Cryotherapy, when used in dermatology, refers to the use of liquid nitrogen to destroy skin cells by freezing. It’s used to treat many benign and malignant skin lesions, including viral warts, acrochordons (also known as skin tags), seborrhoeic keratoses, actinic keratoses and lentigines.
You may experience a cold sensation or discomfort both during and straight after treatment. Immediately afterwards, the area may look red and swollen. Over the subsequent hours to days, blisters and scabs may form which usually heal within 1-2 weeks.
Risks include permanent discoloration of the skin including hypopigmentation or whitening, and recurrence of the skin lesion.
