Concierge dermatology · London
Cryotherapy for skin lesions, assessed before it is frozen.
Liquid nitrogen at -196 °C, applied by a consultant dermatologist or a GP with formal dermoscopy training — so warts, keratoses and small skin cancers get the right treatment, and anything suspicious is excised, not frozen.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A dermatologist, not a walk-in freeze
Consultant dermatologists or GPs with formal dermoscopy training — the lesion is looked at properly before it is frozen.
- 02
Melanoma is never frozen
A suspicious mole is excised for histology, not treated blind. We say so before you agree to cryotherapy.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private cryotherapy costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A single-lesion cryotherapy in our network: £150–£300, home the same visit.
| Treatment | Indicative range | Typical duration | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cryotherapy — single lesion | £150–£300 | 10–15 min | Same visit |
| Cryotherapy — multiple lesions | £250–£500 | 20–30 min | Same visit |
| Dermatology consultation + dermoscopy | £200–£350 | 30 min | Same visit |
| Field treatment (actinic keratoses) | £300–£600 | 20–30 min | Same visit |
| Curettage + cautery (alternative) | £400–£800 | 30 min LA | Same visit |
| Surgical excision + histology | £700–£1,600 | 30–45 min | 7–10 days |
Prices vary by clinic, by whether a consultation and dermoscopy are needed, by the number of lesions treated, and by whether histology is sent. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
Freezing without a diagnosis is the mistake we see most.
Cryotherapy is one of the fastest, cheapest treatments in dermatology — and one of the most misused. The problem is not the freeze; it is what gets frozen without a proper look first.
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Not sure what the lesion is?
A dermatoscope changes the answer in a fifth of cases. We insist on it before freezing anything.
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Worried it might be skin cancer?
Suspicious lesions are excised for histology — not frozen and forgotten.
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Want it done properly?
Two freeze-thaw cycles, a proper halo, and written aftercare — with a review at six to eight weeks.
The journey
From enquiry to review — what happens, in order.
Assessment, dermoscopy, treatment and follow-up — with one clinician from first message to the six-week review.
Phase 1 · Before your appointment
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
Under an hour at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. What the lesion looks like, how long it has been there, and whether it is changing.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: the right clinician, the right treatment (cryotherapy, topical, curettage or excision), an indicative price.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Usually within one to two weeks. Sometimes on the same day, if the diagnosis is clear and the lesion is straightforward.
- 04
On the day
Assessment and dermoscopy
The dermatologist examines every lesion with a dermatoscope — the ten-times magnifier that separates a keratosis from a melanoma.
- 05
On the day
The freeze itself
Liquid nitrogen (-196 °C) is applied by spray or cotton bud. Typically two freeze-thaw cycles, with a white halo around the lesion.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
No dressing needed. A blister often forms within 24 hours — expected, and part of how cryotherapy works.
- 07
After
Healing and review
Two to three weeks to heal. A review at six to eight weeks confirms the lesion has gone, or plans a second freeze if needed.
Typical end-to-end: 1–2 weeks from enquiry to treatment. Full healing: 2–3 weeks.
When it helps
When cryotherapy is the right treatment.
The lesions we treat most, plus the one red flag that means excision — not a freeze.
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Viral warts and verrucae
Common warts on hands and plantar warts on the sole — often need two or three treatments spaced a few weeks apart.
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Molluscum contagiosum
Small, pearly viral bumps, common in children. Cryotherapy is one option — often self-resolves without any treatment.
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Actinic (solar) keratoses
Rough, scaly sun-damage spots. Freezing is quick for single lesions; field treatment suits widespread damage.
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Seborrhoeic keratoses
Benign, warty, pigmented growths. Freezing is cosmetic — safe, but not medically necessary.
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Small superficial BCCs
Selected superficial basal cell carcinomas on low-risk sites — after dermoscopy confirms the diagnosis.
