If you have skin tags, warts, or verrucas, you have probably heard about cryotherapy. But what exactly is it, and is it right for you? This guide explains everything you need to know.
What Is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is a medical treatment that uses extreme cold to freeze and destroy unwanted skin lesions. During the procedure, your clinician applies liquid nitrogen (around -196°C) to the affected area. This freezes the targeted cells, destroying them so healthy new skin can grow in their place.
Think of it like pressing a reset button for that small patch of skin.
What Can Cryotherapy Treat?
Skin Tags
Skin tags are small, harmless growths that hang off your skin. They often appear on the neck, underarms, or eyelids. Cryotherapy freezes the tag at its base, causing it to fall off naturally within a few weeks.
Warts
Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Cryotherapy destroys the wart tissue and helps your immune system fight off the virus. Some stubborn warts may need multiple treatments.
Verrucas
Verrucas are warts on the soles of your feet. The freezing process kills the verruca tissue and stimulates your immune response. Many clear up after one or two sessions.
Age Spots and Sun Damage
These flat brown marks appear on sun-exposed skin. Cryotherapy removes these spots by destroying the excess pigment in the affected cells.
How Does It Work?
When liquid nitrogen touches your skin, ice crystals form inside the unwanted cells. These crystals damage the cell walls and cut off blood supply. Without blood supply, the frozen cells die. Over the following weeks, your body removes this dead tissue and fresh, healthy skin grows to replace it.
The CryoPen Difference
At The Old Rectory Clinic, we use advanced CryoPen technology. This delivers liquid nitrogen through a fine-point applicator, targeting only the unwanted lesion whilst surrounding healthy skin remains unaffected.
The CryoPen gives your practitioner complete control over treatment depth and duration. Different lesions need different freezing times, and this precision improves results whilst reducing complications.
Most importantly, CryoPen treatments at The Old Rectory Clinic are performed by experienced medical professionals. Your practitioner can properly diagnose your skin concern before treatment and manage any complications. Beauty salons may offer similar-sounding treatments, but they lack the medical expertise that ensures safe, effective results.
What to Expect During Treatment
Your appointment begins with a thorough assessment. Your clinician examines the lesion and discusses your medical history.
The actual freezing takes only seconds to a minute. Your clinician cleans the area, applies the CryoPen applicator, and liquid nitrogen freezes the lesion. You will feel intense cold and possibly some stinging, but this stops immediately when treatment ends.
The entire appointment typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. The freezing portion is very quick, often just 10 to 30 seconds per lesion.
Aftercare: What Happens Next?
Right after treatment, the frozen area will be white and numb. Within hours, you will notice redness, swelling, and possible throbbing. These reactions are normal.
Within 24 to 48 hours, a blister forms over the treated lesion. According to the NHS, you should leave the blister intact as it provides the best environment for healing.
The blister gradually dries out and forms a scab. Keep the area clean and dry. Let the scab fall off naturally (usually within 2-4 weeks). Complete healing takes three to six weeks.
Aftercare Guidelines
| Side Effect | When It Occurs | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Pain/discomfort | During treatment | Intense cold that stops when treatment ends |
| Redness | Within 30 minutes | Usually fades within a few days |
| Swelling | First 24-48 hours | Subsides gradually |
| Blistering | 24-48 hours | Normal healing response |
| Scabbing | After blister phase | Drops off within 2-4 weeks |
Do: Keep the area clean, cover with a plaster if needed, take paracetamol for pain.
Don’t: Pick at blisters or scabs, use harsh soaps, swim until healed.
How Many Treatments Will You Need?
Many skin concerns can be removed with just one session. This includes most small skin tags, flat warts, and age spots.
Some conditions need two or three treatments, including thick warts on hands or feet and deep verrucas. Your clinician spaces repeat treatments several weeks apart.
Possible Side Effects
Common side effects include temporary redness, swelling, blistering, and scabbing. These are normal and expected.
Less common effects include pigmentation changes (the treated area may become lighter or darker) and temporary numbness if a small nerve is affected.
Contact your clinic if you notice signs of infection, severe pain, or a blister that continues growing after 48 hours.
Why Choose The Old Rectory Clinic?
At The Old Rectory Clinic, all treatments are overseen by Dr Neil Leigh-Collyer, an experienced GP and aesthetic practitioner, and Pauline Leigh-Collyer, an experienced nurse. This medical background means proper diagnosis, appropriate treatment selection, and expert management of any complications.
Before any treatment, your practitioner conducts a thorough evaluation. This assessment is crucial because what looks like a harmless lesion might occasionally require different treatment or investigation.
We use the latest CryoPen system, maintain strict standards for hygiene and safety, and provide ongoing support throughout your healing process.
Is Cryotherapy Right for You?
Cryotherapy offers an effective, non-surgical solution for many common skin concerns. The treatment works best when performed by qualified medical professionals who can properly diagnose your concern and provide appropriate aftercare.
If you have skin tags, warts, verrucas, or other benign skin lesions that bother you, cryotherapy might be an excellent option. Contact The Old Rectory Clinic to book your consultation and discover how this proven treatment can help restore clear, healthy-looking skin.
