Cryotherapy at Grace Health Centre: What You Need to Know
Expected read time: 5 minutes
Written by: Diana Neumann, BSc ; Reviewed by Dr Zachary Au, MD
We are excited to introduce a new service at Grace Health Centre: cryotherapy, a safe, quick, and effective treatment for a diverse number of common skin conditions. If you have been dealing with warts, skin tags, or sun spots, cryotherapy might be the solution you are looking for!
What is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is a minimally invasive medical treatment that works by freezing surface-level skin lesions using extremely cold liquid nitrogen. It is commonly used in family medicine and dermatology to treat abnormal or unwanted skin tissue like warts, skin tags, and sun damage.
At Grace Health Centre, we are proud to offer cryotherapy as a safe, effective, and low-risk alternative to more invasive procedures like excision or surgery.
What Can Cryotherapy Treat?
At Grace Health Centre, we offer cryotherapy for the following external skin conditions:
- Seborrheic Keratosis
- Verruca (Common Warts)
- Skin Tags
- Solar Lentigo (Sun Spots)
- Hypertrophic/Keloid Scars
- Actinic Keratosis
- Molluscum Contagiosum
These skin issues are generally benign but may be bothersome, uncomfortable, or cosmetically unwanted. Cryotherapy can safely and effectively remove them with minimal downtime.
Why Do We Use Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is a popular treatment choice because it is:
- Minimally painful – most people describe only a brief stinging or burning sensation
- No Anesthetic Required – especially for small lesions
- Low Risk – compared to surgical removal or excision
- Simple and Cost-effective – ideal for treating multiple lesions quickly
Are There Any Risks?
Cryotherapy is generally safe, but like all treatments, it does come with some risks. After treatment, it’s normal to experience some redness, swelling, or blistering as the area heals. Some people may also notice light or dark spots on the skin where treatment was done.
Less common risks include:
- Mild scarring
- Temporary or permanent hair loss at the site
- Rare chance of infection (keep the area clean!)
When It’s Not Recommended:
- Cryotherapy may not be suitable for people with
- Poor Circulation
- Conditions triggered by cold (ex: Reynaud’s or cold urticaria)
- A lesions that hasn’t been properly diagnosed
Your doctor will assess whether this treatment is right for you before proceeding.
What Does OHIP Cover?
Good News! Some cryotherapy treatments are covered by OHIP.
OHIP-Covered Conditions:
- Genital Warts
- Plantar Warts
- Actinic Keratosis
- Skin Tags
- Seborrheic Keratosis
- Common Warts (non-plantar)
- Cosmetic concerns
If your condition is not covered, we will provide you with cost details before proceeding.
Is Cryotherapy Right for You?
Cryotherapy may be right for you if:
- You have a benign skin lesion that’s causing discomfort or cosmetic concern
- You’re looking for a fast, low-risk treatment option
- You have an OHIP-covered condition
You need Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is now available at Grace Health Centre!
Speak to your doctor during your next visit!
*Disclaimer: The information in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Should you be struggling with any health challenges and would like to seek professional help, please talk to your family physician.
Reference:
- Cleveland Clinic. (2025, June 30). Cryotherapy: Uses, procedure, risks & benefits. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21099-cryotherapy
- Cryotherapy: Uses, cautions, and aftercare – dermnet. DermNet®. (2024, July 7). https://dermnetnz.org/topics/cryotherapy
- Prohaska J, Jan AH. Cryotherapy in Dermatology. [Updated 2023 Sep 15]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482319/
