Cryotherapy London 2026. The Doctor-Led Guide to Skin Lesion Removal Since the NHS Stopped Funding It
Last updated. May 2026. Medically reviewed by GMC-registered doctors at The Online GP by The Wellness, Marylebone.
The NHS no longer funds cryotherapy for benign skin lesions such as skin tags, viral warts, verrucas, seborrhoeic keratoses, milia, cherry angiomas, and age spots. Following the September 2024 update to the Evidence-Based Interventions (EBI) policy, removal of these lesions is classified as cosmetic and falls outside routine NHS funding. The Online GP by The Wellness performs doctor-led cryotherapy at our Marylebone clinic adjacent to Harley Street from £195 for an initial assessment with first lesion treated, with GMC-registered doctors, CQC-registered premises, and same-day appointments routinely available.
Speak to a GMC-registered doctor about cryotherapy today. WhatsApp +44 7961 280835 | Email team@thewellnesslondon.com | Call 020 3951 3429.
What is cryotherapy and how does it actually work
Cryotherapy is the controlled application of extreme cold to destroy unwanted tissue. The two cold agents used in UK clinics are liquid nitrogen at minus 196 degrees Celsius and nitrous oxide at minus 89 degrees Celsius. When applied to a benign skin lesion, the cold freezes the intracellular fluid, forms ice crystals that rupture the cell membrane, and triggers controlled necrosis of the lesion while leaving surrounding healthy tissue largely undisturbed.
The British Association of Dermatologists recognises cryotherapy as a first-line treatment for a range of benign skin lesions. The procedure typically takes 10 to 30 seconds per lesion. Most patients experience a brief stinging sensation that is bearable without local anaesthetic. The treated lesion forms a blister or scab within 24 to 48 hours and falls away over 7 to 14 days, leaving normal skin underneath.
Two delivery technologies dominate the UK private market. Liquid nitrogen spray delivered by Cry-Ac or similar canister achieves the deepest freeze and is suited to thicker viral warts and seborrhoeic keratoses. CryoPen-style nitrous oxide devices deliver a fine, precise jet that is ideal for small skin tags, milia, cherry angiomas, and lesions in delicate areas including the face. The Online GP by The Wellness uses both technologies, selected per lesion by the treating doctor.
Why the NHS no longer offers cryotherapy for benign skin lesions
In September 2024, NHS England published version 4.0 of the Evidence-Based Interventions guidance covering removal of benign skin lesions. The policy reclassified the removal of skin tags, non-genital viral warts in immunocompetent adults, seborrhoeic keratoses, milia, cherry angiomas, lipomas under 5cm, and similar benign lesions as procedures that should not be routinely funded on the NHS unless very specific clinical criteria are met. Key changes included greater clarity on eligibility criteria, removal of criteria allowing treatment in children causing significant psychological impact, and additional criteria for facial viral warts defined as significant psychological distress in under 18s who are unable to tolerate cryotherapy.
For most adults with a bothersome but medically benign skin lesion, the practical reality is straightforward. The NHS will not remove it. As cosmetic procedures, such as the removal of warts and skin tags, are no longer available on the NHS through routine GP services, patients seeking treatment must access private care. The cryotherapy process historically could be carried out by your local GP, but the NHS with its vast responsibilities and limited resources are now prioritising treatments that address more pressing medical concerns.
This change has driven a substantial increase in demand for private doctor-led cryotherapy across London, particularly in the Marylebone and Harley Street medical district where assessment standards and clinical oversight are highest.
Photograph your lesion and send it on WhatsApp before booking. A GMC-registered doctor at The Online GP by The Wellness can usually confirm suitability and likely cost within the hour. Send a photo on WhatsApp +44 7961 280835.
Which skin lesions can cryotherapy treat
Cryotherapy is licensed and clinically validated for a defined list of benign skin lesions. The Online GP by The Wellness treats the following at our Marylebone clinic, with a doctor confirming the diagnosis before any freezing is performed.
Skin tags (acrochordons). Soft, pedunculated growths most commonly found on the neck, armpits, under the breasts, groin, and eyelids. Cryotherapy with a precision CryoPen is the preferred technique for skin tags under 5mm. Larger or pedunculated skin tags may be removed by shave excision under local anaesthetic in the same visit.
