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Cryotherapy is a minor skin procedure that uses controlled freezing to treat selected superficial skin lesions. The cold temperature damages the targeted tissue, allowing the treated cells to break down and be replaced by healthy skin as the area heals. Liquid nitrogen is commonly used for medical cryotherapy because it can freeze skin tissue quickly and precisely. Hout Bay Family Medical Centre offers cryotherapy within dedicated procedure rooms at our family GP practice in Hout Bay, Cape Town. Before recommending treatment, one of our doctors will examine the affected area and determine whether cryotherapy, monitoring, biopsy or specialist referral is the most appropriate option. The practice’s current services include cryotherapy, skin biopsies and minor surgical procedures.
Cryotherapy, sometimes called cryosurgery, is a treatment that removes or reduces selected skin lesions by freezing them with a very cold substance. During the procedure, the freezing agent may be applied as a spray, with a small applicator or using another suitable medical instrument.
The controlled freezing causes the targeted tissue to become damaged. Over the following days, the treated skin may blister, crust or form a scab before gradually healing.
Cryotherapy is generally a brief in-room procedure and does not usually require stitches. However, not every skin lesion is suitable for freezing, and a medical assessment is important before treatment.
Cryotherapy may be considered for selected benign or precancerous skin lesions. Depending on the doctor’s assessment, these may include:
Cryotherapy can be used for several types of superficial skin lesion, but the diagnosis should be sufficiently clear before treatment begins. Suspicious, changing or unexplained lesions may require a skin biopsy or specialist assessment instead of immediate freezing.
The practice should confirm which specific skin conditions its doctors routinely treat with cryotherapy before these are listed as guaranteed services.
Arrange a consultation when you notice a new skin lesion or a change in an existing mole, growth or patch of skin.
Changes that should be medically assessed may include:
These changes do not automatically mean that skin cancer is present. However, freezing a suspicious lesion without an appropriate diagnosis could delay further investigation. Your doctor may recommend monitoring, photography, biopsy or referral rather than cryotherapy.
Your doctor will first examine the lesion and ask how long it has been present, whether it has changed and whether it has previously been treated.
Please tell your doctor if you:
Your doctor will explain why cryotherapy is being considered, what to expect during treatment, possible side effects and whether another form of investigation or treatment may be more suitable.
The treatment area will be examined and may be cleaned before the freezing agent is applied directly to the lesion.
During treatment, you may feel:
The freezing itself generally lasts only a short time, although the duration and number of freeze-and-thaw cycles will depend on the lesion’s type, size, thickness and location.
Some lesions may need more than one cryotherapy session. Your doctor will advise whether the area should be reviewed after healing or whether repeat treatment may be required.
Cryotherapy can cause a brief stinging, burning or aching sensation while the lesion is being frozen. The area may remain tender for several hours afterwards.
The level of discomfort differs depending on the treatment site, the size and depth of the lesion, and the length of the freezing time. Most superficial treatments are completed without an injected local anaesthetic, although your doctor will determine what is appropriate for your procedure.
The treated area may become red, swollen and tender shortly after cryotherapy. A blister may develop, and this can occasionally contain clear fluid or a small amount of blood. The area may then crust or form a scab before the damaged tissue gradually separates from the healthy skin beneath it.
Healing time will vary according to the lesion’s size, depth and location. Some areas, particularly the lower legs, may take longer to heal.
Avoid picking or deliberately removing a blister, crust or scab. Allow it to separate naturally unless your doctor gives you different instructions.
Your doctor or healthcare professional will provide aftercare instructions appropriate to the treatment site.
General guidance may include:
A dressing is not always necessary. It may be helpful when the area is weeping, exposed to dirt or repeatedly irritated by clothing.
Cryotherapy is a commonly used minor skin treatment, but all medical procedures carry potential risks.
Possible effects include:
Changes in pigmentation may be more noticeable in darker skin tones. The treated area may become lighter or darker than the surrounding skin, and this change can sometimes be permanent. Scarring is uncommon after light treatment but becomes more likely when a lesion requires a deeper or longer freeze.
Your doctor will consider the lesion’s location and your individual risk factors before recommending cryotherapy.
Some redness, tenderness, blistering and crusting can be expected after cryotherapy. Contact Hout Bay Family Medical Centre if you experience:
A persistent lesion may require another examination rather than repeat freezing. Some lesions need more than one treatment, while others may require biopsy or specialist referral.
Cryotherapy does not involve cutting or stitches, but it can still leave a mark or scar. The likelihood depends on the depth and duration of freezing, the body area being treated and how your skin normally heals.
The treated skin may initially look red or discoloured. In many cases, its appearance improves as healing continues, although lighter or darker pigmentation may remain.
Tell your doctor if you have previously developed prominent scars or long-lasting skin-colour changes after a procedure.
Cryotherapy should not be used simply to remove every unidentified skin lesion.
Your doctor may recommend a skin biopsy or referral to a dermatologist when:
A referral or biopsy does not necessarily mean that a serious condition has been confirmed. It allows the lesion to be investigated accurately before treatment proceeds.
Hout Bay Family Medical Centre provides cryotherapy, skin biopsies and minor surgical procedures within dedicated procedure rooms at our established family medical practice.
Our experienced general practitioners begin with a careful skin assessment and explain whether cryotherapy is appropriate, what the treatment involves and how to care for the area afterwards.
Patients looking for cryotherapy in Hout Bay, treatment of suitable warts or sun-damaged skin, or a trusted doctor to assess a skin lesion can arrange an appointment with Hout Bay Family Medical Centre.
The practice is conveniently located in Hout Bay, Cape Town, and provides community-focused medical care for individuals and families.
