[Health Column] Flat Warts: Essential Guide to Treating Them Without Recurrence or Scarring

 

Hello, this is Director Sibo Kyung of Anyu Clinic.

flat warts It is a skin disease that is easy to dismiss as ‘it will go away on its own someday…’, but

If left untreated, it can spread to wider areas such as the face, neck, and arms. This requires a lot of management.

 

especially It's easy to mistake it for acne or blemishes. There are many cases where the timing for treatment is missed.

Why flat warts spread, how to treat them, and what management is safest. Let me explain it to you in an easy way.

 

 

Why do flat warts appear and what problems can they cause?

✔ Flat warts are It is caused by HPV infection and can spread easily when stimulated.

 

Flat warts are human papillomavirus (HPV) is caused by,

On the surface of the skin Multiple small, flat warts It is characterized by appearing as .

In the beginning Misunderstood as acne or blemishes It is easy for treatment to be delayed!

 

(Flat warts can spread to hundreds of areas on the face)

 

🔸 Main causes & aggravating factors

• Skin irritation such as shaving or waxing → Spread of warts through microscopic damage

• Touch/scratch with your hand → Spread to surrounding areas through 'autoinoculation'

• weakened immunity → Increased likelihood of onset and worsening

• Use of unsanitary tools → Spread through contact with hands and tools

• Squeezing a pimple, mistaking it for a pimple → Stimulation causes lesions to increase

 

🔸 Problems that appear when the condition worsens

• aesthetic issues : Causes complex in prominent areas such as the face, forehead, and cheeks

• diffusion : During shaving and skin care, the number can increase by hundreds.

• Chronic : If left untreated, it can last for months to years

• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation : Skin may become darkened after inflammation or treatment

 

 

Flat warts, do they really need strong treatment?

✔  Strong stimulation can actually be an aggravating factor.

 

Many people Flat wart treatment = strong cryotherapy I think so.

but Flat warts are a condition that can spread further when stimulated. Because of this,

Strong treatment is not the answer in all cases.

 

🔸 Treatment method selection criteria

✔️ immunomodulatory therapy

• Topical agents such as imiquimod and dipirosone

• Eliminate viruses by activating skin immunity

• Suitable for the face area due to low irritation

✔️ Laser treatment (Er:YAG, CO₂)

• Precise removal of only the necessary lesions

• step, Risk of pigmentation and scarring when using excessive energy

• The precision of the caster is very important

✔️ Cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen)

• A simple and commonly used method

• however Flat warts are sensitive to stimulation and can become worse.

• More suitable for arms and back of hands than face

✔️ Oral medication (retinoids, etc.)

• Keratin differentiation regulation

• When the lesion is large or numerous, concurrent treatment is effective.

 

 

How do I start treatment without surgery?

✔ An accurate diagnosis comes first.

 

Flat warts are Number, location, duration, skin type, immune status Treatment strategies vary depending on the cause.

Therefore, you must check the following before treatment:

• Is it acne? Is it a pigmentation disorder? Is it a flat wart?

• Is it due to immunosuppression?

• Is it face-centered, body-centered, or local?

 

Repeated strong treatment without an accurate diagnosis Diffusion and pigmentation This can happen.

 

What is the key to treating flat warts?

✔ Minimize irritation + be consistent!

Rather than a quick and strong removal method,

It is effective to reduce it gradually while protecting the skin.

 

🔸 Core Principles

• Overstimulation = Increased risk of spread

• Consistent immunomodulatory therapy = reduced relapse

• Life management essential : Avoid touching, be careful of micro-cuts when shaving

• Select a location where 'precision removal' is possible when laser is needed

 

Especially the face Thin and sensitive areas like “How precisely is the removal done?” has a great influence on the outcome.

 

 

🧩 FAQ

Q1. Does laser treatment for flat warts hurt a lot?

A1. There are individual differences, but if you apply enough anesthetic cream, it will generally be A little tingly It feels like.

 

Q2. Is it necessary to use regeneration tape after flat wart laser treatment?

A2. Flat warts are not removed deeply, so most of them Apply only the regeneration cream while the scab is still on You can do it.

 

Q3. Can flat warts recur after removal?

A3. It is possible. Flat warts viral diseases Therefore, it can reoccur in situations where immunity is low.

 

Q4. Can I pass flat warts to my family?

A4. Not all infections are transmitted through normal everyday contact (such as sharing towels).

Occurs when skin immunity is low I can do it.

 

Q5. Can I wash my face and apply makeup immediately after removing flat warts?

A5. You can apply regenerating cream and light makeup.

step, Gently cleanse to prevent scabs from falling off You need to wash your face.

 

 

conclusion

Flat warts are Treatment direction varies depending on the number, area, and skin type. ,
Accurate diagnosis → Minimize irritation → Consistent management is the most important disease.

 

Especially the face area

• Avoid excessive stimulation

• It is important to choose a medical professional who can precisely remove only the lesion. It's the key to improving without scarring.

 

If you feel that your daily discomfort has increased or that the lesion is growing rapidly,

Get professional advice A treatment plan that's right for me Try setting it up.
✨ Small differences in care can make a big difference in the speed of skin recovery.

 

 

Anyu Clinic

Director Sibo Kyung

Graduated from Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine

Dongsan Medical Center Intern

Regular member of the Korean Society of Anti-Aging Chemistry

Full member of the Korean Society of Aesthetic Laser Surgery

Full member of the Korean Society for Obesity

Tentec Tensera, Tensera Lifting Key Doctor

BTL Vanquish Key Doctor

15 years of experience in lifting, pigmentation, and skin disease treatment

Current Representative Director of Anew Clinic

 

 

 

👉🏻 What if you're worried about the flat warts you just read about?

 

 

This column is based on Cutaneous Warts Clinical Guideline (PMC, 2022), Cochrane Review (Topical treatments for cutaneous warts), Written with reference to the British Association of Dermatologists: Guidelines for the management of cutaneous warts.