Cryotherapy at Bramley Pharmacy: What to Know Before and After Your Appointment

Skin lesions are one of those things we all tend to ignore until they become irritating, painful, or unsightly. Whether it’s a wart, verruca, skin tag, or age spot, these small growths can slowly thicken, darken, and spread over time — and once they’ve hardened, they become much harder to treat.

At Bramley Pharmacy, we offer medical-grade cryotherapy — a safe, effective way to remove unwanted skin lesions quickly, without cutting or surgery. But to get the best results, preparation and aftercare make all the difference.

Here’s what to expect before, during, and after your cryotherapy appointment.

What is cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy works by using extremely cold nitrous oxide or liquid nitrogen to freeze the lesion, destroying the abnormal tissue while leaving healthy skin untouched.

The treated area will blister, scab, and then naturally shed, allowing new, clear skin to form underneath. It’s quick, clean, and can be used for:

• Warts and verrucas

• Seborrhoeic keratoses (age spots)

• Skin tags

• Sun spots and other benign lesions

Before your appointment: how to prepare

To achieve the best freezing effect, the lesion must be softened and thinned down before treatment. Hard, thickened, or calloused skin acts as insulation, preventing the cold from reaching the deeper layers.

Here’s how to prepare:

• Soak the area (especially warts and verrucas) in warm water for 5–10 minutes daily for a few days before your appointment.

• Gently exfoliate or use a pumice stone or emery board to remove any hard surface skin.

• Avoid creams or barrier products on the day of treatment — they can reduce the effectiveness of the freeze.

• If the area is cracked, inflamed, or infected, contact us first so we can assess suitability.

This pre-treatment care helps ensure that cryotherapy works effectively from the first session and reduces the need for extra treatments.

What happens at your appointment

Each consultation at Bramley Pharmacy includes:

• A clinical assessment of the lesion(s) by our prescribing pharmacist to confirm that cryotherapy is suitable.

• A personalised treatment quote, starting from £70 — based on the size, location, and number of lesions.

• The quoted price covers two freezing sessions, spaced two weeks apart, allowing time for natural healing between applications.

During treatment, a fine applicator tip delivers a burst of cold gas directly onto the lesion for a few seconds. You’ll feel a sharp cold sensation that fades quickly. The treated area may whiten, blister, or crust over in the following days — this is normal and part of the healing process.

After your appointment: caring for your skin

Proper aftercare helps the area heal cleanly and reduces the risk of infection or scarring.

Immediately after treatment:

• The area may look red or slightly swollen — this usually settles within a few hours.

• A blister or crust may form; do not burst or pick it.

• Keep the area clean, dry, and uncovered where possible.

Over the next few days:

• You may gently wash the area with mild soap and water after 24 hours.

• Avoid tight clothing or friction over the area.

• If a scab forms, let it fall off naturally — picking can cause delayed healing or pigmentation changes.

• You can apply a soothing ointment or antiseptic cream if it feels sore or dry.

• Avoid swimming, saunas, and excessive sun exposure until fully healed.

Most lesions will darken, shrink, and shed within 2–4 weeks, revealing new, smoother skin beneath.
If any lesion remains or partially improves, your second session (included in your treatment plan) will target what’s left.

When to get checked

If the lesion shows any unusual changes — such as bleeding, rapid growth, colour change, or irregular edges — it should be reviewed before freezing. Your pharmacist will refer you for GP or dermatology assessment if there’s any doubt about its nature.

Why early treatment matters

Skin lesions rarely improve on their own. Over time, warts and verrucas can spread, seborrhoeic keratoses can thicken, and skin tags can catch or bleed.
Early cryotherapy often means:

• Shorter freezing times

• Less discomfort

• Faster healing

• Better cosmetic results

It’s a small, proactive step that prevents a minor issue from becoming a more stubborn one.

Book your private cryotherapy consultation

Our cryotherapy service at Bramley Pharmacy is run by trained clinical pharmacists experienced in minor skin procedures.
We’ll examine your lesion, provide a tailored quote, and carry out treatment if suitable — all within a single appointment.