Cryosurgery in Miami, FL

What Is Cryosurgery?

Cryosurgery, also called cryotherapy, uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy abnormal skin cells. The extreme cold leads to both intracellular and extracellular effects that ultimately damage the targeted tissue, resulting in potential blistering, scabbing, and shedding over the following weeks as healthy skin replaces the lesion of concern.

Our providers at Goldman Dermatology of Miami use cryosurgery to treat a range of skin lesions, including warts, seborrheic keratoses, and actinic keratoses. Actinic keratoses are precancerous, sun-damaged spots that carry a risk of progressing to skin cancer if left untreated. In contrast, warts and seborrheic keratoses are benign growths that are removed either because they’re bothersome or for cosmetic reasons.

The procedure itself is quick and no numbing is needed. Liquid nitrogen is applied directly to the lesion, and the application typically lasts less than 30 seconds per spot. Most patients describe the sensation as uncomfortable, a cold, stinging feeling, rather than truly painful.

Why Are Multiple Treatments Sometimes Needed?

Some lesions clear after a single treatment, while others, particularly thicker warts or more established actinic keratoses, need more than one session spaced several weeks apart. Our providers reassess the treated area at each visit to determine whether additional freezing is needed to clear the lesion fully or if another mode of therapy is preferred.

What Are the Possible Side Effects?

A blister may form at the treated site within a day or two, which is a normal part of healing rather than a complication. Redness, swelling, and mild pain are common immediately after treatment. As the area heals, some patients notice a temporary change in pigment; the skin can appear lighter (hypopigmentation) or darker (hyperpigmentation) than the surrounding area, which typically evens out over the following months.

FAQ

What's the difference between liquid nitrogen cryotherapy and the spray used to treat warts from the drugstore?

Professional-grade liquid nitrogen reaches far colder temperatures than over-the-counter wart treatments, which use a much milder freezing agent. This allows our providers to treat a lesion more effectively, often in fewer sessions than an at-home product can achieve.

Will I need repeat treatments?

It depends on the lesion. Many warts and actinic keratoses clear within 1 to 3 sessions, though some resistant lesions may require additional rounds. Our providers determine this at each follow-up visit.

Is it normal to have a blister?

Yes. A blister forming within a day or two of treatment is a normal, expected response, not a complication. It typically scabs over and sheds naturally within one to two weeks.