Cryotherapy Explained — Safe Removal of Skin Tags & Benign Lesions
By Dr Amber Halliday, MRCGP MBBS BSc (Hons) | Blue Bird Aesthetics, Worthing
✓ Medically reviewed by Dr Amber Halliday, MRCGP MBBS BSc (Hons)
Skin tags, benign moles that catch on clothing, sun spots that bother you more than they should — cryotherapy is the quickest, most precise way we deal with these. Here’s what it actually involves.
What Cryotherapy Treats
Cryotherapy uses extreme cold to safely remove unwanted skin lesions, including skin tags, benign moles, cherry angiomas, sun spots, age-related blemishes, and seborrhoeic keratoses. At Blue Bird Aesthetics, it’s performed using the CryoPen®, a medical-grade precision device that delivers a controlled jet of nitrous oxide to freeze only the unwanted tissue while protecting the surrounding skin.
Why the CryoPen
The CryoPen is a regulated medical device designed for use by trained clinicians. Unlike older cryotherapy methods — cotton buds, sprays, or non-medical freezing pens — it offers pinpoint accuracy, consistent temperature delivery, minimal discomfort, a reduced risk of scarring, and fast treatment times, making it suitable for delicate areas.
What to Expect
Dr Halliday will first assess the lesion to confirm it’s suitable for cryotherapy — if a lesion needs GP or dermatology referral instead, she’ll advise that clearly rather than treating it. During treatment, a fine jet of nitrous oxide is applied for a few seconds; you may feel mild stinging or cold, and most lesions need one or two freeze cycles.
Afterwards, the area may darken or form a small crust, with healing typically occurring within one to four weeks depending on the lesion. Aftercare is simple and explained clearly at the time.
Safety & Suitability
Cryotherapy is generally very safe when assessed and performed by a doctor. It’s not suitable for suspicious or changing moles, lesions that require biopsy or specialist review, or infected or inflamed areas — if Dr Halliday has any concern about a lesion, she won’t treat it and will advise referral instead. Darker skin tones may carry a higher risk of temporary pigment changes, which will be discussed at consultation. Verrucae on the feet aren’t treated with the CryoPen; for these, we’d direct you to Pennie at The Manos Foot Clinic, who shares our clinic address.
Medical-grade LED light therapy can also be added after cryotherapy to calm inflammation and support healing — particularly helpful for reducing redness and improving comfort during recovery.
Pricing
Cryotherapy starts from £95 for up to three small lesions. Your exact price depends on the number and type of lesions treated, confirmed at consultation.
Have a lesion you’d like assessed?
Bring it to a consultation and Dr Halliday will give you an honest assessment of whether cryotherapy is appropriate, or whether it needs a different route entirely.
Further Reading
Doctor‑led medical aesthetics clinic in Worthing, West Sussex. Focused on enhancing natural beauty, improving overall skin quality and adhering to clinically safe treatment pathways.
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