Warts are one of the more stubborn skin concerns we treat, largely because they’re caused by a virus — HPV — that can extend beyond what’s visible on the skin’s surface. That's also why patients are often surprised to learn that more than one treatment session is typically part of the plan.
Why Repeat Treatment Is Common
Per the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), most warts are harmless and many go away on their own, but without treatment this can take anywhere from a few months to years. Treatment helps clear warts more quickly and reduces the risk of spreading the virus to other areas or other people. Common approaches like cryosurgery are often repeated every two to four weeks until the wart clears.
Treatment Approaches
Depending on the type, size, and location of the wart, the AAD notes that dermatologists may use salicylic acid, cryosurgery (freezing), cantharidin, electrosurgery, excision, laser therapy, or immune-based approaches that help the body recognize and fight the virus more effectively. The right method depends on clinical evaluation rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol.
What a Visit Looks Like
Treatment begins with confirming the diagnosis — dermatologists can usually identify a wart by sight, though a skin biopsy may be used if a growth is changing rapidly, looks like an open sore, or doesn’t respond to treatment. From there, the wart type and location guide the chosen approach.
When to See a Dermatologist
The AAD recommends seeing a board-certified dermatologist for warts on the face or genital area, a wart that’s changing, painful, itching, or bleeding, numerous warts, uncertainty about the diagnosis, a wart that hasn’t responded to at-home treatment, or if you have a weakened immune system or diabetes.
Learn more about wart removal at Journelle Skin, or schedule a visit to have a persistent wart evaluated.