Hyfrecation is a time-tested and highly effective procedure that swiftly removes unwanted skin lesions without the need for cutting or suturing. It offers a versatile and cost-effective treatment option, especially for genital lesions, compared to laser therapy. With a history spanning over 80 years, hyfrecation is a reliable and minimally invasive approach to lesion removal.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, ensuring your comfort throughout. Numbing cream or injection anesthetic is applied to the area to be treated, blocking pain signals. Once the skin is completely numb, the lesions are carefully removed, leaving behind smooth and clear skin with minimal scarring or downtime.
Clarewell Clinics, where we specialize in hyfrecation, guarantees clear results for almost 100% of patients. In most cases, one or two sessions are sufficient to remove the skin lesions. Complex cases may require additional visits, and your clinician will guide you on the number of sessions needed.
Post-procedure, a follow-up visit may be scheduled to assess the healing process and remove any remaining lesions if necessary. Hyfrecation is generally safe, with the most common side effects being soreness, bruising, bleeding, and infection, although these are rare. While long-term consequences such as changes in skin color and scarring are very uncommon, they can occur.
Conditions We Treat
Please note that the number of visits may vary in particularly complex cases and those getting treated for multiple conditions.
Pain Relief
We make use of two types of local anesthesia for your hyfrecation procedure to make the procedure as painless as possible: numbing creams and local anaesthetic injection. We will discuss which method of local anaesthetic is right for you. This may depend upon the type and spread of your lesions.
Numbing Cream
Numbing cream is a topical anesthetic used during hyfrecation procedures to alleviate discomfort and reduce pain.
Applied directly to the skin before the procedure, the cream works by temporarily numbing the surface area. It contains active ingredients that block nerve signals, preventing pain sensations from reaching the brain.
By Injection
During a hyfrecation procedure, an injection anesthetic is administered to provide deeper and more targeted anesthesia.
The anesthetic is injected directly into the area being treated, numbing the underlying tissues and nerves. This local anesthetic works by blocking pain signals at the site of injection, preventing sensations of pain from being transmitted to the brain.
Those with sensitive skin or a low pain tolerance may feel a slight discomfort during the administration of the local anaesthetic injection, but this discomfort should subside very quickly.
Eligibility
How do I know if I am eligible for Hyfrecation?
Hyfrecation is suitable for the removal of almost all genital skin conditions and lesions.
At times, we may come across lesions which are best treated in a hospital setting. If this is the case, we will advise you accordingly.
When is Hyfrecation recommended?
- When other treatment methods have not been successful.
- When other treatment methods have not been tolerated well.
- When other treatment methods cannot be used (e.g. in pregnancy)
- When immediate removal of skin conditions and/or lesions is desired.
- When minimal scarring and downtime is preferred.
Can I have Hyfrecation if I have received other treatment options before?
Yes, you can have hyfrecation if you have tried other treatment options before.
You can have hyfrecation again if you have had it before.
Are there any health conditions that might stop me from having Hyfrecation?
Those with uncontrolled arrhythmia, hypotension (less than 90/50 mm Hg), or uncontrolled hypertension, and those who have had a stroke within the last 6 months are advised against having hyfrecation.
Hyfrecation is not recommended if you have an implantable defibrillator or a pacemaker.
If you are on your period, you can still have hyfrecation treatment as long as the bleeding is not heavy and the lesions can be seen.
Can I still have Hyfrecation if I am pregnant?
Yes. Hyfrecation is a safe treatment option for pregnant patients.
The Process
If you are not looking to receive treatment on the same day, then we can offer you a consultation for diagnosis/second opinion and advice. You will be able to return at a later date for the procedure, if you deem it appropriate.
Pre Appointment Questionnaire
We provide a pre-appointment questionnaire for submitting lesion pictures. Confidentiality is maintained, and only clinicians evaluate them.
Receive a Quote
Afterward, you receive an email with diagnosis, hyfrecation quote, scheduling details, and available appointments. No obligation to book or proceed.
Consultation + Procedure
If you wish to proceed, we will be in a position to offer you the consultaiton & procedure in the same appointment.
Follow Up (optional)
Within 4 weeks, we will invite you back for a follow up to ensure the treatment is complete (and offer a touch up if needed).
General
What is Hyfrecation?
Hyfrecation is a minor surgical procedure that works by burning off unwanted skin lesions. Hyfrecation is powered by high frequency, low voltage electricity to remove unwanted tissue in a controlled and precise way. Hyfrecation is frequently used to remove skin lesions such as Genital warts, Skin tags, Molluscum contagiosum and other genital skin conditions like PPP, Vestibular Papillomatosis (VP), and Fordyce spots.
Hyfrecation is able to immediately clear these lesions without the need for cutting or suturing.
How is the Hyfrecation procedure performed?
High frequency, low voltage electricity passes through the tip of the hyfrecator to remove the unwanted lesions. A small needle is placed onto the lesion and uses electrical current to remove the unwanted tissue.
Once treated, there will be a small wound at the site of removal which will heal and become flatter in a few days to a few weeks based on how large the lesions are.
Do I need a patch test?
A patch test is recommended for treating Sebaceous hyperplasia and Fordyce spots.
