Cryotherapy (freezing treatment) (Cryotherapy (cryosurgery) with liquid nitrogen)
A treatment that freezes skin lesions with very cold liquid nitrogen to destroy them, used for warts, sun-damage spots and other minor skin growths.
✓ Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant · last reviewed September 2026 · next review September 2027 · how we review
In short
- Cryotherapy freezes a skin lesion with liquid nitrogen to destroy it; it is quick and usually needs no anaesthetic.
- It is not pain-free and the skin reacts like a controlled cold burn — expect redness, swelling, often a blister, then a scab that heals over a few weeks.
- More than one session is often needed, and it does not always clear the problem.
- It can leave a pale or dark mark, especially in darker skin, so it is important the right diagnosis is made before any lesion is frozen.
A plain-English summary. The detail — including risks and recovery — is below.
At a glance
A general guide. Your specialist will give you advice for your situation.
Treats many minor skin problems quickly in a single short appointment
Any lesion that could be skin cancer or is not clearly diagnosed, which should be examined or sampled first.
The area stings or aches, goes red and may swell. Simple pain relief such as paracetamol helps if needed.
Clear advice on normal healing (blister, scab) versus warning signs.
The area stings or aches, goes red and may swell. Simple pain relief such as paracetamol helps if needed.
A blister may form (sometimes blood-filled) and the area can weep. Swelling and redness usually settle within two...
A scab forms and gradually drops off as the skin underneath heals. Avoid picking it, which lowers the risk of...
Any pink mark fades. A pale or dark patch, or a small flat scar, may remain, particularly in darker skin.
What is cryotherapy (freezing treatment)?
Cryotherapy means treating the skin with very low temperature. Most often this uses liquid nitrogen, which is extremely cold (around minus 196°C). A carefully controlled amount is applied to a skin lesion to freeze and destroy the unwanted cells.
It is used for a range of non-cancerous skin problems, such as viral warts and verrucas, sun-damage spots (actinic or solar keratoses), seborrhoeic keratoses ('age spots' or seborrhoeic warts), and other small growths. It can sometimes be used for selected early, low-risk skin cancers, but those decisions are made by a specialist.
Freezing is quick and does not usually need an anaesthetic, but it is not pain-free and it does have side effects. The skin reacts like a controlled cold burn: it may blister, swell, weep and form a scab before healing. More than one treatment is often needed, and it does not always work.
This guide explains what to expect, the after-effects on the skin, and when freezing is and is not the right choice. It is not a substitute for advice from the clinician treating you.
Types, options & approaches
There may be different ways to do this. The right approach depends on the clinical question and your circumstances.
Options at a glance
These are the main approaches described in this guide. The right option depends on the diagnosis, your goals and what your clinician thinks is safe.
Spray technique
Liquid nitrogen is sprayed onto the lesion from a special gun. This is the most common method for warts, sun-damage spots and many other lesions.
Cotton-bud (cotton-wool) technique
Liquid nitrogen is dabbed on with a cotton bud. Useful for small or awkward spots.
Cryoprobe (metal probe) technique
A cold metal tip is held against the lesion. Sometimes used for thicker or more defined lesions.
Single vs repeated freeze-thaw cycles
The skin may be frozen once, or frozen, allowed to thaw, then frozen again in the same visit for a stronger effect, depending on what is being treated.
Preparing for your procedure
- Make sure the lesion has been correctly diagnosed; freezing destroys tissue, so anything uncertain should be examined or biopsied first, not just frozen.
- Tell the clinician if you have a condition or medicine that affects healing or circulation, such as diabetes or poor blood flow in the legs.
- Mention if you have had problems with pigment changes or poor healing after previous freezing.
- Ask how many treatments are likely to be needed and how far apart.
- Wear or bring clothing that lets the area be reached and is comfortable over a possible blister afterwards.
- Ask what the area will look like afterwards and how to care for it.
What happens
The clinician applies liquid nitrogen to the lesion using a spray, cotton bud or metal probe. The skin quickly turns white as it freezes. Freezing each spot usually takes only seconds, and the area thaws over a minute or two.
It feels intensely cold, often with a stinging or burning sensation, which can carry on for a short time after the freeze. An anaesthetic is not usually needed. For some lesions the clinician repeats the freeze once the area has thawed.
The appointment itself is short. You can normally go straight back to your day, but the treated skin will react over the following hours and days.
Is this procedure right for me?
A good consultation should explore whether it's the right choice for you now — including reasons to wait or consider something else.
