Dermatology

What is cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy simply means treatment using very cold temperatures. At WorxClinic, we use this safe and effective technique to remove unwanted benign (non‑cancerous) surface skin lesions by freezing them with nitrous oxide delivered through a precision cryopen device. The intense cold targets and destroys the unwanted cells, allowing your body to naturally replace them with healthy new skin.

What is nitrous oxide?

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a chemical compound that becomes extremely cold when used in cryotherapy, with a boiling point of –88.5°C. Although liquid nitrogen is much colder (–196°C), nitrous oxide provides a controlled level of freezing that is highly effective for removing benign skin lesions while reducing the risk of damage to surrounding healthy skin. When applied to the skin, it freezes and destroys the unwanted tissue quickly and precisely.

What can cryotherapy treat?

Cryotherapy is commonly used to treat a range of benign (non‑cancerous) skin lesions, including:

• Skin tags

• Verrucas

• Warts

• Milia

• Cherry angiomas

• Seborrhoeic keratoses

• Age spots

• Sun spots

• Pigmentation spots

• Sebaceous hyperplasia

• Small benign lesions

• Certain benign moles (only if suitable and assessed)

Your clinician will always assess the area first to ensure cryotherapy is the most appropriate and safe treatment option for you.

Your clinician will begin by assessing the area to confirm that cryotherapy is the safest and most appropriate treatment option for your skin lesion. Once confirmed, the skin is gently prepared and the CryoPen is applied directly to the lesion. The device delivers a controlled burst of nitrous oxide, freezing the targeted tissue with precision.

You may feel a brief sensation of cold, stinging, or mild discomfort, but this typically lasts only a few seconds. Most treatments take less than a minute, and no anaesthetic is required. After freezing, the area may appear red or slightly swollen, this is a normal response and settles quickly.

Following your treatment, the area may blister, scab, or feel slightly tender for a few days. This is a normal part of the healing process as your body sheds the treated tissue and forms healthy new skin.

To support healing:

• Keep the area clean and dry.

• Avoid picking or scratching any scabs or blisters.

• If a blister forms, leave it intact — it will settle and dry naturally.

• You may cover the area with a simple dressing if it feels more comfortable.

• Avoid applying perfumed products, exfoliants, or active skincare (e.g., retinoids, acids) until the skin has fully healed.

• Protect the area from sun exposure; use SPF once the skin has closed over.

Most areas heal within 7–14 days, although some lesions may take a little longer depending on their size and depth.

Cryotherapy is a low‑risk procedure, and complications are uncommon. However, as with any treatment, some side effects may occur. These are usually mild and temporary.

Common effects:

• Redness, swelling, or mild discomfort

• Blistering (clear or blood‑filled)

• Temporary scabbing

• Temporary changes in skin colour (lighter or darker)

Less common effects:

• Persistent pigmentation changes, which may be long‑lasting

• Small areas of scarring (rare)

• Infection of the treated area (uncommon)

• Temporary numbness if a superficial nerve is affected , sensation usually returns over weeks to months

Your clinician will discuss any relevant risks with you before treatment and ensure cryotherapy is safe based on your medical history and skin type.

If you’d like to read more about cryotherapy, these resources are helpful:

• https://www.bad.org.uk/pils/cryotherapy

• https://dermnetnz.org/