Laser Warts

Laser Wart Removal What are warts?

Warts are often non-cancerous skin growths caused by infection of human papilloma virus (HPV)  in the top layer of the skin, but they are contagious. Certain high risk types eg: 16,18 may even cause malignancy in genital area.Warts can be distinguished from callus as they tend to interrupt natural skin lines and have small dark dots representing thrombosed capillaries. Warts are usually skin-colored papules and can evolve into larger dome-shaped, discolored, thickened growths. They may be painful or rough to the touch, and they can be dark, flat, polypoid or smooth. Warts can grow anywhere on the body including eyelids, genitalia, hands and feet. There are several different kinds of warts including common warts, flat warts and plantar warts on feet.

How does laser wart work

The laser coagulates vessels within the wart, and separates them from healthy vessels, without creating an open wound. Combining the heat of the laser treatment with the deprivation of blood flow causes the wart to dry up. We also recommend applying a salicylic acid gel, or prescription-strength topical antiviral cream to help speed up the drying process.

How long does treatment last

A typical laser treatment session lasts from 15 to 30 minutes depending on the extend of the disease eg: the number and the size of the lesions you are having treated.

Where can be treated

Treatment location can include fingers, around nails, body  and feet.

How Effective is the laser warts

Laser Wart is a safe and effective option for treatment of warts. A study in Korea used Cutera’s Long-Pulsed Nd:YAG Laser in treatment of  Warts: Reported on a Series of 369 Cases in 2009.

The clearance rate was 96% (336 of the 348 treated warts were eradicated). The clearance rate of verruca vulgaris after the first treatment was very high (72.6%), whereas the clearance rate of deep palmopantar warts after the first treatment was low (44.1%). During a median follow-up period of 2.24 months (range, 2-10 months), 11 relapses were seen (recurrence rate, 3.27%).

Does it hurt

Either local anesthesia such as xylocaine injection or topical analgesics can be used.

What to do and expect Before, during and After TreatmentPre Treatment

·         Avoid excessive sun exposure.

·         Avoid aspirin, vitamin E, St John’s wort, turmeric and Fish oil which increases chance of bleeding or bruising

·         Skin should be clean, product free and debrided if necessary for your treatment.

 During Treatment

·         Most laser treatments for warts take between 5 and 15 minutes.

·         You will feel a warm pulse on your skin.. Immediately after laser exposure, the treated area turns a bit grayish and swells slightly. Over the next several days up to the area will heal and skin texture will start to normalize.

·         Inform doctor if you experience any discomfort.

 After Treatment

1.      Immediate cooling of the treated area will help with any discomfort.

2.      You may apply an ointment of your choice. You may also use a nonstick dressing if desired for comfort.

3.      It is important to avoid rubbing, wearing tight shoes. Open shoes or orthopedic shoes can help the tissue to breathe and increase functionality of ambulation.

4.      Warts usually have a black or crusty appearance within 24 hours after treatment, and they usually slough off in 1-4 weeks.

5.      Deep tissue injury and prolonged wound healing may occur.

6.      Treat any blisters as an open wound, and apply an antibiotic ointment such as mupirocin.

7.   More than one treatment may be necessary

8.   Multiple treatments should be scheduled one month apart