May not be suitable if…
- Any lesion that could be skin cancer or is not clearly diagnosed, which should be examined or sampled first.
- Lesions over areas with poor circulation or where healing is likely to be very slow, such as some lower-leg skin.
- People who are very prone to pigment changes or keloid-type marks, where the cosmetic outcome should be discussed carefully.
- Lesions where nerves run very close to the surface, such as the sides of the fingers, where freezing risks numbness.
Delay or rearrange if…
- There is active infection at or near the site.
- The diagnosis is uncertain and a tissue sample is needed first.
- The skin is broken or already healing from another treatment in the same area.
- You cannot keep the area cared for, or get help, if a blister or infection develops.
Alternatives to discuss
- Salicylic acid or other topical treatments for warts and verrucas.
- Surgical removal (excision) or curettage where a diagnosis or clear margin is needed.
- Creams or other treatments for sun-damage spots.
- Simply leaving harmless lesions alone, as many (including warts) can clear on their own.
- Specialist assessment if there is any doubt about what the lesion is.
Before you decide
Use this as a shared-decision checklist. The aim is not just “can this be done?”, but whether it is right for you, now, with the risks and alternatives clearly understood.
What matters most to me?
Think about symptoms, daily life, work, caring responsibilities, sport, fertility, travel, appearance and anxiety — the right choice depends on your priorities, not just the medical facts.
What are all my options?
Ask about waiting, monitoring, medicines, rehabilitation, a smaller or larger procedure, a different test, NHS referral, or a second opinion where that would help.
What would make me pause?
Active infection, pregnancy, unstable medical problems, smoking, medicines that increase bleeding, poor support at home, or feeling pressured are all reasons to slow down and get tailored advice.
What happens if I do nothing today?
For some problems, waiting is safe; for others, delay can make treatment harder. A good consultation should explain the trade-off in plain English.
Benefits
- Treats many minor skin problems quickly in a single short appointment
- Usually needs no injection or anaesthetic
- Leaves no cut and usually no stitches
- Can be repeated if the lesion does not clear first time
- Often gives a good cosmetic result for suitable, correctly diagnosed lesions
Risks & complications
- Pain or stinging during and shortly after freezing
- Redness and swelling that usually settles in a few days
- A blister (sometimes blood-filled) forming over the treated area
- A scab that takes a few weeks to drop off
- The lesion not fully clearing, so more treatment is needed
- A pale or dark mark left on the skin (pigment change), which can be long-lasting, especially in darker skin
- A flat, pale scar
- Wound infection
- Temporary numbness if a small nerve near the surface is affected
- Loss of hair (a pale patch) where the area was frozen
- Longer-lasting nerve damage with persistent numbness, usually where nerves run close to the surface (such as the sides of the fingers)
- A wound that is slow to heal, especially on the lower leg
- Treating something that later turns out to need different management because the diagnosis was not confirmed first
The biggest pitfalls are freezing a lesion that has not been correctly diagnosed, and pigment change. Freezing destroys the surface, so if a lesion could be skin cancer it should be examined or sampled first. In darker skin, freezing more often leaves a lighter or darker mark. Tell your clinician if you scar easily, heal slowly, or have poor circulation or diabetes, and ask how many sessions are realistic.
Published figures to discuss
Cryotherapy is generally low risk, but how well it works and how the skin reacts vary widely by the type of lesion, its thickness and site, the freeze technique and the person's skin type. Robust, comparable success-rate figures are limited and vary by condition, so qualitative wording is used here rather than invented percentages.
| Figure | Reported range | How to interpret it | Source / confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pain, swelling, blistering or scab | Common and expected after an adequate freeze | A blister is not necessarily a complication. Patients should know how to keep the area clean and when to seek review for infection. | Cryotherapy in Dermatology — StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf)ncbi.nlm.nih.govSource-linked context |
| Temporary or permanent pigment change | Recognised; risk is higher with darker skin, tanned skin, longer freezes and repeated treatments | This can be more cosmetically important than the original lesion, especially on the face, chest and hands. | Cryotherapy in Dermatology — StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf)ncbi.nlm.nih.govSource-linked context |
| Scarring or keloid-type scarring | Rare; hypertrophic or keloid scarring is very rare but important | Risk is higher on keloid-prone sites and in people with a personal history of abnormal scarring. | Cryotherapy in Dermatology — StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf)ncbi.nlm.nih.govSource-linked context |
| Treatment failure or need for repeat treatment | Common for warts and thicker lesions | A single freeze is often not enough. Diagnostic uncertainty, rapid regrowth or an atypical lesion should prompt reassessment rather than repeated blind freezing. | Cryotherapy in Dermatology — StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf)ncbi.nlm.nih.govSource-linked context |
These are literature figures, not a personalised prediction. Your own risks and likely benefits depend on your circumstances, your health, and how your care is carried out and followed up.
