All You Need to Know About Age Wart (Seborrhoeic Keratosis) Removal Methods

Tired of stubborn warts that just won’t go away, no matter what you try?

There are a variety of wart removal methods available, ranging from over-the-counter solutions to professional treatments performed by cosmetic clinics. In this blog, we’ll explore the most common options to help you understand them. Which method may be suitable depends on your individual circumstances and is best determined through an assessment with a qualified practitioner. Individual results vary from person to person.

What Are Warts and Why Do They Form?

What Are Age Warts?

Age warts, medically called seborrheic keratoses, are very common, non-cancerous skin growths that usually appear as people get older.

They often look like brown, black, or light tan spots with a slightly raised, waxy, or “stuck-on” appearance. They can show up anywhere on the body but are most common on the chest, back, face, or neck.

They’re harmless and not contagious, though they can sometimes itch or become irritated. People often confuse them with moles or skin cancer, but they’re benign. If there’s any doubt, a doctor can easily check them.

Types of Warts

There aren’t strict “types” in a medical classification sense, but seborrheic keratoses (age warts) can appear in several common forms based on how they look:

1. Flat (macular) type

• Thin and slightly pigmented
• Early stage lesions
• Often light brown and smooth

2. Raised/waxy type

• Most typical form
• Looks like it’s “stuck onto” the skin
• Can be rough, waxy, or velvety

3. Warty (verrucous) type

• Thick, rough, and bumpy surface
• Resembles a true wart
• Darker in color

4. Stucco keratoses

• Small, white or gray bumps
• Common on lower legs and ankles
• Dry, crumbly surface

5. Dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN)

• Small, dark bumps
• Common in people with darker skin tones
• Usually appear on the face and neck

6. Pedunculated type

• Attached by a small stalk (like a skin tag)
• Can hang slightly off the skin

Even though these look different, they’re all benign. If a growth changes rapidly, bleeds, or looks unusual, it’s worth getting it checked to rule out other conditions.

Why Do Warts Form?

Age warts (seborrheic keratoses) form mainly due to natural skin aging and genetic factors, though the exact cause isn’t fully understood.

Here are the key reasons:

1. Aging of the skin

• As skin cells mature, they can start to grow abnormally and cluster on the surface
• This leads to the thickened, “stuck-on” appearance

2. Genetics (family history)

• They often run in families
• If your parents had them, you’re more likely to develop them

3. Sun exposure (possible trigger)

• They tend to appear more on sun-exposed areas like the face, chest, and back
• UV light may contribute, but it’s not the main cause

4. Skin cell overgrowth

• A buildup of keratin (a skin protein) causes the raised, waxy texture

5. Age-related changes in skin biology

• The skin’s natural turnover and repair processes slow down and become less regulated over time

They’re not caused by viruses (unlike common warts), and they’re not contagious.

If many suddenly appear at once (rare), it’s worth seeing a doctor, as that can sometimes signal an underlying issue.

While some warts disappear on their own, many persist, which is why some people consider wart removal methods, whether for comfort or cosmetic reasons.

Professional Age Wart Removal Methods

Treatment for age warts (seborrheic keratoses) is usually only needed if they bother you (cosmetic reasons, irritation, or itching), since they’re harmless.

Here are the main options:

1. Laser treatment

• Ablative lasers (such as CO2 and Erbium YAG) remove the lesion layer by layer
• Often used for facial and other visible areas where precision matters; like all methods it still carries risks, including temporary pigment change and, rarely, scarring. This is the method used at MedAesthetics — described below

2. Electrocautery (burning)

• Uses electric current to destroy the wart
• Helps control bleeding as well

3. Topical treatments (selected cases)

• Some prescription topical solutions may help reduce the lesion; because these are prescription-only, their suitability is determined by a practitioner at consultation
• Less commonly used than procedures

4. Minor excision

• May be considered if the diagnosis is uncertain or the lesion is large

5. Cryotherapy (freezing)

• Liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the growth
• It falls off after a few days or weeks
• Quick and commonly used method in GP clinics but often causes permanent hypopigmentation (loss of skin pigment) or hyperpigmentation in the treated area.

6. Curettage (scraping)

• The lesion is gently scraped off the skin
• Often combined with local anesthesia
• May be paired with cautery (heat)
• High potential for recurrence if viral particles are missed, often requires local anaesthetic, results in a painful recovery and has a high risk of scarring

Important notes:

• Avoid picking or cutting them yourself (risk of infection/scarring)
• Over-the-counter wart treatments usually don’t work well for age warts
• Always confirm diagnosis if a spot looks unusual (to rule out skin cancer)
• At MedAesthetics, laser wart removal has been used for a long time and is our preferred option

How We Do Wart Removal at MedAesthetics

At MedAesthetics, age wart (seborrhoeic keratosis) removal is performed using ablative laser — CO2 and Erbium YAG. The laser’s energy is absorbed by the lesion, which is then removed layer by layer. Before any treatment, the area is examined to confirm the growth is suitable for laser removal; if a lesion looks unusual, further assessment may be recommended before proceeding.

A topical numbing cream or local anaesthetic is applied first, and the procedure itself usually takes around 15 minutes. A raised lesion can often be treated in a single session, while flatter lesions may need 2 to 4 sessions. A small scab typically forms afterwards and takes around 5 to 7 days to heal.

Aftercare matters. It is generally advised to avoid strenuous exercise and swimming for 24 to 48 hours, keep the area clean, apply any prescribed ointment, and protect the area from sun exposure while it heals.

As with any laser procedure, there are risks. These can include infection during healing, temporary changes in skin pigmentation, redness and swelling, and, less commonly, scarring if aftercare is not followed. Because the risk of pigment change is higher in deeper skin tones, suitability and laser settings are assessed individually. Outcomes vary from person to person, and warts or similar growths can still recur or develop elsewhere over time.

How the Right Approach Is Decided

There is no single “best” method that suits everyone. The most appropriate approach depends on where the growth is, your skin type, how many lesions you have, and what the clinical assessment finds, so these factors are weighed during an individual consultation rather than decided in advance.

A few general principles are useful to understand:

• Location: On the face, head and neck, precision matters, which is one reason laser is commonly chosen for visible areas.
• Number of lesions: Where there are several growths, how many sessions are realistic and whether more than one can be treated in a session are discussed at assessment.
• Skin type: In deeper skin tones the risk of temporary pigment change is higher, so careful assessment, conservative settings and sometimes a test patch are important.
• Lesion type: Raised and flatter lesions can respond differently and may need different numbers of sessions.

At MedAesthetics the method used is laser (CO2 and Erbium YAG). Where another approach would be more appropriate for your situation, that will be discussed honestly at your consultation.

Considering Wart Removal?

Warts can be stubborn, and there are a range of wart removal methods available, from at-home remedies to clinical procedures. It’s also worth knowing that warts and similar skin growths can recur or new ones can develop over time, so no method can guarantee a permanent result. Whether you’re dealing with a single spot or multiple growths, understanding your options is a useful first step.

Every treatment carries some risk, and recovery, downtime and outcomes vary from person to person. Removing a skin lesion is a considered decision that should follow an individual assessment. If you’re unsure where to start, the team at Medaesthetics can discuss your options, the associated risks and recovery, and help you decide on an approach suited to your individual circumstances.

Further Reading

What Causes Skin Tags and How Should You Remove Them?

Understanding Xanthelasma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Different Types of Dermatological Moles

Treatment Options for Removing Benign Dermatological Moles & Skin Tags