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Bowen’s disease (SCC in situ)
Squamous cell carcinoma in situ. Cryotherapy is an option, alongside topical 5-FU, imiquimod or photodynamic therapy.
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Skin tags and lentigines
Skin tags and sun-related brown spots — freezing works, though snip excision or laser may be better cosmetically.
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Red flag: anything melanoma-like
A changing, asymmetrical or irregularly pigmented mole is never frozen. Excision biopsy for histology is the correct step.
Options
Cryotherapy is not the only option.
Single-lesion versus field treatment, and how freezing compares with topical creams, curettage, PDT and surgical excision.
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Cryotherapy — single lesion
One or two lesions frozen in a short appointment. Ideal for a solitary wart, keratosis or skin tag.
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Field treatment
Widespread sun damage on the scalp or face treated as a field, often with topical 5-FU or imiquimod rather than freezing every spot.
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Cryotherapy vs topical
Freezing is quick and one-visit; creams (5-FU, imiquimod) treat larger areas over weeks. Both are first-line for actinic keratoses.
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Cryotherapy vs curettage + cautery
Curettage scrapes the lesion and cauterises the base — often better for thicker keratoses and gives tissue for histology.
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Cryotherapy vs photodynamic therapy
PDT is a targeted light treatment for actinic keratoses and Bowen’s — better cosmetic result on the face, but only in specialist centres.
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Cryotherapy vs surgical excision
Excision is the correct choice whenever histology is needed — every suspicious mole and every high-risk skin cancer.
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Second freeze
Warts, verrucae and molluscum often need a second or third treatment three to four weeks apart before they clear.
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Dermatology review only
A dermoscopy assessment with no treatment — often the right first step if the diagnosis is uncertain.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of dermatologists, we picked them.
Consultant dermatologists and dermoscopy-trained GPs across central, north, west and south London. Introductions are made privately, once we understand your lesion.
Selection criteria
How we choose every dermatologist in our network.
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Consultant dermatologists or GPs with formal dermoscopy training
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Every lesion assessed with a dermatoscope before any freeze
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Melanoma-suspicious lesions excised for histology, never frozen
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Alternatives (topical, curettage, PDT, excision) discussed before cryotherapy
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards — honestly.
Cryotherapy is one of the safest treatments in dermatology. The things worth planning are the blister, the healing time, and the pigmentation changes that matter more on darker skin.
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Two freeze-thaw cycles
Most lesions get two cycles of freezing separated by a thaw — this is what destroys the tissue reliably.
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A white halo around the lesion
The rim of pale, frozen skin around the target is normal and shows the freeze has reached healthy margins.
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Expect a blister
A blister — sometimes blood-filled — often forms within 24 hours. Leave it intact; it settles over one to two weeks.
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Healing takes two to three weeks
The lesion scabs, then falls off. A pink mark can persist for months before fading.
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Hypopigmentation on darker skin
Cryotherapy can leave a permanent pale patch, especially on Fitzpatrick IV–VI skin. Weigh this before freezing cosmetic lesions.
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Hair loss over treated scalp
Freezing a lesion on the scalp usually destroys the hair follicles beneath — the resulting bald patch is permanent.
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Careful near tendons
Repeated freezing of a hand or finger lesion can, rarely, damage the tendon underneath. A single, focused treatment is safer.
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Blister infection is uncommon
Keep the area clean and dry. Spreading redness, pus or fever is not normal — call the clinic the same day.
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Red flags
A lesion that grows back thicker, bleeds, ulcerates or was never fully assessed with dermoscopy needs specialist re-review, not another freeze.
Reading your treatment note
Your cryotherapy note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever lesion was treated, the note the dermatologist sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Dermatology language is precise and can read coldly — we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Diagnosis and lesion location
What was treated — wart, keratosis, BCC — and where on the body it sat.
- 02 Technique
Freeze method and cycles
Spray or cotton bud, how many freeze-thaw cycles, and the freeze time in seconds.
- 03 Findings
Dermoscopy notes and margins
What the dermatoscope showed, whether the halo covered the whole lesion, and any nearby lesions to watch.
