What are warts?
Warts are benign (noncancerous) growths that can develop on your skin and mucosa (like inside your mouth). The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes warts. There are over 100 subtypes (strains) of HPV, but only a few types can cause warts on certain parts of your body.
Warts are generally harmless, but they can be bothersome and sometimes painful.
What should I do prior to treatment?
Before treatment can begin, a laser technician will see you in a personalized and private consultation to make sure this treatment is right for you. Consultations may be completed in advance or, sometimes, on the same day as the first treatment at the discretion of your laser technician.
- Laser treatments should be avoided if you are pregnant, have a history of seizures, healing problems or keloid formation, severe dermatitis or eczema (within the treatment area), active infections or open wounds in treated area, have a significant systemic illness, have a history of skin cancer or suspicious lesions, are hypersensitive to sunlight, take anticoagulants or medication that alters wound healing, have received gold therapy, or are experiencing cold sores / herpes outbreaks.
- Laser treatments are safe for clients on oral contraceptives (birth control pill) or who are using hormone eluting IUD’s.
Does it hurt?
Without any comfort measures, laser wart treatment feels similar to a small snapping rubber band.
Most clients do not require an anesthetic cream; however, topical freezing cream (such as Emla) can be purchased at a pharmacy and applied before the appointment to make treatment more comfortable. Be aware that using anesthetic cream is only safe on small areas and in small quantities.
Pre-cooling can be done for sensitive skin, and we typically provide patient directed Zimmer air cooling and / or chilled gel for treated areas immediately after the laser pulses, for increased patient comfort. With these measures laser wart treatment is very comfortable.
What can I expect following my treatment?
Warts usually have a black or crusty appearance within 24-72 hours after treatment
– Cold gel packs or cool compresses may be applied post-treatment
– May apply ointment of choice and non-stick dressing for comfort
– If a blister develops, treat as a wound
– Treated tissue usually sloughs within 1-4 weeks
– Deep tissue injury and prolonged wound healing may occur in some cases
– More then 1 treatment may be necessary (4-6 weeks apart), depending on the location and size of the wart(s)
Choosing a Clinic for Laser Wart Treatments:
When selecting a provider for laser treatments, give your decision the same level of care and scrutiny that you would for a medical procedure. Even though it is non-surgical, laser wart removal is still a complex procedure that requires specific training, knowledge and skill to ensure safe treatment and effective results. You’ll want to choose a provider with extensive experience and access to a well-trained physician for any potential questions or complications. Typically, a plastic surgeon or dermatologist practice has the requisite training and experience for the best outcomes. A reputable and experienced Laser provider who has access to other skin treatments will know what Lasers can do for your skin and what they can’t. Each person is unique; therefore, at your initial consultation, your provider should address your concerns in a comprehensive, integrative manner.
Note that Azure Advanced Aesthetics is a physician owned and directed facility; therefore, all of our laser equipment is Health Canada approved, CSA approved, and registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia to ensure the utmost in patient safety.