Viral warts and verrucas. Caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Common warts on hands and fingers, plantar warts (verrucas) on the soles of the feet, and filiform warts often respond to cryotherapy. The NHS estimates that warts affect three in four people at some point in their lives. Most warts resolve spontaneously within two years but cryotherapy accelerates resolution and is clinically appropriate when the wart is painful, spreading, embarrassing, or has persisted beyond 6 months.
Seborrhoeic keratoses. Brown, waxy, stuck-on looking growths common in adults over 40. Often mistaken for moles or melanoma. A doctor must visually assess and where needed dermatoscopically examine these before cryotherapy to rule out malignancy. Once confirmed benign, cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen spray is highly effective.
Cherry angiomas (Campbell de Morgan spots). Small, bright red, dome-shaped vascular lesions that appear with age. Cryotherapy with a precision device flattens or removes them in a single session in most cases.
Solar lentigines (age spots and sun spots). Flat, pigmented patches on sun-exposed skin. Cryotherapy can lighten or remove these, though laser is sometimes preferred for widespread pigmentation. A doctor will advise on the best option per lesion.
Milia. Tiny white keratin cysts most often around the eyes. CryoPen treatment is precise enough for these delicate areas.
Actinic keratoses (sun-damaged skin precursor lesions). These are pre-malignant and warrant doctor assessment. Cryotherapy is a recognised NICE-endorsed treatment for confirmed actinic keratoses, though field-directed therapy may be considered when multiple lesions are present.
Molluscum contagiosum. Small, pearly viral skin lesions common in children. Cryotherapy is appropriate in older children and adults where lesions are spreading or persistent.
What cryotherapy does not treat. Cryotherapy is not the right treatment for moles (melanocytic naevi), pigmented lesions of uncertain diagnosis, suspected skin cancers, lipomas, sebaceous cysts, or lesions on the lip vermilion border. The Online GP by The Wellness will refer to a consultant dermatologist for excision biopsy where this is appropriate, with same-week appointments available.
Cryotherapy London pricing. Harley Street benchmarks and where The Online GP by The Wellness sits
The London private cryotherapy market spans a wide price range, from sub-£100 nurse-led clinics in lower-cost boroughs to £650+ per single lesion at premium Harley Street dermatology clinics. The right benchmark depends on the level of medical oversight the patient values.
Provider: The Online GP by The Wellness (Marylebone)
Initial consultation: Included in procedure fee
First lesion: £295
Additional lesions same visit: £75 each
Clinical lead: GMC-registered doctor
Provider: Harley Street Skin Clinic
Initial consultation: Free
First lesion: £375
Additional lesions same visit: £175 each
Clinical lead: Doctor-led
Provider: Self London (Harley Street)
Initial consultation: Variable
First lesion: £250+
Additional lesions same visit: Variable
Clinical lead: Doctor led
Provider: City Dermatology Clinic
Initial consultation: £100
First lesion: £195 to £295
Additional lesions same visit: Variable
Clinical lead: Doctor-led
Provider: Cosmedics Skin Clinics
Initial consultation: Free
First lesion: £750 (anal skin tag)
Additional lesions same visit: Variable
Clinical lead: Doctor/surgeon
Provider: 111CRYO Harvey Nichols
Initial consultation: n/a
First lesion: £95 (whole body only)
Additional lesions same visit: Package
Clinical lead: Therapist-led, not Doctors, does not always remove lesion
Provider: LondonCryo Belgravia
Initial consultation: n/a
First lesion: Variable
Additional lesions same visit: Course-based
Clinical lead: Therapist-led
Prices verified May 2026. Cryotherapy for benign skin lesion removal is doctor-territory because correct diagnosis precedes treatment. Whole-body cryotherapy chambers operated by therapists are a separate wellness category and are not equivalent to medical cryotherapy.
