worst case can cause minor skin damage. Oh yes, there is some pain like when your doctor says ‘you will feel a little pressure’.

Other treatments using cryotherapy/cryosurgery using liquid nitrogen that is administered by a licensed professional; Derm Doctor, PA, or qualified nurse, never use liquid nitrogen on yourself it is extremely cold and could cause permanent damage to the skin;

• Actinic keratosis (AK), and seborrheic keratosis
• Keloids and benign lesions
• Molluscum Contagiosum
• Some forms of skin cancer (Superficial; basal cell and Bowen disease)