Posted May 24, 2025 in Uncategorized
Fast, Safe, and Effective Treatment Using Liquid Nitrogen
If you’re looking to remove unwanted skin growths like warts, skin tags, or sun damage spots, cryotherapy is one of the most effective in-office treatments available. At Mountcastle Plastic Surgery & Vein Institute in Ashburn, VA, we offer liquid nitrogen cryotherapy to treat a wide variety of benign and precancerous skin lesions — without surgery or downtime.
🔍 What Is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen at –196°C to freeze and destroy abnormal skin tissue. The ultra-cold application causes the lesion’s cells to break down and eventually fall off, allowing new, healthy skin to replace it. Most lesions can be treated in under 5 minutes, and healing usually occurs in 7–14 days.
🩺 Conditions Treated with Cryotherapy (With Treatment Protocols)
We commonly treat the following lesions using liquid nitrogen cryotherapy:
✅ Actinic Keratosis
- Freeze Time: 5–10 seconds
- Number of Cycles: 1 freeze-thaw cycle
- Follow-Up: Usually resolved in 1 treatment. Recheck in 4–6 weeks for persistent lesions.
- Note: Treat early to prevent progression to skin cancer.
✅ Common Warts
- Freeze Time: 10–30 seconds
- Number of Cycles: 2 cycles with a thaw in between
- Follow-Up: Often requires 2–4 sessions spaced 2–3 weeks apart
- Note: Cryo kills virus-infected skin and may stimulate an immune response.
✅ Plantar Warts (on feet)
- Freeze Time: 30–60 seconds
- Number of Cycles: 2 cycles
- Follow-Up: Typically needs 3–5 treatments; paring callus before cryo improves success
- Note: Plantar warts are more resistant due to thick skin.
✅ Skin Tags
- Freeze Time: 5–10 seconds
- Number of Cycles: 1 cycle
- Follow-Up: Usually fall off within 7–10 days; no follow-up needed unless persistent
- Note: Avoid aggressive freezing to prevent pigment changes in sensitive areas.
✅ Seborrheic Keratosis
- Freeze Time: 10–20 seconds
- Number of Cycles: 1–2 cycles
- Follow-Up: May need a second session in 4–6 weeks
- Note: Lesion often crusts, darkens, then flakes off.
✅ Cherry Angiomas
- Freeze Time: 5–10 seconds
- Number of Cycles: 1 cycle
- Follow-Up: May require a second session for deeper lesions
- Note: Cryo coagulates small vessels causing angioma to dry up and fall off.
✅ Lentigines (Age Spots)
- Freeze Time: 5–10 seconds
- Number of Cycles: 1 cycle
- Follow-Up: 1–2 sessions usually sufficient
- Note: Treated spots darken before sloughing off. Use sunscreen to prevent recurrence.
⏱ What to Expect During Treatment
- Cleanse & Evaluate – We examine the lesion to confirm it’s safe for cryo.
- Apply Liquid Nitrogen – Delivered via spray or cotton-tip applicator.
- Freeze Time – Most lesions are frozen for 5–60 seconds depending on thickness.
- Healing – The lesion crusts or blisters and sheds in 1–2 weeks.
Multiple lesions can be treated in the same visit. Warts and thick lesions may need repeat sessions.
🧴 Aftercare Instructions
💧 Keep the area clean and dry for 24 hours
🧴 Apply petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment daily
⛔ Avoid picking or rubbing the area
🌞 Use SPF 30+ sunscreen once the site has healed
🎨 Resume makeup after healing (usually 7–10 days)
⚖️ Benefits of Cryotherapy
✅ Fast – Most treatments take under 5 minutes
✅ No Downtime – Resume daily activities the same day
✅ Low-Risk – Minimal scarring when properly done
✅ Affordable – Often less expensive than lasers or surgical removal
✅ Repeatable – Most lesions clear in 1–2 sessions; warts may need a few more
💡 Note: Deep or stubborn lesions like plantar warts or thick keratoses may require 3–5 sessions.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is cryotherapy painful?
A: Patients may feel a cold sting or burn lasting a few seconds. It’s well tolerated, even without numbing.
Q: How long does healing take?
A: Most sites heal in 7–14 days. Some thicker lesions or those on the feet may take 3–4 weeks.
Q: Is it covered by insurance?
A: Yes, if the lesion is medically necessary (e.g., precancerous or symptomatic warts). Cosmetic removals (like skin tags or age spots) are typically self-pay.
Q: Will I need more than one treatment?
A: Possibly. Warts and seborrheic keratoses may need 2–4 sessions depending on response. Most other lesions resolve in 1–2 treatments.
📍 Schedule Cryotherapy in Ashburn, VA
If you’re ready to safely remove skin tags, sun damage spots, cherry angiomas, or warts, cryotherapy may be your best option.
All treatments at Mountcastle Plastic Surgery & Vein Institute are performed by licensed professionals under the direction of Dr. Timothy Mountcastle, Double Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon.
📍 Mountcastle Plastic Surgery & Vein Institute
44095 Pipeline Plaza suite 430
Ashburn, VA 20147
📞 Call: 703-858-3208 ext. 2
🖱 Book Online