Liquid Nitrogen Therapy

Liquid nitrogen is one of our most popular and versatile treatments. This page aims to explain some of the benefits and limitations of the treatment. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this, or any of our other treatments.

What is Liquid Nitrogen?

Nitrogen makes up about 80% of the air that we breathe. When compressed and cooled, the gas turns into a liquid (much like steam condensing on a window) which in fact looks very much like water. The main difference is the temperature - 77K or -195.8 celcius.

An excellent article about the physical properties of Nitrogen in all its forms can be found on Wikipedia.

How Does It Work?

The very low temperature of liquid nitrogen allows small quantities to freeze body tissues quickly. This causes ice crystals to form in the tissue resulting in damage to the cells, a bit like the sort of effect freezing has on a strawberry. The body then recognises the damaged tissue and removes it.

Because the nitrogen needs to be so cold, we lose a lot of it each time we fill our applicator (the nitrogen has to cool the applicator down). This is why it is cheaper to have a few lesions done at once - we use a lot less of the gas.

What Sort of Skin Problems Can it Treat?

We use liquid nitrogen for many skin problems. Warts and verrucas are the most common reason in younger patients. For those with more sun exposure, it is used to treat solar keratoses, seborrheic keratoses and even some types of skin cancer. As with most treatments, it is most effective, and has fewest side effects if used to treat small problems early.

Does it Hurt?

Only a little. Even small children usually tolerate the procedure well.

To enhance the effect, we often apply the nitrogen twice in one session. The second application is more effective than the first but is more painful. For small problems in children, we usually advise having the less effective single treatment as, usually the child is then happier to come back if needs be.

What About After Effects?

There is usually almost no pain after treatment although sometimes the area may be a little sore. At first it may seem like nothing has happened, but a blister soon develops. This heals much like most blisters from heat burns and healing is usually complete by 2 weeks.

Some deeper burns take a little longer to heal.

Verrucas (foot warts) are deeper and may take longer to heal.

As with all burns, scarring may occur after treatment but it is quite uncommon. Because the melanocytes which give our skin colour are more easily damaged than other skin cells, a light coloured patch of skin, which may be permanent, is a relatively common effect. This is most pronounced in patients with olive or darker skin.

You Mentioned Limitations...

Liquid nitrogen is suitable only when we are fairly certain that what we are treating is not a serious skin cancer. This is why we ask you to see the doctor before treatment commences.

The treatment may not work in all cases and sometimes lesions which seem to have been treated will come back (especially warts).

Not all skin lesions can be treated effectively - most thicker or raised lumps need a lot of liquid nitrogen to treat them. A better result may be obtained from surgical removal.

We may have none left! - We try to keep enough nitrogen in stock to treat you on the day of your choice. Very occasionally we run out (usually around a public holiday as these affect our deliveries). If you let us know that you are interested in liquid nitrogen treatment when you book an appointment, we can usually ensure it is available when you wish to come.

How Much Does it Cost?

Our price list for treatments is listed on our surgical services page.