TREATMENTS
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to treat assessed skin lesions, including solar keratoses.
- Treatment selected for the lesion
- Blistering and colour changes can occur
- Assessment before treatment
Cryotherapy freezes a specific area of skin to destroy abnormal tissue. It treats individual spots rather than the surrounding sun damage, so new lesions may still develop nearby.
Solar keratoses and benign lesions
It may be used for solar keratoses and some benign lesions. For widespread solar keratoses, your doctor may discuss field treatment instead of freezing each spot.
Superficial skin cancers
Cryotherapy is an option for some superficial skin cancers after assessment and confirmation of the diagnosis. It is not suitable for every skin cancer. Your doctor will explain whether it is appropriate and what review is needed.
MBBS, MA (Virtual Comm), Grad Cert Hlth Info, Grad Dip Comp Inf Sci
Depigmentation of the back of the hand following cryotherapy treatment
Conditions treated
How it’s done
The doctor applies liquid nitrogen, usually with a controlled spray. Freeze duration and the number of freeze–thaw cycles vary with the diagnosis, anatomical location, lesion shape and thickness, discomfort and concern about pale marks after treatment.
At Spot Check, confirmed superficial BCC and Bowen’s disease generally require three 30-second freeze–thaw cycles. Facial solar keratoses are usually treated with freezes shorter than 10 seconds to reduce scarring and pigment loss. Gentler treatment may not clear the lesion, so reassessment and another treatment may be needed.
Stinging or pain can occur during and after treatment. The doctor will discuss what to expect and adapt treatment to your circumstances.
After the procedure
Minimal aftercare is required. Cover blisters or sores with a dressing for three days. After this, you may wish to apply silicone gel twice daily for several weeks to reduce scarring.
Don’t apply antiseptics or vitamin E cream to the treated area. These can impair wound healing.
Formal follow-up may not be required for cosmetic treatments or low-risk lesions such as solar keratoses, but an unresolved or worsening lesion needs review. If a skin cancer is being treated, return for the planned clinical review with dermoscopy to check clearance. The clinic will confirm the review date.
Learn more about cryotherapy aftercare.
Side effects and what to expect
Cryotherapy treatment may fail if gentle treatment is applied (to reduce the risk of scarring).
Pigmentation changes
Cells that produce skin pigment can be destroyed by cryotherapy, causing a permanent pale area at the site of treatment. This reaction is common, but usually hard to notice in fair-skinned people. People with darker skin should be aware of the risk of reduced skin pigmentation before having cryotherapy.
In some cases, the amount of skin pigmentation can increase after cryotherapy, due to inflammation. This usually settles gradually but in some cases can be permanent.
Hair loss
Cryotherapy to hairy areas can result in permanent hair loss. For this reason, we often avoid cryotherapy treatment in the area of the eyebrows and on the hairline. Other options such as prescription creams may be better treatments in these areas.
Slow wound healing
In regions with poor circulation (typically the lower leg), cryotherapy can cause ulcers (open sores) which take a long time to heal and may be at risk of infection. Alternative treatments such as surgical removal or applying a cream may be better treatments for BCC, SCC or solar keratoses in these areas, particularly in people with vascular problems or diabetes.
Fees
See our assessment fees. The clinic will confirm any additional cryotherapy charge before treatment.
Book a skin check or treatment
The doctor assesses the lesion before deciding whether cryotherapy is suitable. It may be possible during your consultation; timing depends on the assessment and treatment required.
Arrange a spot assessment