WartsVerrucaeSkin tags

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy uses controlled cold to remove small, benign skin lesions. It's a well-established treatment, done in minutes, with no need for cutting or stitches. Most lesions need one to three sessions depending on size and type.

  • Warts and verrucae
  • Skin tags
  • Small benign blemishes
Your safety comes first. Anything that looks suspicious or unusual will be referred to your GP rather than treated. Cryotherapy is for known, benign lesions only.

Do you recognise any of these problems?

If you recognise yourself in any of the problems below, get in touch — these are exactly the kind of problems cryotherapy is designed to help with.

  • Skin tags, warts or other small skin lesions that catch on clothing or jewellery
  • Warts that hurt when walking or cause discomfort on your hands
  • A skin lesion that makes you feel uncomfortable when you look in the mirror
  • Avoiding short sleeves, sandals or close-up photos because of a skin lesion
  • A skin change that is causing you concern
  • A child who feels embarrassed or is being teased at school because of a wart on their hand or foot
  • Wanting to remove a troublesome skin lesion without cutting or a lengthy healing process

What the treatment involves

Cryotherapy uses controlled freezing to treat suitable minor, benign skin lesions — quickly and without cutting.

A fine probe or spray applies intense cold to the lesion for a short time. The treated tissue is then shed naturally over the following weeks as healthy skin regenerates beneath it.

It's a well-established treatment, done in minutes, with no stitches and no long healing period.

How it is performed

  1. 1

    Assessment

    The lesion is examined first. Cryotherapy is for known, benign lesions only — anything that looks suspicious or unusual is referred to your GP rather than treated.

  2. 2

    Freezing

    Controlled cold is applied to the lesion for a few seconds at a time until the freeze reaches the right depth. Most treatments are complete within minutes.

  3. 3

    Healing

    Redness, mild swelling and sometimes a blister are normal over the next few days — that's the body's way of shedding the treated tissue and growing healthy skin in its place.

  4. 4

    Follow-up

    Most lesions need one to three sessions, usually spaced a few weeks apart. You'll be advised on timing at your first visit.

When it isn't recommended

Cryotherapy may not be suitable for everyone. Please tell us if any of the following apply:

  • Cold intolerance, cold urticaria or cryoglobulinaemia
  • Poor circulation in the area to be treated
  • A bleeding disorder, or treatment with blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medication
  • Diabetes with reduced sensation in the treatment area (some cases — your practitioner will advise)
  • A lesion that is changing, bleeding easily, or that you can't be sure is benign — these are referred to your GP first

Good to know before you book

A few things worth knowing before you book:

  • Cryotherapy treats minor, benign lesions only. Anything that looks at all suspicious is referred to your GP — no exceptions.
  • Most lesions need one to three sessions. The prices on this page are per appointment, so a treatment course may involve more than one visit.
  • Give the treated area a little time: mild blistering and scabbing over the following week or two is normal and should be left alone.
  • Protect the treated area from direct sunlight while it's healing.
  • Tell us if you're diabetic, take blood-thinning medication, have poor circulation, or are pregnant, so we can confirm the treatment is suitable for you.
  • Children are welcome — if you're booking for a child, let us know and we'll take extra time to put them at ease.
Cryotherapy Aftercare

Thank you for choosing cryotherapy.

Cryotherapy works by freezing unwanted skin lesions, allowing healthy skin to replace the treated tissue naturally.

After Your Appointment
  • Mild redness, swelling or blistering is a normal part of the healing process.
  • Keep the treated area clean and dry.
  • Do not pick or remove any blister or scab.
  • Allow the area to heal naturally.
  • Protect the treated area from direct sunlight while healing.

Please contact us if you notice increasing redness, severe pain, pus, or any other signs of infection.