The pricing logic at The Online GP by The Wellness is straightforward. Every visit begins with a 20 to 30-minute consultation with a GMC-registered doctor who confirms the diagnosis, rules out malignancy, and explains the procedure and aftercare. The fee includes the consultation, the procedure, written aftercare, and follow-up advice via WhatsApp or phone. Harley Street Skin Clinic in London provides treatment for skin tag removal at £375 per skin tag and £175 for an additional skin tag treated on the same day. The Online GP by The Wellness positions doctor-led care closer to mid-market while retaining the diagnostic standard that defines the Harley Street medical district.
Cryotherapy at The Online GP by The Wellness from £195 with same-day availability. WhatsApp for pricing on your specific lesion or email team@thewellnesslondon.com.
Why doctor-led cryotherapy matters more than the freeze itself
The risk in cryotherapy is rarely the procedure. Cryotherapy itself is one of the safest interventions in dermatology, with side effects limited to temporary blistering, transient pigment change in darker skin tones, and rare scarring. The real risk is what is being frozen.
A 2018 BMJ Case Reports review documented multiple cases of amelanotic melanoma initially misdiagnosed as benign lesions and treated with cryotherapy, delaying diagnosis. Pigmented lesions that look like seborrhoeic keratoses but are in fact early melanoma. Bowen disease (squamous cell carcinoma in situ) that resembles a stubborn patch of eczema. Basal cell carcinomas masquerading as cherry angiomas. The NICE skin cancer guidelines (NG12) require that any lesion with diagnostic uncertainty be referred for specialist review before treatment, and the British Association of Dermatologists emphasises dermatoscopic evaluation as standard of care for pigmented lesions.
A nurse-led cryotherapy clinic, however efficient, cannot legally diagnose. A beauty therapist with a CryoPen certificate cannot rule out melanoma. A walk-in pharmacy cryotherapy service cannot dermatoscopically examine an atypical mole. A patient with a skin or subcutaneous lesion that has features suspicious of malignancy must be treated or referred according to NICE skin cancer guidelines.
This is the single most important reason to choose a GMC-registered doctor-led service for cryotherapy. The Online GP by The Wellness combines doctor-led diagnosis (including dermatoscopy where indicated), same-visit cryotherapy treatment for confirmed benign lesions, and direct onward referral to consultant dermatology when the diagnosis is uncertain or suspicious. The clinic is CQC-registered and every doctor is on the GMC specialist or GP register.
The diagnostic step is the value. The cryotherapy is the consequence.
What happens during a cryotherapy appointment at The Online GP by The Wellness
The clinic operates from Marylebone, three minutes from Baker Street tube and five minutes from Bond Street, in the same building used for general practice consultations, blood testing, ultrasound, and Executive Body Scans.
Step 1. Doctor consultation (20 minutes). A GMC-registered doctor takes a full history of the lesion including duration, change, bleeding, itching, family history of skin cancer, and current medications. Photographs are taken with consent for the patient record.
Step 2. Clinical and dermatoscopic examination. The lesion is examined with the naked eye and, where pigmented or atypical, under dermatoscope. The doctor confirms benign diagnosis or arranges urgent referral if any feature is suspicious.
Step 3. Treatment plan and consent. The doctor explains the procedure, expected healing course, potential side effects (blistering, transient pigment change, rare scarring), aftercare, and cost. Written consent is obtained.
Step 4. Cryotherapy procedure. Performed on the same visit. Most lesions take 10 to 30 seconds of freezing per cycle, with one or two freeze-thaw cycles depending on lesion thickness. Discomfort is brief and bearable without anaesthetic.
Step 5. Aftercare and follow-up. Written instructions are provided, including how to manage the blister, when to expect the scab to fall off, and signs to watch for. Follow-up via WhatsApp is included, and a free repeat session is offered if a viral wart has not fully cleared at 4 weeks.
Most appointments take 30 to 45 minutes from arrival to departure. International patients, expats, and London residents without NHS registration are welcome. No GP referral is required.
Book a cryotherapy assessment for next week or the week after. Same-day slots are sometimes available. WhatsApp +44 7961 280835 | Email team@thewellnesslondon.com | Call 020 3951 3429.
What to expect after cryotherapy. The healing timeline
The most common reason patients hesitate over cryotherapy is uncertainty about what the treated area will look like in the days following. The following timeline reflects the typical post-treatment course for a small skin tag or viral wart treated with a standard freeze-thaw cycle.