- 04 Impression
Aftercare, review and safety-net
Read this first: what a normal blister looks like, when to review, and the red flags that need urgent contact.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for cryotherapy varies by insurer and by indication — usually funded when medically needed, self-pay for cosmetic lesions. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about cryotherapy.
Quick answers on pain, cost, alternatives, and why suspicious moles are never frozen.
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How much does cryotherapy actually hurt and can I go back to work after?
A sharp, cold sting for ten to thirty seconds per freeze, then a dull ache for an hour or two — most adults tolerate it without any anaesthetic and children manage one small lesion. You can go straight back to work; the London walk-in dermatology clinics usually finish a small verruca or wart treatment in under 15 minutes for around £120–£220.
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How many treatments do I need?
One freeze often clears an actinic keratosis or a small BCC. Warts and verrucae usually need two or three treatments three to four weeks apart.
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How much does private cryotherapy cost in London?
Roughly £150–£300 for a single lesion, £250–£500 for several. A dermatology consultation with dermoscopy is £200–£350. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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What are the alternatives to cryotherapy?
For actinic keratoses and Bowen’s — topical 5-FU, imiquimod or photodynamic therapy. For thicker lesions — curettage and cautery. For anything suspicious — surgical excision with histology.
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Why can’t you just freeze a suspicious mole?
Because freezing destroys the tissue and leaves nothing to send to the lab. A melanoma-suspicious lesion needs excision biopsy so the pathologist can grade it. Freezing a melanoma is a serious error.
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Will the treated area heal without a scar?
Usually. Expect a blister, then a scab, then pink skin that fades over months. On darker skin a permanent pale patch is possible, which is why we discuss it beforehand.
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Is cryotherapy safe in pregnancy or in children?
Yes — cryotherapy is safe in pregnancy and in older children. For very young children we often watch and wait, especially with molluscum, which typically resolves on its own.
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When should I see the clinic urgently after treatment?
A spreading red area, pus draining from the blister, or a fever are not normal. Contact the clinic the same day, or attend A&E if you are unwell.
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What if the lesion comes back?
Recurrence is common with warts and does not mean the treatment failed. A lesion that keeps recurring in the same spot, or looks different second time round, deserves a fresh dermoscopy assessment rather than another blind freeze.
Sources
- British Association of Dermatologists. Patient information leaflets — cryotherapy and skin lesions.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. NG14: Melanoma — assessment and management.
- American Academy of Dermatology. Cryosurgery and actinic keratosis guidance.
- European Dermatology Forum. Guidelines on cryotherapy and non-melanoma skin cancer.
Last reviewed 2026-07-30 · Next review 2027-07-30 · Reading time ~5 min · Reviewed by Pulse Atlas Editorial Board, .
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In practice, in London
Booking cryotherapy treatment privately in London — what actually happens
For cryotherapy treatment, the private London route is mostly about consultant fit and hospital choice rather than raw waiting time. On the NHS, cryotherapy treatment typically sits behind a triage step and a wait that can stretch from a few weeks into months. In London’s private sector, the same appointment often lands within days. That speed matters when symptoms are disrupting work, sleep, or a plan you’d already committed to — and it’s the single most common reason people call us in the first place.
A typical private booking for cryotherapy treatment in London starts with a consultant conversation — sometimes in person on Harley Street or Marylebone, sometimes on video if that suits better. Any imaging or diagnostics happen at a nearby CQC-registered facility, and reports usually land within 24 to 72 hours. The whole loop, from first call to written report, is often done inside a fortnight. For cryotherapy treatment in particular, we bias towards consultants who do this every week rather than every month.
We’re careful about what a private pathway for cryotherapy treatment can and can’t promise. It can compress a wait, put you in front of a subspecialist quickly, and get a proper report in your hands within a week. It can’t rewrite what the imaging or the bloods say. Setting that expectation up front tends to make the whole experience less stressful.