Flat Warts: How They Spread and How They Are Removed

If small, flat bumps about the size of a grain of millet appeared one or two at a time on your face or neck and have suddenly multiplied, you may want to consider flat warts. To put the conclusion first: flat warts spread quickly and can be passed on to other people, so it is better to remove them early, once you notice them. Dr. Kim Seung-yeon of Saeron Korean Medicine Hospital has organized, in the order of questions she hears most often, the causes and contagiousness of flat warts, removal methods, and aftercare and prevention.

What Kind of Condition Are Flat Warts?

Flat warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), and they develop when this virus infects the epidermis of the skin. They are usually 2 to 4 mm in size, slightly raised above the skin, and close to skin color or light brown. They show up more clearly under bright light, and several may appear in a group and merge, sometimes looking like an irregularly shaped plaque.

Flat warts often appear on the face, neck, chest, back and abdomen. In many cases they start on the face and neck and, if not removed in time, gradually spread toward the chest, back and abdomen. Because they can look similar to acne, milia, syringomas and sebaceous hyperplasia, a medical examination is needed to tell them apart.

Three Reasons It Is Better to Remove Them Early

One, they take a long time to go away on their own. There are reports that flat warts took anywhere from a few months to as long as 20 years to disappear naturally. The problem is that the affected area often spreads while you wait. It is not rare for what started as just a few to multiply at some point to the extent that they become hard to manage, so we recommend starting removal as soon as you find them.

Two, they multiply readily. Flat warts can increase from dozens to hundreds within a short period. When immunity is lowered by illness or pregnancy, they multiply even faster and more widely.

Three, they can spread to other people. Flat warts can be transmitted through skin to skin contact or by sharing everyday items such as towels. Because of this contagiousness, if someone in your family has flat warts, using separate towels is the first step to preventing transmission.

How Is Flat Wart Removal Done?

A CO2 laser is used for removal. The process is relatively simple and takes about 10 to 30 minutes depending on the number of flat warts.

If there are too many to remove all at once, the remaining areas can be treated additionally. As many as possible are removed at the first visit, and at the touch-up stage even very tiny flat warts are found and cleared.

Are There Options Other Than Laser?

Taking herbal medicine that boosts immunity can be considered alongside it. Because flat warts multiply faster when immunity is weakened by illness or pregnancy, an approach that also looks after your overall physical condition is meaningful.

They Can Come Back Even After Removal

Even after flat warts are removed, they can recur if immunity weakens or if virus remaining in the skin becomes active again. That is why aftercare and everyday prevention need to go hand in hand.

Tips for DuoDERM Care After Removal

After flat warts are removed with a CO2 laser, the clinic applies a DuoDERM dressing. It is best to keep the DuoDERM on for 1 to 2 weeks, and to prevent pigmentation and scarring, leave it in place without changing it for at least the first 3 to 4 days. It is fine to wash your face and shower with it on. If a slight redness remains where the DuoDERM was removed, applying a regenerating cream helps recovery.

Daily Habits to Prevent Flat Warts

Do not scratch or rub. Avoid scratching with your hands, rubbing hard or scrubbing off dead skin as much as possible. Using scrubs on areas where the skin barrier has weakened can spread flat warts to other areas.

Use your own personal items. It is best not to share items that touch the skin directly, such as towels, razors and cosmetics, even within the family.

Key Points at a Glance

• Flat warts are caused by HPV infection and tend to spread while you wait, so removing them early is advantageous.
• They are removed with a CO2 laser, and if there are many, a touch-up clears the remaining ones.
• DuoDERM care after removal and using separate personal items are the basics for reducing recurrence and transmission.

Author : Dr. Kim Seung-yeon, Saeron Korean Medicine Hospital (Korean medicine doctor), Profile Last reviewed : 2026-10-14 This article contains general medical information. Individual diagnosis and treatment plans are decided through an in-person consultation.