Treatments · 5 min read
CryoPen Cryosurgery: How Cryotherapy Removes Skin Lesions
Cryotherapy is often associated with whole-body cryotherapy chambers used in sports recovery. In aesthetic and dermatology-based clinics, however, cryotherapy is most commonly used in a different form: localised cryosurgery. One of the most advanced and precise methods available today is CryoPen — a targeted treatment used to safely remove unwanted skin lesions such as skin tags, warts and other benign growths.
What is CryoPen cryosurgery?
CryoPen is a medical cryotherapy device used for localised cryosurgery, also known as cryotherapy lesion removal. It works by applying extreme cold directly to a skin lesion using a fine applicator tip.
CryoPen uses nitrous oxide to create very low temperatures at the point of contact, enabling accurate, controlled freezing of targeted tissue. Unlike traditional cryotherapy sprays, CryoPen offers much greater precision — making it ideal for removing small skin lesions with minimal risk to the surrounding healthy skin.
How does CryoPen work?
During treatment, the cold rapidly freezes the cells within the lesion. This process destroys the abnormal tissue, interrupts the blood supply to the lesion, and causes controlled tissue damage so the lesion dies and naturally falls away. Afterwards the treated area may darken or form a small scab before the skin heals and regenerates.
What skin lesions can be treated?
CryoPen cryosurgery is commonly used to remove a variety of benign skin lesions, including:
- Skin tags (acrochordons)
- Common warts and verrucae
- Age warts and seborrheic keratosis
- Some superficial keratin lesions and benign growths
Every lesion is assessed before treatment to ensure it is suitable for cryotherapy and does not require further medical investigation.
What happens during a treatment?
A CryoPen treatment is quick and typically takes only a few minutes, depending on the number of lesions treated. It generally includes a consultation and lesion assessment, skin cleansing and preparation, precise CryoPen application to freeze the lesion, and aftercare advice. Most clients describe the sensation as a short sting or mild cold-burning feeling; in most cases no anaesthetic is required.
Results — what to expect afterwards
After treatment the skin moves through several normal healing stages, which can include redness, mild swelling, occasional blistering, scabbing and gradual shedding of the lesion. The lesion typically falls away within a few days to two or three weeks, depending on its size and type, with full healing taking up to four weeks. Larger or deeper lesions may need a second session.
The benefits of CryoPen
- Fast, convenient treatment
- Highly precise application
- Minimal damage to surrounding skin
- No cutting and no stitches
- Minimal downtime
- Suitable for many areas of the body
When CryoPen may not be recommended
Although CryoPen is safe and widely used, treatment may not be suitable for suspicious lesions that need dermatology assessment, uncontrolled diabetes or poor wound healing, bleeding disorders, active skin infection in the treatment area, cold-related medical conditions, certain autoimmune skin disorders, or during pregnancy. A consultation always comes first so we can confirm the treatment is right and safe for you.
