Lesion Removal

What lesions can we remove?

The CryoPen® is an advanced cryotherapy innovation that is a fast, effective, safe solution for removal of benign skin lesions.

The CryoPen is an ideal treatment for:

• Pigmentation

• Age spots

• Skin tags

• Milia

• Seborrheic keratosis

• Verrucas and Warts

• Cherry angioma

What is a Skin Tag?

Skin tags, medically known as acrochordons, are small growths found on the skin. The appearance of a skin tag can be smooth or irregular, skin coloured or slightly brown and movable to the touch. They are common, non-contagious and harmless. Skin tags are mainly found on the eyelids, neck, underarms, under the breasts, or around the groin area and can vary in size. They may occur individually or in clustered groups.

Some people may develop skin tags without noticing them. In some cases, they may rub off or fall off painlessly. In contrast, slightly larger ones may bleed when caught (e.g., when shaving or trapped underneath clothing, such as underwired garments) or placed under pressure. Skin tags often go unnoticed unless they are in a prominent place or are repeatedly rubbed or scratched by clothing, jewellery, or while shaving. This type of contact can irritate the skin and lead to the decision to have them removed.

What are Cherry Angiomas (Blood Spots)?

Cherry angiomas are benign skin growths made up of a collection of broken blood vessels or dilated capillaries. They are round in appearance and cherry red or purplish in colour. Also known as Campbell de Morgan spots and more commonly referred to as blood spots, they can present on any area of the face or body.

Often circular or oval in shape, some blood spots appear smooth and even against the skin, while others appear slightly raised. As they age, the size and colour of blood spots can begin to change. Often, they become raised to form a dome-like shape with a smooth surface and may change slightly in colour.

While they can develop in children, adults over the age of 30 are more prone to the development of blood spots. Typically, blood spots are not a serious skin condition that requires treatment. However, some may choose to have them removed for cosmetic purposes.

What is Milia?

A milium cyst, sometimes called a “milk spot,” is a tiny, benign lump that can be yellow or white in colour. These cysts, known as milia, are frequently found in groups or clusters and are most frequently located on the nose, under the eyes, or around the cheekbone.

Milia may feel quite rough, almost like a tiny piece of grit under the skin, in contrast to a zit or spot. This is due to the fact that they are composed of hard, dead skin cells that are unable to decompose or escape beneath the skin’s surface.

Unlike whiteheads or spots related to acne, milium cysts do not exhibit any redness or inflammation. Although they are not harmful or infectious, some people may experience self-consciousness due to them, particularly if they are on a visible area of skin like the face.

Although mila can sometimes take a long time to go away on its own, it can be professionally treated with a quick, easy procedure.

What is Seborrheic Keratosis?

Seborrheic keratosis (SK) is a benign skin blemish/lesion. This common skin disorder can affect all genders and all ages. It can range from tiny spots to large plaques and may sometimes be itchy or uncomfortable. Seborrhoeic keratosis is very common and harmless. In the UK, more than a third of men and women have at least one seborrhoeic keratosis. It is characterised by the appearance of raised, scaly patches on the skin. These patches may be light or dark in colour and can range from a few millimeters to several centimeters. 

Seborrhoeic keratosis can be caused by an overproduction of the protein keratin, which accumulates a build-up of skin cells. Although this skin concern can cause insecurities, seborrhoeic keratosis is a benign growth. 

What are Age Spots?

Age spots, often called liver spots, are hyperpigmented brown patches on the skin’s surface. They are flat in appearance, vary in size and occur mainly on the face, chest, back and hands. Hyperpigmentation is a common, usually harmless condition in which small areas of the skin become darker in colour. This darkening occurs when an excess of the skin’s natural pigment, melanin, creates a concentrated deposit in the skin.

Age and over-exposure to harmful UV light are the main reasons an individual may develop hyperpigmentation. Because of this, age spots are extremely common in adults above the age of 40. However, they can present at any age. Younger people may experience age spots due to inadequate protection against sun damage.

Although very similar to freckles in appearance, age spots are permanent and do not fade during the winter months. The development of liver spots is often associated with ageing and can make sufferers more self-conscious.

What is Hyperpigmentation?

Abnormal skin pigmentation or hyperpigmentation can present in many forms. This includes hormonal pigmentation such as melasma or environmental pigmentation, such as liver spots, age spots, sun damage, and post-inflammatory pigmentation.

Skin pigmentation is typically flat in appearance and varies in size, occurring mainly on the face, chest, back and hands. It is a common and usually harmless condition, in which small areas of the skin become darker in colour due to a build-up of melanin in one area.

Hyperpigmentation is directly influenced by an increase in melanin. Melanin is a pigment found in the skin that determines its overall colour. Melanin plays a critical role in protecting the skin from the harmful effects of the suns UV rays. A variety of genetic and environmental factors are involved in the body’s regulation of melanin. Because of this, excessive or deficient amounts of melanin create hyperpigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation is often associated with ageing or sun damage and can make sufferers feel more self-conscious about their appearance.

What is Solar Lentigo?

Solar lentigo is a dark spot or patch of darkened skin caused by too much sun exposure and harmful UV rays. Solar lentigines are usually harmless but may be cosmetically unappealing for some people. As a result of too much sun exposure, it is widespread in people over 40 years old because they have had more prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays. Additionally, they are more common in fair-skinned individuals. 

Due to the nature of solar lentigo, it usually appears on the face, arms, hands, shoulders and legs and other familiar places which are highly exposed to sun and harmful UV rays without any protection. Sun protection, including sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher or covering over with protective clothing, can help reduce future occurrences of solar lentigines.

What are Verrucas and Warts?

Verrucas, also known as plantar warts, are small, white growths usually found on the hands and feet. They are often recognised by the small black dots found in their centre, which occur from the clotting of tiny blood vessels on the skin’s surface.

Though they are not particularly harmful, they may feel tender or painful when weight is placed on them. As verrucas commonly occur on the feet and toes, they tend to look relatively flat because of the pressure applied to them from standing. Verrucas are commonly found on the most pressure-bearing parts of the foot, the balls and heels. Warts, however, will usually appear slightly domed.

Most plantar warts are due to a virus that enters the body via microscopic fractures or wounds on the soles of the feet. Although the virus is not very infectious, a moist atmosphere may facilitate its transmission. As a result, bare feet coming into contact with infected surfaces in changing rooms and shower stalls may transmit the infection.

One of the most prevalent types of warts is the verruca, which may afflict anybody at any age. However, verrucas are found to develop more frequently in adolescence or early adulthood.

Please get in touch to book a lesion removal treatment including skin tag removal at our luxury skin and aesthetics clinic in Bishops Waltham.