Day 0 (treatment day). The area is red and slightly swollen. A small blister may form within a few hours. Discomfort is mild and usually resolves within hours.
Day 1 to 3. The blister matures. If it forms in a friction area such as the waistband or under a bra strap, a clear plaster prevents rubbing. Paracetamol is sufficient if any tenderness is felt.
Day 4 to 7. The blister dries and forms a small scab. Do not pick at the scab. Keep the area clean with mild soap and water. Avoid swimming pools and saunas until the scab falls off.
Day 8 to 14. The scab falls off naturally, revealing pink, normal skin underneath. The pink hue fades over the following 4 to 8 weeks.
Week 4 to 6. Most lesions are fully resolved. For viral warts, a small percentage require a second session, included in the multi-session package or available at a follow-up rate.
Permanent side effects are uncommon. The most frequent persistent change is mild hypopigmentation (lighter skin patch) in patients with darker skin tones. The doctor will discuss this before treatment and recommend test treatment of a small area first where appropriate.
Cryotherapy versus laser, electrocautery, and surgical removal
For most benign skin lesions, cryotherapy is the appropriate first-line treatment. There are scenarios where another modality is preferable, and the doctor will discuss this at consultation.
Cryotherapy strengths. Fast (seconds per lesion), no needle, no anaesthetic, no stitches, no scarring in most cases, suitable in pregnancy, suitable for children where tolerated, suitable for multiple lesions in one visit.
Cryotherapy limitations. Less suited to very large lesions, lesions on the lip vermilion or near the eye, deeply pigmented seborrhoeic keratoses on darker skin (risk of hypopigmentation), and any lesion requiring histological diagnosis.
Electrocautery and curettage. Better suited to larger pedunculated skin tags, raised seborrhoeic keratoses, and some viral warts. Requires local anaesthetic. Offered at The Online GP by The Wellness for indicated lesions.
Laser ablation. Useful for vascular lesions, port wine stains, and certain pigmented lesions. Requires specialist consultant referral. The clinic refers directly when laser is the right answer.
Surgical excision. Required when histological diagnosis is needed (suspected cancer), for cysts, lipomas, and any lesion where complete tissue removal is necessary. The Online GP by The Wellness refers to consultant plastic surgeons and dermatologists at adjacent Harley Street practices.
The right treatment is lesion-specific. The Online GP by The Wellness does not push one modality. The doctor selects the most appropriate technique per lesion and refers when a different specialist is the right answer.
Whole-body cryotherapy versus medical cryotherapy. A clarification
The word cryotherapy is used for two different categories of treatment, and the distinction matters.
Medical cryotherapy is the targeted application of cold to remove specific skin lesions, as described in this article. It is doctor-led, diagnostic-led, and clinically validated. The Online GP by The Wellness offers this service.
Whole-body cryotherapy is a wellness or sports recovery treatment in which the patient stands in a chamber cooled to between minus 85 and minus 110 degrees Celsius for 2 to 3 minutes. Providers in London include 111Cryo, LondonCryo, and Get A Drip. The claimed benefits include reduced muscle inflammation, improved recovery from sport, mood elevation, and enhanced sleep. The Cryotherapy treatment at 111CRYO is priced at £95 per treatment which lasts around 3 minutes. Cryo introduction for new customers only at three sessions is £200.
The clinical evidence for whole-body cryotherapy is mixed. A 2015 Cochrane review found moderate evidence for short-term reduction in delayed-onset muscle soreness in athletes but insufficient evidence for many other claimed benefits including weight loss, depression, and chronic pain. Whole-body cryotherapy is not regulated as a medical treatment in the UK and providers are not required to have a doctor on site.
If you are considering whole-body cryotherapy for a specific health concern (cardiovascular conditions, Raynaud syndrome, uncontrolled hypertension, pregnancy), a doctor consultation first is wise. The Online GP by The Wellness offers a 30-minute pre-cryo health screen including blood pressure, brief cardiovascular history, and clearance letter for £125 if needed, and can advise on whether whole-body cryotherapy is medically safe in your case.
