Freezing with liquid nitrogen (formally known as ‘cryosurgery’) is the most common treatment method we use in dermatology. It’s performed by applying liquid nitrogen with either a spray bottle or applicator swab. It works by essentially ‘frostbiting’ the treatment site which then peels away days to weeks later. Liquid nitrogen is able to do this because it is so cold (­321 °F). A variety of lesions can be treated with cryosurgery ­ including actinic keratoses (‘precancers’), warts and wart­-like growths called seborrheic keratoses.

The primary advantages of cryosurgery are that it can treat lesions faster, at less cost, and at less risk than traditional surgery (cutting). 

However, it has a few disadvantages:

The application of liquid nitrogen isn’t painless.

Although it’s cold, many describe the procedure as feeling as if it’s ‘burning’.

Cryosurgery can cause treatment sites to appear permanently lighter in color.

Extra caution must be used when treating the face or any other cosmetically­-sensitive area.

It’s only appropriate for ‘surface’ lesions.

In other words, it’s generally not effective for the treatment of fully­-developed skin cancers or ‘deep’ lesions such as large moles.

Depending on how it is applied and the location of the treatment site, blisters may form in the days following treatment (more common on the hands and feet).

Social activities or exercise may be affected for several days if treatment is performed on the face, hands or feet.