Overview
About warts
Warts are small, rough growths caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are completely benign but often persistent — many people find them frustrating to treat with shop-bought remedies, and they can spread to other parts of the body if left alone.
Common types include common warts, plantar warts (verrucae), flat warts and filiform warts. They most often appear on the hands, fingers, feet and around the nails, but can develop almost anywhere on the body.
Causes
Why warts appear
HPV enters the skin through tiny cuts or breaks, where it triggers rapid cell growth that forms the wart. Transmission usually happens through direct contact — touching another wart, sharing personal items like towels, or walking barefoot in damp public spaces such as changing rooms and swimming pools.
Most warts are harmless and some resolve on their own, but persistent or spreading warts respond particularly well to cryotherapy.
Cryotherapy treats the wart at its source — the freeze damages only the abnormal tissue, leaving healthy skin around it untouched.
The treatment
How cryotherapy works
Cryotherapy uses a controlled blast of ultra-cold gas to freeze the wart at its core. The freeze damages the abnormal tissue and the small blood vessels feeding it, prompting the wart to die back.
Over the next two to four weeks, the treated area scabs over and lifts away naturally, revealing healthy skin beneath. Stubborn or larger warts may need a second or third session, spaced two to three weeks apart.
Your visit
What to expect
During treatment
You will feel a brief stinging or pinching sensation as the freeze is applied. Each wart is treated in five to thirty seconds. No anaesthetic is required and you can drive yourself home immediately after.
In the days that follow
The treated area may look pink for a few days and a small blister can form — both fade naturally. Keep the area clean and dry, avoid picking, and apply sun protection if the area is exposed.
Over the next few weeks
The wart will gradually scab and lift away over two to four weeks. We provide written aftercare guidance and a follow-up review where helpful.
Common questions
Frequently asked
How many sessions will I need to clear my wart?
Many warts respond fully after a single session, especially smaller ones on the hands. Larger or older warts often need a second or third treatment, spaced two to three weeks apart, to clear completely.
Is wart removal suitable for children?
Yes — cryotherapy is suitable for older children and teenagers. We assess each case individually and only proceed if it is the most appropriate option. A parent or guardian must accompany under-16s.
Can cryotherapy treat warts on the face?
Yes, with extra care. Facial warts are treated using a gentler, more controlled freeze to minimise pinkness and protect the delicate surrounding skin.
Will the wart leave a scar?
Scarring is rare with cryotherapy. The treated area may look pink for a week or two and a small blister can form, both of which fade as the skin heals.
What if my wart grows back?
Persistent or recurring warts sometimes need an additional session. We will discuss expected timelines at your consultation and offer practical guidance to reduce the chance of recurrence.