For the lesion-removal cryotherapy that this article focuses on, the answer is doctor-led from start to finish.
Frequently asked questions
Does cryotherapy hurt. Most patients describe the freeze as a stinging or burning sensation lasting 5 to 20 seconds, similar to ice held against the skin. Most adults and older children tolerate it without anaesthetic. Topical numbing cream can be applied beforehand if requested.
Can I drive home afterwards. Yes. There is no sedation involved. Patients return to work immediately if desired.
Will the lesion come back. For most benign lesions, no. Skin tags, cherry angiomas, and milia rarely recur in the same spot. Viral warts have a higher recurrence rate (around 15 to 20 percent) because the underlying HPV virus may persist. A second session at 4 weeks is included in the multi-session package for viral warts.
Are there scars. Permanent scarring is uncommon with correctly performed cryotherapy. Mild pigment change (lighter or darker patch) can occur, especially in darker skin tones, and usually fades over 6 to 12 months.
Can cryotherapy be done in pregnancy. Yes, cryotherapy is considered safe in pregnancy because the cold effect is localised. Many patients use this window to address skin tags that have appeared during pregnancy. A doctor will confirm safety on consultation.
How long until I see results. Most lesions are visibly resolving within 7 to 14 days, with full healing by 4 to 6 weeks.
Do I need a GP referral. No. The Online GP by The Wellness accepts direct bookings. International patients, expats, and London residents without NHS registration are welcome.
Can I bring photos rather than be examined first. Yes. A photograph sent via WhatsApp gives the doctor an initial view and confirms whether cryotherapy is likely appropriate. A formal in-person examination is still required before any treatment because diagnostic accuracy depends on direct visualisation and dermatoscopy.
What if my lesion turns out to be something else. If the doctor identifies any feature suspicious of malignancy, you will be referred urgently to a consultant dermatologist (typically within the same week). No treatment is performed if there is diagnostic uncertainty.
How to book cryotherapy at The Online GP by The Wellness
The clinic is at Marylebone, central London, three minutes from Baker Street tube. Same-day appointments are routinely available in Marylebone or partner clincs before midday. All consultations are 20 to 30 minutes and include doctor diagnosis, treatment where appropriate, written aftercare, and WhatsApp follow-up.
Three ways to enquire.
WhatsApp. Send a photograph of the lesion and a brief description. A doctor will respond with likely suitability and pricing within the hour during clinic hours. Open WhatsApp +44 7961 280835.
Email. team@thewellnesslondon.com. Include a photograph if possible. Response within 2 hours during clinic hours.
Phone. 020 3951 3429. Reception will book the next available slot.
International patients welcome. No NHS registration, UK address, or GP referral required.
Medical disclaimer and authorship
This article is for general information and does not constitute medical advice for any individual case. Skin lesions vary in appearance and behaviour, and proper diagnosis requires direct clinical examination. If you notice a lesion that is changing in size, shape, or colour, that is bleeding spontaneously, or that is associated with new symptoms, please seek prompt medical assessment. If you experience severe pain, infection, or persistent bleeding after any procedure, please call 999 or attend your nearest emergency department
About The Online GP by The Wellness. The Online GP by The Wellness is a private healthcare group providing doctor-led medical services from our Marylebone clinic adjacent to Harley Street. All doctors are GMC-registered. Contact us on WhatsApp at +44 7961 280835, email team@thewellnesslondon.com, or call 020 3951 3429.
References.
NHS England. Evidence-Based Interventions Programme, List 1 and List 2 guidance. Updated September 2024.
NICE. Guideline NG12. Suspected cancer, recognition and referral. Updated 2023.
British Association of Dermatologists. Patient information leaflets on cryotherapy and benign skin lesions. Updated 2025.
NHS England. Atlas of Variation in healthcare for people with skin conditions. 2024.
Royal College of General Practitioners. Curriculum for general practice, dermatology module. Updated 2024.
Andrews MD. Cryosurgery for common skin conditions. American Family Physician. 2004 and updated reviews.
Connolly M et al. Cryotherapy of viral warts. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Updated 2022.
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