Skin protection for subdermal cryogenic remodeling for cosmetic and other treatments

An apparatus for cryogenically treating tissue, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing having a proximal and distal end, the housing including a heat source;
• at least one needle probe extending from the distal end of the housing and comprising at least one elongate needle having a distal needle shaft portion and a proximal needle shaft portion, wherein the proximal needle shaft portion is more conductive than the distal needle shaft portion, wherein the proximal needle shaft portion extends axially along a longitudinal axis of the at least one elongate needle, and wherein the at least one elongate needle comprises a first conductive material at the distal needle shaft portion and a second conductive material at the proximal needle shaft portion conductively coupled to the first conductive material, the at least one elongate needle configured to be advanced into non-target tissue layered above target tissue such that the first conductive material at the distal needle shaft portion is positioned within and in contact with the target tissue and the second conductive material at the proximal needle shaft portion is positioned within and in contract with the non-target tissue;
• and
• a cooling supply tube internally housed within the at least one elongate needle, wherein the cooling supply tube includes an exit within the at least one elongate needle.