Can laser treatment completely remove warts?

Mar 24, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I am 40 years old and have warts on my hands. I would like to have them removed with laser treatment. I would like to know whether laser treatment can completely remove warts.

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Lu

In general, laser removal of warts can completely eliminate them, although results may vary from person to person, and there may be a certain recurrence rate. Laser wart removal utilizes the photothermal effect of the laser to directly target the wart tissue, causing it to vaporize or carbonize instantly, thereby removing the wart. This method is highly effective for most warts, especially superficial ones.

For common warts such as common warts (verruca vulgaris) and flat warts, if the warts are small in size, limited in number, and the viral infection is localized, laser treatment can often effectively remove the warts. However, if the warts are large, numerous, or deeply embedded in the skin, multiple laser treatments may be necessary for complete removal. Individual factors such as a person's immune status and skin regeneration capacity can also influence treatment outcomes. Some individuals may require multiple treatment sessions to fully eliminate the warts.

Postoperative care and follow-up examinations are also important after laser wart removal. Patients should follow their physician's instructions for proper wound care, such as keeping the treated area clean and dry to prevent infection. Additionally, regular follow-up visits to the hospital are necessary to ensure the warts have not recurred. If no recurrence is observed within one year, the wart removal can generally be considered complete.