The science bit

Effective. Responsive. Precise.

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The science behind our unique verruca treatment

With treatment times in seconds, Swift provides a precise, and easy way of treating skin lesions.

It uses electromagnetic waves to penetrate deep into the affected tissue to not just destroy it but also alert the immune system of the verruca virus, activating its self-healing response.

Graphic showing infected tissue of a verruca

Infected tissue can exist several millimetres below the skin and can be difficult to treat using traditional methods resulting in untreated tissue or further damage.

Graphic depicting Swift treatment being administered onto a verruca

Swift delivers a precise energy dose. Microwaves travel quickly into the tissue causing localised heating and cell destruction within a pre-determined depth

Graphic showing repaired tissue after treatment

In just minutes, the treatment is complete and the healing cascade begins immediately. Treated tissue is quickly replaced, repaired and regenerated.

At The Verruca Clinic, we will assess your general well-being and foot health before deciding on a treatment plan.

Your Treatment Plan at The Verruca Clinic

Week 1

Our podiatrist will apply 3-5 short treatments with Swift on each lesion. This quickly raises the temperature within the skin, without breaking the surface – meaning no blisters, no padding, and no scarring.

You will feel a very sharp sensation, similar to an injection, but unlike most treatments for verruca, pain felt during the treatment quickly subsides.

Week 4

Your second treatment for Swift will usually occur 4 weeks later.

Some patients will see black spots appear beneath the surface of the skin after the 1st treatment, but the size of the lesion may remain the same.

The Swift treatment works by reducing the depth, rather than the width. We will provide advice on what to expect, but patients report a similar sensation to their 1st treatment.

Week 8 / 12

Your third appointment maybe your last treatment appointment.

Sometimes a 4th treatment may be required. We will provide specific advice based on your individual condition.

Of the patients who will resolve, 93% will resolve after this final treatment.

Week 20

We will usually leave a gap of 12 weeks before we see you for a review.

This gives time for the body to heal and cycle through the immune response.

You should feel little to no pain from the verruca at this stage, and your normal skin should be returning where the verruca was.

Before and After Treatment

Photograph of foot verruca prior to treatment

Before Treatment

After 4 Weeks

(of first treatment)

After 6 Weeks

(2 weeks after second treatment)

Image of healthy foot after treatment completed

After 6 Months

(18 weeks after third treatment)

Does it hurt?

For the short duration of the treatment, it will be painful. However, we do have the ability to change our protocol according to how you are able to tolerate the treatment. We try to get as much microwave energy into the affected tissue at each appointment.

Studies have shown that the average lesion needs 3.5 treatments to resolve. The number of treatments you need will depend on how your body responds. Some verrucae resolve within three treatments but more may be needed, especially with large or multiple lesions or ones you had had for a number of years.

How safe are microwaves?

Microwaves have been in clinical use for over 30 years, and are used globally in the effective treatment of cancer.

Microwaves are a form of non-ionising radiation, which means that they can’t cause damage to the DNA of living things. The Swift microwave treatment supplies enough energy to agitate water molecules and cause friction and delivers less energy into the skin than most laser treatments.

Aside from the kitchen appliance, microwaves are used in a number of everyday applications. Standard WiFi uses microwaves, mobile phones, bluetooth, and cordless phones all use microwaves to send data over short distances. We interact with microwaves in more ways than we know, every day.