Looking for Wart Treatment in Victoria?
Cascadia Laser is pleased to offer Victoria’s first Laser Wart Clinic for the treatment of plantar warts and hand and finger warts. Laser treatment for warts is an extremely effective method of removing warts permanently, with approximately the same level of discomfort as a liquid nitrogen treatment. We often have success with warts that have been resistant to other treatments.
What is a Wart?
A wart is a growth of the skin due to infection with a virus. The virus is named HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) and only infects humans. There are over 100 different strains or types of HPV, many of which cause warts in different areas of the body.
About 7- 10% of the population has warts at any given time. Children and young adults are most susceptible, and warts are a little more common in women than men.
The virus can enter through breaks in the skin’s surface after direct contact with a wart or with recently shed viruses still alive in a warm, moist environment, such as a shower or beside a pool. The time between infection and wart development may be many months.
HPV has only been found in the two outermost layers of the skin, those that would comprise the “roof” of a typical friction blister. Because of the constant pressure of walking, plantar warts are often hard and thick and push against the underlying skin, causing discomfort if located in certain areas of the body.
Without treatment warts will resolve in about 50% of cases within a year – two-thirds after two years. However, warts that do not resolve frequently enlarge and spread becoming more difficult to treat. New warts are three times more common in those patients with existing warts.
Cost of Laser Wart Removal:
Foot warts have no charge (treatment is covered by the Medical Services Plan)
Hand warts are $39 + GST per session (unlimited number of warts)
- We do not treat genital warts or children aged 10 and under (too uncomfortable)
Please click on Request a Free Consultation below to begin the process of eradicating your warts permanently.
Why laser therapy for warts?
The advantage of laser therapy for warts in these cases is a more rapid resolution compared to liquid nitrogen or over-the-counter topical treatments. Warts that have failed to be cleared by liquid nitrogen can often be cured by laser therapy.
Is laser wart removal uncomfortable?
Laser therapy for wart removal is preceded by a short liquid nitrogen spray and this accounts for most of the discomfort. Liquid nitrogen is a freezing of the skin which serves to anesthetize the area to the heat of the laser. This is followed quickly by a mild heat sensation from the laser. Our laser technician Renee Burdon has a number of special techniques to minimize discomfort during the procedure and patients generally tolerate the procedure well.
What is the recovery time?
No bandage or ointment is applied after the procedure. Mild discomfort may be experienced the day of the procedure and sometimes the next day, to the treatment site. Normal activities can be pursued the day after the procedure.
Is a referral required for laser therapy?
Although physicians do refer to us for laser wart removal, you can simply call or email us for an appointment yourself.