What happens afterwards
There is no real downtime, but the treated skin goes through a predictable reaction: redness and swelling, often a blister, then a scab that heals over a few weeks. Healing is slower on the legs.
- Stinging, redness and swelling soon after treatment
- A blister forming over the treated spot, sometimes blood-filled
- Weeping for a day or two, then a scab
- A scab that takes a few weeks to fall off on its own
- Needing more than one session for warts or thicker lesions
Aftercare
- Keep the area clean and dry for the first day, then wash gently as normal.
- Try not to burst a blister; if it bursts, keep the area clean and cover it if it might be rubbed.
- Apply petroleum jelly or any cream you are advised to use to help healing.
- Do not pick the scab, as this raises the risk of scarring.
- Take simple pain relief such as paracetamol if the area is sore.
- Use a plaster or dressing if the area is likely to be knocked or rubbed.
- Protect a healing area on the face or hands from strong sun.
- Go back if the lesion has not cleared, or sooner if you are worried.
- Petroleum jelly or recommended cream at home
- Plasters or a small dressing in case a blister forms
- Simple pain relief such as paracetamol
- A note of how many sessions are planned and when to return
- Clear advice on what is normal and what is not
- Clinic contact number if you are worried
Scars and how they heal
Cryotherapy does not cut the skin, so it does not leave a surgical scar, but it can leave skin marks. After healing there may be a pale (lighter) or dark (darker) patch where the skin was frozen, and sometimes a small flat pale scar. Pigment changes are more common and can be more lasting in darker skin tones, and the area may also lose hair. Not picking the scab and protecting the area from the sun while it heals can reduce marking.
⚠ Get urgent help if…
- Spreading redness, heat, swelling, increasing pain or pus (signs of infection)
- A fever or feeling generally unwell after treatment
- Bleeding from the area that does not stop with gentle pressure
- Numbness, tingling or weakness that does not settle, especially in a finger
- A blister or wound that is not healing after several weeks
- The treated lesion growing, bleeding or changing rather than healing
- Severe or worsening pain out of proportion to the treatment
Who to contact: your clinician, clinic or test provider first (keep their number to hand). For urgent advice when you can't reach them, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.
General guidance — it doesn't replace the specific advice your specialist gives you.
Results & realistic expectations
For suitable, correctly diagnosed lesions, freezing often clears or greatly improves them, sometimes after more than one session. Many people get a good cosmetic result.
Cryotherapy cannot guarantee a lesion will clear or never return, and stubborn warts in particular may need several treatments or may not respond at all. Because freezing destroys tissue without sending it to the laboratory, it does not confirm a diagnosis; anything that could be skin cancer should be examined or sampled by a specialist instead. If a treated area does not heal as expected, or keeps coming back, it should be reassessed.
Results vary by what is being treated. Sun-damage spots and seborrhoeic keratoses, once cleared, often stay away, though new ones can appear on sun-damaged skin. Viral warts may clear after one or more sessions, but they can recur because the underlying virus remains in the skin. Your clinician can give a realistic idea for your particular lesion.
Related tests, treatments or support
For warts and verrucas, freezing is often combined with salicylic acid treatment applied at home between sessions, which can work better than either alone. For widespread sun-damage spots, freezing individual lesions may be combined with creams or other treatments for the surrounding skin. Your clinician will advise what suits your skin.
Follow-up & long-term care
Many lesions need more than one treatment, so you may be asked to return every few weeks until the lesion clears. You should be told how many sessions are likely, what counts as normal healing, and when to come back sooner. Any lesion that does not heal, keeps returning, or was uncertain to begin with should be reassessed rather than simply frozen again.
- Protect treated, sun-damaged skin from further sun exposure.
- Keep an eye on the area and report anything that does not heal or keeps returning.
- For warts, follow any home treatment (such as salicylic acid) as advised between sessions.
- Return for further sessions if the lesion has not cleared.
Repeat, follow-on and what comes next
- Repeat freezing every few weeks is common for warts and some thicker lesions.
- A lesion that keeps returning or does not heal should be reassessed, not simply re-frozen.
- If a frozen lesion later turns out to need a diagnosis, a biopsy or excision may be required.
Ask what happens if the result is unclear or needs repeating, and what is included if further tests or follow-up are needed.
