Common warts are caused by viruses that live on the surface of the skin. Since warts can be stubborn to treat, dermatologists employ liquid nitrogen, lasers, topicals or a combination of all three.

Liquid nitrogen treatments are usually conducted about every two weeks until the wart is gone. This treatment freezes the virus, which causes a temporary scab that eventually falls off.

For stubborn warts, our office is one of the few practices in Los Angeles to routinely employ the Pulsed Dye Laser. This laser has been the subject of numerous research articles that reveal its effectiveness. It works by heating up the warts for an exceptionally brief period of time–far less than one second. After such laser exposure, the warts become crusty and eventually fall off. In order to maximize success, several treatments are necessary, usually paced around four weeks apart.