What is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy (or cryosurgery) is a medical treatment that uses extreme cold to treat unwanted skin conditions or imperfections. In aesthetics, it’s commonly used to freeze and remove benign skin lesions such as skin tags, warts, age/sun spots, milia and other superficial bumps. The cold causes targeted cells to be destroyed while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy skin.
This is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that doesn’t require major surgery and usually has a short recovery period.
What skin concerns can it help with?
Cryotherapy in aesthetic practice may be used to treat:
- Skin tags
- Milia
- Warts and verrucae
- Age/sun spots
- Seborrhoeic keratoses and other benign pigmented lesions
- Other superficial benign skin irregularities
Our Specialist Nurse Prescriber will assess whether your specific concern is suitable for cryotherapy.
How does the treatment work?
During treatment, a device such as a CryoPen or liquid nitrogen spray is used to apply extremely cold temperatures to the targeted skin area. The cold freezes the cells in the lesion. This causes them to die and eventually slough off, while healthy surrounding tissue is preserved.
No general anaesthetic is usually needed. The procedure is performed in a clinic setting and typically takes only a few minutes per lesion.
What will I feel during the procedure?
- You may feel a cold sensation and occasional mild stinging or discomfort as the cold is applied.
- Discomfort is generally brief and well tolerated; no needles or surgical cuts are usually involved.
- If a deep freeze is needed, the sensation may be stronger and briefly more uncomfortable.
What happens after treatment?
- The treated area may turn red, swell, or feel sore for a short time.
- A blister or scab may form in the days after treatment as the frozen lesion heals and separates from the skin.
- Healing can take several days to a couple of weeks depending on the size of the lesion and your skin’s response.
Avoid picking or forcing off a scab, as this can increase the risk of scarring.
When will I see results?
- Some lesions may disappear after a single session, while others may need more than one treatment.
- Over the following days to weeks, the treated area usually settles and heals with newer skin replacing the treated area.
Possible side effects
Most reactions are temporary and expected:
- Redness and swelling
- Mild pain or stinging
- Blistering
- Formation of a scab
- Temporary numbness or tingling in the area
Less common risks:
- Pigmentation changes — the skin may become lighter (hypopigmentation) or darker (hyperpigmentation) in the treated area. These changes often improve over months but can sometimes persist, especially in darker skin types.
- Rarely, scarring may occur after a deep freeze.
- Very rarely, infection or prolonged sensitivity may develop.
If you notice increasing pain, pus-like discharge, or spreading redness, contact your practitioner promptly.
Who should NOT have cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy may not be suitable if you:
- Have undiagnosed or suspicious lesions that may require biopsy
- Have certain conditions that are worsened by cold (e.g., Raynaud’s disease, cold urticaria, cryoglobulinaemia)
- Have a history of poor wound healing or keloid scarring
- Are pregnant, unless specifically advised by a medical practitioner
Always disclose your full medical history before treatment.
Aftercare advice
To help healing and reduce risks:
- Keep the area clean and dry
- Avoid picking at blisters or scabs
- Avoid direct sun exposure and use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ once healed sufficiently
- Follow any specific instructions given by your practitioner
If a blister forms, do not pop it — this increases the risk of infection and scarring.
Are results permanent?
Cryotherapy removes targeted lesions, but it does not prevent new lesions from developing in other areas. Some benign spots may recur and require additional treatments.
Consent and safety
Cryotherapy is a clinical medical procedure. It should only be performed by a trained healthcare professional. A consultation and informed consent are required before treatment. Individual results vary, and outcomes cannot be guaranteed.