What good aftercare looks like
- Clear advice on normal healing (blister, scab) versus warning signs.
- Written aftercare guidance and a contact route if problems arise.
- A realistic plan for the number of sessions and review of stubborn lesions.
- A low threshold to reassess or biopsy anything that does not heal.
- Advice on sun protection for healing areas, especially on the face and hands.
What affects the cost
Costs vary a great deal between people and providers, and we don't publish prices. What matters is understanding what drives the cost and making sure your quote is complete. The main things that affect it:
- The number of lesions treated and how many sessions are needed
- Whether a diagnosis or biopsy is needed before treatment
- The clinician's fee and the clinic facility fee
- Whether the appointment is with a GP, dermatologist or podiatrist (for foot verrucas)
- Any dressings, creams or home treatments recommended alongside
- Follow-up appointments to re-treat stubborn lesions
- The clinician's fee per session
- How many sessions are included or likely to be needed
- Whether re-treatment of the same lesion is charged again
- Any dressings or home treatments needed alongside
- What happens if the lesion does not clear
- What happens, and who to contact, if a complication such as infection occurs
On the NHS? Cryotherapy is available on the NHS for several skin problems when clinically appropriate, though many NHS practices now use cheaper home treatments for common warts; private treatment is used mainly for speed or convenience.
You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including reports, follow-up and what happens if the result is inconclusive — before you decide.
Consent traps and marketing red flags
These are not small details. They are often where patients lose choice, time to reflect, or realistic expectations.
Consent traps
- Freezing a lesion without confirming what it is.
- Not warning about blistering, scabbing and possible pigment change, especially in darker skin.
- Implying a single session will definitely clear a wart.
- No advice on aftercare or what to do if a blister or infection develops.
- Not mentioning the small risk of numbness when treating the sides of fingers.
Marketing red flags
- Offering to 'freeze off' any lump without examining or diagnosing it.
- Claiming the treatment is pain-free or without risks.
- Promising guaranteed, one-session clearance of warts.
- No mention of pigment change, scarring or the need for repeat sessions.
- Treating a changing or bleeding lesion as cosmetic rather than referring it.
Choosing a specialist safely
- Check the specialist is on the GMC Specialist Register for this area.
- Make sure they work at a CQC-registered service, and look for membership of the relevant Royal College or professional body.
- You're entitled to time to consider and to have your questions answered before you agree — the specialist who looks after you should explain it, not a salesperson.
- Be wary of pressure: time-limited offers or deposits taken before you've had time to think are red flags, not bargains.
- You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including any follow-up — before you decide.
Questions to ask your medical professional
Take this to your consultation. A good specialist will welcome every one of these.
- Are you sure of the diagnosis, or should this lesion be examined or sampled first?
- How many sessions am I likely to need, and how far apart?
- How likely is this to leave a pale or dark mark on my skin tone?
- What is normal healing, and what would mean I should come back sooner?
- Would another treatment work better for my type of lesion?
- Are you on the GMC Specialist Register for this area, and which Royal College or professional body are you a member of?
- Will you be the specialist who carries out my procedure, and who looks after me afterwards?
- What are the risks for someone like me, and how often do your own patients have a problem or need it repeated or redone?
- What does a realistic result look like — and what can this procedure not achieve?
- What are my options, including waiting, doing nothing for now, or choosing a different approach?
- Can I have written information, results and aftercare instructions in a format I can use, including any accessibility or communication support I need?
- What is the total cost in writing, including any follow-ups, and how much time do I have to decide?
Frequently asked questions
Does cryotherapy hurt?
Will it leave a scar or a mark?
How many treatments will I need?
Is it available on the NHS?
Can a blister be expected afterwards?
Can any lump be frozen off?
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How we made this page
Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant. Written in plain English, checked against NHS, NICE, GMC and relevant Royal College / specialist-society guidance, and kept under review. No clinic paid to appear on this page, and we publish no pricing. This is general information to help you prepare — it is not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. How we review our guides →
Source hierarchy: UK regulator and NHS/NICE guidance first, then relevant Royal College or specialist-society guidance, then peer-reviewed evidence for procedure-specific figures where available.
Sources & standards: British Association of Dermatologists — Cryotherapy (patient leaflet) NHS — Warts and verrucas (treatment options) Cryotherapy in Dermatology — StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf) Primary Care Dermatology Society — patient information hub
Reviews reflect patients' experience of care, not clinical outcomes. For procedure volumes and outcome data see PHIN.
Last medically reviewed 2026-09-21. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Report an error in this guide.
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