The Egyptians used cold to treat injuries and inflammation as early as 2,500 BC. In 1967, Setrag Zacarian introduced a handheld self-pressurized device, which after some modifications became the first commercially available handheld cryosurgical device. Cryotherapy is a controlled and targeted destruction of diseased tissue by application of a cold substance. It is used for the treatment of diverse benign lesions and well circumscribed premalignant and malignant tumors. In the present age, despite the advent of several ablative procedures like radiofrequency or laser therapy, cryosurgery continues to occupy a very important position in the therapeutic armamentarium of a dermatologist. It is a very safe, inexpensive, reproducible, repeatable and simple office procedure. It requires short preparation time, is a sutureless procedure with minimal risk of infection and no anesthesia is usually required. It can be performed at any age including elderly patients with pacemakers in whom electrocautery is contraindicated, those on anticoagulants, patients allergic to anesthetic agents, patients with transmissible conditions such as HIV and hepatitis, during pregnancy and over most of the body sites. It provides high healing rates even in difficult areas with excellent cosmetic results if performed appropriately. In view of all these advantages, it is regarded as a treatment of choice by many dermatologists for various benign and malignant dermatoses.