Cryotherapy: removing moles and skin tags

There are many different types of skin lesions, from moles, skin tags, warts or other skin growths, which can appear on the face and body. Even though most of these are harmless, you may feel bothered by their appearance or if they catch on clothing and are irritating.

The good news is that skin lesions can be removed using a procedure known as cryotherapy in which they are ‘frozen off.’ Expert London dermatologist Dr Robin Russell-Jones explains how it works and just how cold it is.
 

What is cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy uses a very cold substance such as liquid nitrogen to freeze the superficial layer of the skin (epidermis). The liquid nitrogen is normally applied using a spray gun but can be applied using a cotton wool bud for greater accuracy and, for example, to treat areas close to the eyes.
 

What is cryotherapy good for?

It can be used for any superficial skin lesion that involves mainly the epidermis. This includes benign lesions such as seborrhoeic warts (a benign growth consisting of a build-up of cells), contagious lesions such as viral warts or molluscum contagiosum, and precancerous lesions such as solar keratoses or Bowen's disease.
 

How cold is cryotherapy?

Using a cryotherapy spray gun, the skin temperature is lowered to minus 100C for five to 15 seconds, depending on the thickness of the lesion. The procedure produces a burning pain, which may persist for up to a minute as the skin thaws. The procedure is usually well-tolerated in adults, but repeat applications are not well tolerated by children.
 

What are the side-effects and/or risks of cryotherapy?

Pain is a limiting factor, particularly for deeper lesions such as verrucae which require a longer period of application. If the area blisters, then a sterile needle can be used to release the fluid.
 

How long do the effects of cryotherapy last?

The treated area will usually form a scab which takes a week or two to resolve. Treatment may alter the texture and colour of the skin. For this reason, cryotherapy should be used with caution in patients with darker skin, particularly on exposed areas such as the face, due to the risk of depigmentation.

If you are interested in having your skin lesion removed, do not hesitate to book an appointment with Dr Russell-Jones now.