Cryotherapy of Lesions

Cryotherapy of lesions is performed as an outpatient procedure, and you’ll be able to go home shortly after your treatment is complete. The treatment is applied to each lesion for between a few seconds to around a minute. The length of your appointment will depend on the type and number of lesions to be treated. 

During your treatment: 

• your consultant will use a special spray device to apply liquid nitrogen to your lesion

• the frozen skin becomes white and takes 1 to 2 minutes to thaw back to normal skin temperature

• the procedure may need to be repeated for larger or thicker lesions

Cryotherapy for lesions is a generally safe treatment, but as with all medical procedures, there is a small risk of complications or side effects. Your consultant will discuss all the possible side effects of cryotherapy before your treatment and answer any questions you may have. 

Possible side effects of cryotherapy include: 

• pain – you may experience a throbbing or aching pain after your cryotherapy treatment 

• swelling and redness around the treated area 

• blisters – blisters may be filled with clear or bloody fluid, which may ooze over the next few days. They will usually then scab over, and the scab will fall off naturally in 1 to 2 weeks 

• infection 

• scarring 

• changes in your skin colour – the skin in the treated area can become lighter or darker than the surrounding skin 

• hair loss in the treated area

Your consultant will give you instructions on how to prepare for your cryotherapy treatment. 

You may be advised to: 

• avoid applying any skin products, such as lotions, powders or makeup, to the area to be treated before your cryotherapy session

• avoid sun exposure for at least a week before your appointment

• avoid using harsh skin products or treatments, including depilatory creams, waxing, electrolysis, and laser hair removal on the area to be treated for a week before treatment

• wear loose, comfortable clothes on the day of your cryotherapy to prevent clothes from rubbing the treated area after your treatment 

Tell your consultant about any medications you take regularly and any medical conditions or allergies you have before starting cryotherapy.

You’ll be able to go home when your cryotherapy treatment is complete. There’s no recovery time needed, and you can return to normal activities, including driving and returning to work, as soon as you feel able to. 

You may have some pain and discomfort in the treated area after your cryotherapy treatment. Take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol if you need to. 

Aim to keep the treated areas dry for the first 24 hours after your cryotherapy treatment. After this, you can gently wash and pat the area dry with a soft, clean towel. Applying petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) will help the area heal and prevent it from crusting or drying out. Make sure you keep the treated area clean while it is healing. 

Your consultant will usually arrange a follow-up consultation with you within a week of your procedure to discuss your results. 

A few days after your cryotherapy procedure, a scab will form where the lesion was removed. This will drop off in around 1 to 2 weeks. Typically, a wound will take approximately 2 to 3 weeks to heal over. Scarring may occur and initially be red and raised, but will usually reduce in colour and size over several months.

If you have any questions or concerns during your recovery, please get in touch for advice.

Please contact our Skin Health centre for pricing information.

At Welbeck, our dermatologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To book cryotherapy for lesions, you must be referred by either your GP or a dermatologist, following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this treatment.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with a dermatologist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.