Warts are more than just a cosmetic concern—they’re caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and they are highly contagious. A wart may spread to other areas of the body or other people if left untreated. At the Chiswick Clinic in West London, wart removal is performed with medical precision and care to ensure early, effective treatment for all types of warts.
Dr. Bela, the clinic’s dermatologist, has extensive experience in the treatment of warts and verrucas. He frequently reminds patients that the earlier a wart is treated, the easier it is to remove. Delaying treatment may lead to the wart growing larger, becoming more difficult to treat, and increasing the risk of spreading the wart virus to others through direct contact.
Wart and verruca treatment at the Chiswick Clinic is always led by an experienced dermatologist. Dr. Bela uses his clinical knowledge and hands-on experience to identify the right treatment method for each patient, considering the wart’s type, size, location, and duration.
The longer a wart is left untreated, the more stubborn it becomes. A wart can grow in size and number and may require multiple treatment sessions for complete removal. Early treatment may prevent spread, reduce complications, and allow for quicker recovery. Warts are caused by a virus, and treating them early helps stop it from spreading to other parts of your body.
Warts are caused by HPV, a virus that enters through small cuts or abrasions. Shared environments such as public transport, swimming pools, and gyms are common places for transmission. Dr. Bela recommends not touching the face in public areas, and sanitising hands regularly. This helps reduce the risk of introducing the virus into facial skin, where flat warts or a wart on your face may begin to form.
Some patients try topical treatments or salicylic acid-based creams at home to remove warts. These products can be tedious, unreliable, and sometimes counterproductive. They often need to be applied directly to the wart every day for weeks. Worse still, these products may irritate the skin around the wart. Dr. Bela often treats patients who arrive at the clinic with the virus still present and with irritated, inflamed skin due to overuse of harsh home remedies. Painful or itchy irritative dermatitis may develop, making wart treatment more uncomfortable. Without treatment by a professional, these issues can delay recovery.
For common warts and plantar warts, the most effective treatment at the clinic is cryotherapy. This involves using liquid nitrogen to freeze the wart. Cryotherapy is a quick treatment that targets the wart tissue and sometimes causes a blister to form, eventually lifting the dead skin and wart away. Cryotherapy is particularly effective for stubborn wart types found on the feet, hands, and other non-sensitive areas.
Facial warts, including flat warts, require precision. Dr. Bela uses electrosurgery under local anaesthesia to cauterise the wart. This removal technique recommended for delicate areas avoids scarring and ensures minimal downtime. Most facial treatments result in a small scab that falls off naturally, leaving healthy skin beneath.
A wart left untreated may:
Dr. Bela has treated many patients needing three to five sessions of cryotherapy due to untreated or persistent warts. Treating warts early reduces the need for repeated visits.
Each patient receives a personalised treatment plan based on:
The right treatment may include cryotherapy, electrosurgery, or another treatment tailored to the individual’s skin.
Over the years, Dr. Bela has identified multiple melanomas on aesthetic patients—often in areas they hadn’t noticed themselves. In one notable case, during a Botox consultation, he spotted a small but suspicious lesion on a patient’s forehead. When reviewing previous treatment photos, it became clear that the melanoma had gradually developed over time, becoming increasingly visible across sessions. Despite its small size, the lesion was already an early invasive melanoma—but was thankfully detected in time. This case is just one of several examples highlighting how melanoma can remain hidden in plain sight. For this reason, Dr. Bela now offers a discounted mole check for all existing aesthetic patients, making it easier to combine cosmetic care with life-saving early detection.
All wart treatments are performed by Dr. Bela, a dermatologist with advanced training in minor dermatologic surgery and the treatment of viral skin conditions. He combines clinical precision with an understanding of the different treatment options for wart or verruca removal, ensuring safe and effective outcomes.
Only certain creams may be used on the face. Most are too harsh for facial skin and may cause a scar. Always seek professional advice before applying anything to a wart on your face.
Cryotherapy can feel like a sharp, cold sting. A blister may form as part of the healing process. The discomfort is usually brief.
After treatment, the wart tissue darkens and falls off within 7 to 14 days. If needed, another treatment may be scheduled.
Yes, warts are contagious. Warts can grow and spread via direct contact or shared surfaces like showers or towels.
Most warts treated completely do not return. However, the virus can remain dormant in the skin, so recurrence is possible.
The best wart removal method depends on the type of wart, its location, and how long it has been present. Dr. Bela will assess the wart just by looking and may recommend cryotherapy or another effective treatment option.
Call or message the Chiswick Clinic today for guidance on wart or verruca treatment. Early removal helps prevent spread and discomfort and improves long-term skin health.
