GP's are no longer removing benign lesions for cosmetic purposes due to cost to the NHS, but it is an affordable treatment available in private practice here at MatildaMed Aesthetics.

Cryotherapy uses extreme cold to precisely freeze and destroy unwanted benign lesions such as skin tags, warts, verrucae, seborrhoeic keratoses and small benign sun spots. As a medically trained practitioner, I use a targeted medical-grade device to remove lesions quickly, with minimal discomfort and no need for cutting or stitches.

This treatment is ideal if you want a simple, fast solution to remove a bothersome or cosmetic lesion without downtime.

How Cryotherapy Works

A precise stream of medical-grade nitrous oxide at -47 degrees freezes the lesion at controlled temperatures. The extremely cold temperature causes the cells within the lesion to break down. Over the following weeks, the lesion darkens, crusts and naturally falls away.

Most lesions require just one session, although thicker or larger lesions may need 2 - 3 treatments.

Cryotherapy is suitable for removing many harmless skin lesions, including:

• Skin tags

• Seborrhoeic keratoses

• Warts and verrucae

• Cherry angiomas (blood spots)

• Solar lentigines (sun spots/age spots)

• Milia (in some cases)

• Benign cosmetic lesions that are safe to treat
  
  

Your lesion will always be assessed first to ensure it is suitable for cryotherapy! 

Consultation

Before any treatment, I examine the lesion to ensure it is benign and safe to treat. If there is any concern about the lesion’s appearance, cryotherapy will not be performed and medical referral will be advised. I do offer a mole screening service in practice that links you to a UK based consultant dermatologist. Click here for more information.

Treatment

• Quick - often less than 10 minutes
  
  

• Mild stinging or cold sensation
  
  

• No anaesthetic needed for most lesions
  
  

• Immediate return to normal activities
  
  

Treatment takes around 20–30 minutes.

• Lesion may blister or crust within 24–72 hours
  
  

• Healing time usually 14-28 days
  
  

• Final skin settling over several weeks
  
  

• If additional treatment is needed, it is spaced 4 weeks apart

Aftercare

Keep the area clean

Do not pick or remove any crust/blisters

Avoid heat, saunas and swimming for 48 hours

Apply SPF daily to protect healing skin

You will receive full aftercare instructions.

Yes - a full medical history will be completed prior to treatment. Most people will be eligible, however some medications/medical conditions are contraindication.

Cryotherapy is also not suitable for:

• Suspicious or changing moles/lesions

• Areas with poor circulation

• Certain skin tones more prone to pigmentation changes (assessed case-by-case)

Possible temporary effects include:

• Redness

• Mild swelling

• Small blister

• Temporary darker or lighter skin patch (hypo/hyperpigmentation)