The test involves treating a small, inconspicuous area of the genitals during the first visit, which is then reviewed 4-6 weeks later. If the results are satisfactory, patients can proceed with the full procedure.
How is Hyfrecation different from electrocautery and laser?
Hyfrecation and electrocautery are medical procedures that use electrical current to treat tissue. Hyfrecation uses a high-frequency current to disintegrate tissue, while electrocautery uses a low-frequency current to burn or cut tissue.
Hyfrecation is typically less invasive and causes less damage to the surrounding tissue than electrocautery. Additionally, hyfrecation is often used in dermatology, while electrocautery is more commonly used in surgery.
In contrast to hyfrecation and electrocautery, laser therapy uses a beam of focused light to destroy the targeted cells. Laser therapy can be used to treat a wider variety of skin conditions. However, laser therapy is often more expensive and may require several treatments to achieve the desired result.
You can learn more about the differences between Hyfrecation, Laser & Cryotherapy here.
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Before the appointment
How can I prepare for my Hyfrecation procedure?
We recommend that you do the following before your appointment:
- Have a shower on the day of your appointment to reduce the risk of infection.
- Have a meal in the morning of the procedure.
- Take 2 paracetamol tablets, 1 hour before your appointment time for pain relief.
- Trim pubic area so that the lesions can be easily seen (where appropriate). Do not shave.
We recommend that you drive or use public transportation to attend your appointment and to get home. Cycling is not recommended.
Will I need to take time off after my Hyfrecation procedure?
You should be able to return to your normal day after the procedure, as long as your job is not physically demanding.
Can I bring someone with me?
You can bring your partner, friend or family member to your appointment.
However, if you feel that you would rather not bring someone to the appointment, rest assured that our staff are here to support you and make you comfortable in any way possible. Clarewell Clinics is a safe space.
What travel arrangements should I make for the appointment?
You do not need to make any special arrangements for your procedure. However, if you would feel more comfortable, you may request a family member, friend, or partner to accompany you on the way home.
We recommend that you drive or use public transportation to attend your appointment and to get home. Cycling is not recommended.
During the appointment
How will the appointment work?
Once you have arrived, we will invite you in for the initial consultation.
During the consultation, we will discuss the procedure, go through the consent form, answer any questions or concerns, and perform an examination. Once you have been examined, we apply the local anaesthetic.
If you are suitable for the numbing cream, we will allow you to apply the cream in privacy. Once the numbing cream has activated (approximately within 30-45 minutes), we will confirm the total numbness of the skin and proceed with the hyfrecation treatment.
If you are suitable for an anaesthetic injection, you will be able to begin your procedure within a few seconds to a minute. In some cases, it may be suitable for you to have both the anaesthetic cream and the injection.
After the procedure, we will offer you aftercare advice and give you an aftercare pack with some items to help with the recovery.
Will the procedure hurt?
Your clinician will confirm the total numbness of skin before undertaking the procedure.
Please alert your clinician if you do feel pain or discomfort. You are able to have more local anaesthetic, and take a break if needed.
Can I listen to my music during the procedure?
Yes, absolutely you can. Please let us know at the time of your booking (or upon arrival) so that we are ready to accommodate your wishes.
After the appointment
What should I expect after my appointment?
You may experience a little soreness at the operated site. This is completely normal and standard painkillers can help with this. You are able to continue with your daily life as soon as you leave the clinic.
What do I do if I think I have a problem after the appointment?
We recommend all patients have a thorough read of the information above as it will help with key questions.
If you think that something is wrong, please request a follow up call by contacting our clinic.
How soon after my appointment can I have sex?
It is advised to abstain from sex and avoid masturbation until healing is complete (approx. 1-2 weeks). Having intercourse during the healing process can increase the risk of infection, scarring or bleeding.
Will I require a follow up appointment after my appointment?
You will be offered a follow-up appointment within 4-6 weeks after the procedure. This is to ensure that all the lesions have been treated and that you are happy with the procedure.
This will also give you a chance to ask any further questions that you may have.
Will I see the results straight away?
Your lesions will be cleared straight away, however, the skin will take time to heal. Your clinician will be able to explain this in more detail.
Will somebody be able to tell if I had anything done?
We will treat the lesions very carefully so that it will not be apparent to anyone that you had anything treated.
Don’t wait months.
Fees
Genital Dermatology Consultation £150
Same Day Hyfrecation From £400
Health Insurance
Find out if you can claim your visit
Page reviewed by Dr Manoj Malu and Magdalena Nowacka
Page written by Shannon Abraham
Last reviewed date 30 May 2023
Next review due: 30 May 2026
Whilst this content is written and reviewed by sexual health specialists, it is for general guidance only.
It is not intended to replace the advice of your clinician.
References & Further Reading
- BASHH: Guidelines: anogenital warts
- PubMed Central: Dermatologic and Cosmetic Procedures in Pregnancy
- DermNet: Electrosurgery
- Online Library: 2019 IUSTI‐Europe guideline for the management of anogenital warts
- Treatment with Hyfrecation and Cryotherapy | Anal Neoplasia Clinic, Research and Education Center