Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is one of the most commonly performed treatments in dermatology and is an effective, minimally invasive procedure used to remove a wide variety of benign and pre-cancerous skin lesions. By applying extremely cold liquid nitrogen directly to the affected area, cryotherapy freezes and destroys abnormal tissue, allowing healthy skin to replace it during the healing process.

The treatment is quick, safe and highly effective for many common skin conditions, including warts, actinic keratoses, seborrhoeic keratoses and molluscum contagiosum. Depending on the type, size and location of the lesion, one or more treatment sessions may be required to achieve complete clearance.

Warts are one of the most frequent reasons patients undergo cryotherapy. They are caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) and can occur anywhere on the body. There are several different clinical types of warts, including common warts, plantar warts (verrucas) affecting the soles of the feet, flat (plane) warts, filiform warts and mucosal warts that develop around the lips or inside the nose. Smaller and thinner warts often respond particularly well to cryotherapy, making it one of the first-line treatments recommended by dermatologists.

Liquid nitrogen, the cryogen used during treatment, reaches temperatures of approximately -196°C. It is stored in specialised containers before being carefully applied to the skin using dedicated equipment. The intense cold rapidly destroys abnormal cells while minimising damage to the surrounding healthy tissue. The procedure itself usually takes less than a minute for each lesion and, although patients often experience a brief stinging or burning sensation, discomfort is generally mild and short-lived.

Cryotherapy is also widely used to treat actinic keratoses, which are rough, red or scaly patches caused by long-term sun exposure. These lesions are particularly common in fair-skinned individuals and are considered early precancerous changes that should be assessed and treated appropriately. Patients with extensive sun damage may also benefit from a comprehensive Skin Health Assessment to identify any additional areas requiring treatment or monitoring.

Another common condition treated with cryotherapy is seborrhoeic keratosis. These harmless, wart-like growths frequently develop with age and are unrelated to viral warts. Cryotherapy provides an effective treatment option for isolated or multiple seborrhoeic keratoses, helping improve both skin appearance and patient comfort without the need for surgery. In selected cases, larger or thicker lesions may instead be more suitable for Cyst & Skin Tag Removal, depending on their clinical appearance.

Following treatment, it is normal for the treated area to become red and occasionally develop a small blister before healing over the following days. In most cases, recovery is straightforward with excellent cosmetic results and little or no long-term scarring. Professor Firas Al-Niaimi carefully assesses every lesion before treatment to ensure cryotherapy is the most appropriate option and to exclude any lesions that may require further investigation or surgical management through Medical & Surgical Dermatology.

As an experienced consultant dermatologist, Professor Firas Al-Niaimi performs cryotherapy for a wide range of skin conditions using the latest evidence-based techniques. Every treatment plan is tailored to the individual patient, ensuring the safest and most effective approach for each skin lesion while providing expert advice on aftercare, recurrence prevention and long-term skin health.