The Common Wart Has Plagued Mankind for Centuries
The common wart has been around for ages. Even today, it’s still unclear why some people deal with them constantly while others never get one. More than 2.6 million people in the U.S. struggle with warts each year, yet there are still no guaranteed cures or foolproof treatments.
What Warts Really Are
Verrucae is the medical name for warts. If you’ve ever had them, you know how annoying they can be. They usually show up on the hands and feet, but they can develop anywhere there’s skin. They’re caused by HPV, a virus with hundreds of different strains.
One place people don’t expect warts to show up is the face. Facial warts often affect younger patients and can be mistaken for acne. They’re small, flesh-colored or pink, and may appear in clusters, in a line, or scattered across the face. Because they’re viral, acne products don’t help.
Why Warts Are So Hard to Get Rid Of
Wherever they appear, most people want warts gone fast. It sounds simple, but warts can be stubborn. They often resist treatment and return even after they’ve been removed.
Common treatments include freezing (cryotherapy) and topical irritants like salicylic acid. Some patients opt for surgical removal, but cutting out a wart doesn’t guarantee the virus is gone. “Natural” or “alternative” remedies are popular, but there’s very little evidence they work or that they’re safe.
How Medical Lasers Treat Warts
Class IV medical lasers offer another option. At our office, we use pulsed dye and q-switched lasers, often together. At first, it may seem odd that a laser can treat a viral infection. The explanation is surprisingly simple.
Lasers target and destroy the blood vessels that feed the wart. They also heat the infected skin enough to disrupt the virus’s ability to replicate. Without a blood supply, the wart can’t survive. This makes laser therapy much more targeted and predictable than freezing or topical treatments.
What Treatment Feels Like
Despite what many assume, laser wart treatment isn’t very painful. The procedure is quick, usually just a few minutes. It’s safe for all skin types, and although results vary, most warts respond in one to three sessions.
Why More Offices Don’t Offer Laser Wart Removal
Lasers are expensive, and not every practice can justify the cost. They require extensive training to use safely and effectively. Many medical offices simply don’t have the equipment or experience to offer this treatment.
Why Celibre Medical Uses Lasers for Warts
At Celibre Medical, we specialize in laser medicine. We use lasers for a wide range of conditions, including stubborn warts that haven’t responded to other treatments. We’ve seen how well patients can do when they finally get the right approach.
If you’re frustrated with slow progress or repeated recurrence, laser treatment may be worth considering. Just be sure your provider has the training and experience needed to use these devices correctly.
