Laser Surgery for Warts

Laser surgery uses an intense beam of light to burn and destroy the wart tissue. By using laser light that specifically targets the pigment within blood supply to the wart, typically causing a blood blister to form thus killing the virus. This procedure t is usually done in a medical clinic. It’s important to note that this is the newest generation in laser wart treatment using YAG 1064 nm laser machine. The YAG 1064nm laser has podiatry specific protocols just for warts. Health Canada and FDA approved for warts by using YAG 1064 nm laser. YAG 1064nm is a worldwide leader in laser technology. Using the heat sensor on hand piece to treat wart accurately and safely.

How long does the laser wart treatment take?

The laser wart treatment usually takes only a few minutes.

Is the laser wart treatment painful?

Most patients will have minimal discomfort. We typically ice the area during treatment. If pain is experienced, we may recommend using the pain reliever you typically use for headaches.

What to expect after surgery:

Most patients can simply walk in, to have the procedure done, and then walk right out. However, a blood blister may form around the treated wart after the first day and begin to slough off over the next few weeks so patients are advised to continue daily activities as tolerated based on their individual response to treatment. Your foot specialist will discuss aftercare. It is important to know that a comprehensive plan to prevent reoccurrence is critical to long term success and each patient will leave our clinic with those preventive measures for home care.

The wound will be painful for a few days after laser surgery. Recovery time depends on the location and number of warts removed. After laser surgery, call your foot specialist if you have:

Bleeding that lasts longer than 1 week
Fever
Extreme Pain
Red streaks extending from the area
Bad-smelling or yellowish discharge, which may mean an infection. Cleaning the wound area helps prevent infection

Who should not have laser wart treatment?

If you are pregnant or have skin cancer, you are not a candidate for this treatment.

Is this laser procedure guaranteed to cure my wart?

Unfortunately due to the nature of medicine, we cannot guarantee a cure for your wart. Thus, there is a chance it may not work due to factors such as severity, length of infection, reinfection, etc. However, it is typically effective for most patients. There are risks associated with all medical procedures. Though relatively rare, some of the potential complications from laser wart treatment include: pain, infection, blistering, soft tissue and nerve damage, scaring, wounds, burns, difficulty walking.

Is the procedure covered by my insurance?

This procedure may be covered by your Extended Health Insurance Plan. After your consultation, we can provide you with a pre-estimate request that you can submit to your insurance provider to determine eligibility. Patients with flexible spending account can often use these funds towards procedures such as the laser wart treatment. OHIP does not cover the cost of this procedure.

*You can book online for limited appointment times. Please call or email to book at other times.