Cryosurgery is a minimally invasive technique that uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue.

By rapidly freezing the tissue, we cause the cells within to be destroyed and then, as your skin heals, the injured tissue just falls or peels away.

In clinic we are able to use cryotherapy as a highly effective means of treating a wide range of skin conditions and growths.

These include skin tags, small benign moles, keratoses (such as Actinic and Seborrheic Keratoses) and warty lesions.

Through the use of a precise, medical-grade, pen-like device we are able to administer the freezing spray directly to the lesion in question. This allows us to target the area we want to treat but avoid causing collateral damage to surrounding tissue.

You will undergo a thorough consultation and examination of the lesions in question, in order to determine suitability and effectiveness.

Furthermore, if it is deemed from the history and examination that there is any suspicion of abnormal or worrying cells then you will be advised to either have a diagnostic biopsy first or undergo surgical excision instead.

The treatment involves a few short bursts of a freezing spray to the areas in question, followed by a period of thawing and then further freeze-thaw cycles.

The sensation feels cold but there is no significant pain - just a mild discomfort which eases within seconds.

This very much depends on the size and type of skin lesion being treated.

Small skin lesions such as skin tags may completely resolve following a single application.

Larger or thicker lesions such as Seborrheic Keratoses or viral warts (especially vercuccas affecting the hands and feet) may be stubborn and persistent and require 3-5 sessions at 3-6 weeks apart.

As part of your consultation you will be given an indication of what response you can expect, however everyone does respond slightly differently.

You will also be advised whether an alternative treatment might be more suitable or effective so that you can make an informed choice about what is best suited for you.

Cryosurgery is a safe and effective treatment for most patients and all skin types.

There are however some instances where we must practice caution when using this treatment method.

If you have a tendency to form thick scars following skin injuries, we will need to administer the treatment very gently to prevent injuring the skin beyond what is required to treat the lesion. This may result in the need for repeat sessions as we will need to be approaching treatment more cautiously.

Caution is also advised in patients with darker skin types as cryotherapy may lead to localised hypopigmentation.

For most patients there is a transient hyperpigmentation, where the area initially looks darker as it heals, however, the end point of most healing wounds is that the treated area ends up looking lighter than the surrounding skin.

When your skin is darker, then this contrast between the healed, paler Cryosurgery site and your surrounding skin may look more noticeable.

We also would advise against Cryosurgery if you have had previous attempts at treatment with this technique and there has been no response, as this means we need to explore an alternative option.

Furthermore, if dealing with a suspicious lesion, then it is recommended to obtain a tissue biopsy or undergo an excision instead so the cells can be tested for any abnormalities.

No dressings are required following treatment, though if the treatment is in an area of friction or where clothes might rub or irritate, it may be adviseable to apply a small plaster for 24 hours for comfort.

You may experience some itching, redness and irritation around the area immediately after treatment but this tends to settle within a few hours.

It is safe to get the area wet in the shower after treatment.

Within a few days a small blister or scab will form. If this is in an area of friction, then it is adviseable to apply a layer of vaseline to help protect and support the tissue as it heals.

Usually by 10-14 days the lesion will drop off, leaving behind a small pink blemish which then fades with time.

Depending on the lesions being treated you may then require a further session within 3-6 weeks.