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What are Freckles?

What causes Freckles?

How can I remove/get rid
of freckles?

Does tanning impact
freckles?

Can they be dangerous/
cancerous?

How can I prevent them?

Laser Freckle Removal

	How much does it cost?
	Does it hurt?

Freckle Fading Creams

Cryosurgery for freckle
removal

Choosing a Doctor

Pre-treatment questions

American Academy of
Dermatology

American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery

American Society for
Dermatologic Surgery

AAFPRS

Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery is the freezing of skin growths and lesions with liquid nitrogen, resulting in their removal.

Rarely Used for Freckles

Cryosurgery is rarely performed on freckles as they are typically too small to be effectively treated with it. Cryosurgery is more commonly performed on brown spots such as solar lentigos.

The Treatment

During cryosurgery a physician will apply liquid nitrogen, either with a spray gun or with a cotton tip-type applicator and cause the top layer of skin to peel off. One problem with this treatment is that it is harder to control than laser treatment. Lasers won't go deeply into the skin because it is controlled by the physics of the skin. If the pigment is superficial, the laser will penetrate superficially. With cryosurgery the result is more controlled by how long the nitrogen is in contact with the skin, making accidental over-treatment more possible. This may result in permanent white spotting.

For more information see: Removing Freckles, Laser Freckle Removal, & Choosing a Doctor

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Last Modified: October 22, 2007

Frequently Asked Questions
	What are Freckles?	Can Freckles be Cancerous?
	What Causes Freckles?	How Can I Prevent Them?
	What is Laser Freckle Removal?	What are melanocytes?
	How Can I Remove / Get Rid of Freckles?	What are keratinocytes?
	Does Tanning Cause Freckles?	What is melanin?

The information contained in the above article is purely for educational purposes and is not intended to provide any medical advice. Always consult with your physician before having any medical procedure performed.

Cryosurgery

Rarely Used for Freckles

The Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions