Flat warts in Incheon, what to do when flat bumps keep spreading on your face
Flat warts are small, flat warts caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Scratching or shaving moves the virus to nearby skin, so they spread in lines. They are easiest to clear when there are only a few. For people whose warts keep coming back, it also helps to look at how run-down the body is, not only to remove what is visible.
Flat warts at a glance
| Also called | Plane warts, verruca plana, facial warts |
|---|---|
| Cause | Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection |
| Appearance | Flat bumps 1 to 5 mm across, skin-coloured, light brown or light pink |
| Where | Forehead, cheeks, jawline, neck; also chest, belly, back, pelvis |
| Typical signs | Painless; spread in lines along scratches or shaving |
| When they increase | Fatigue, poor sleep, stress, after pregnancy and childbirth |
| Often confused with | Small acne bumps, freckles, skin tags, milia, seborrheic keratosis, syringoma |
Why do flat warts appear and spread?
The virus enters through tiny, invisible cuts and grows in the top layer of skin. Because it is a virus, it spreads, and it comes back when the body is tired. That is the biggest difference from skin tags and seborrheic keratosis.
- Scratching and touching carries the virus to nearby skin, which is why warts line up along a scratch.
- Shaving and exfoliating make constant tiny cuts on the jawline, neck and legs. Scrubs and peels do the same.
- Fatigue and low immunity weaken the skin's ability to keep the virus down.
- Pregnancy and childbirth often bring a sudden increase.
- Sharing towels or razors can pass them to family members.
Removal options at our clinic
Diagnosis by the doctor
Flat warts, skin tags, milia, seborrheic keratosis and small acne bumps are told apart one by one before treatment.
Sayul needle removal
Lifts off only the wart tissue with no heat damage. Recovery in about 3 days. Within the chosen area (face or neck), even small ones are removed with no limit on number.
Laser removal
CO2 laser for many warts over a wide area such as the chest, belly or back. Recovery in about 2 weeks.
Herbal medicine for recurrence
For warts that keep returning after several removals, herbal medicine is prescribed to support the immune response.
Skin tags at the same time
Skin tags, milia and seborrheic keratoses nearby can be removed on the same day. See skin tags and milia.
Warts in the genital area, bumps that grow quickly or bleed, and spots whose colour or shape changes irregularly may not be flat warts. These should be diagnosed and, if needed, biopsied at a dermatology or other appropriate clinic first. If you take medicine that lowers immunity, please tell us in advance.
What to expect
| Day of treatment | Numbing cream is applied, the warts are removed, and we finish with soothing care and a healing ointment. |
|---|---|
| About 3 days (needle) / 2 weeks (laser) | Small scabs and redness appear, then heal. Let scabs fall off on their own. |
| Weeks to months later | Watch for new ones. Any that appear are easiest to touch up while small. |
Recovery and recurrence vary with the number, location and your overall condition.
Before and after removal
- Don't scratch or pick. The virus spreads along anything your nails touch.
- Leave scabs alone. Pulling them off can leave marks.
- Pause shaving and exfoliating on the treated area until it heals.
- Skip saunas, swimming, hard exercise and alcohol for about a week.
- Use sunscreen carefully to prevent pigmentation.
- Use your own towel and razor, and get enough sleep to reduce recurrence.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Q.Are flat warts contagious?
Yes. They are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), so they spread easily to other parts of your own skin, and sharing towels or razors can pass them to others.
Q.Do flat warts go away on their own?
Sometimes, but there is no telling when. Meanwhile scratching and shaving can spread them, so it is easier to treat them while there are only a few.
Q.What is Sayul needle removal?
A method that uses a fine needle to lift off only the wart tissue. There is no heat, so the surrounding skin is not burned. It is almost painless and the skin recovers in about three days.
Q.Needle or laser, which is better for flat warts?
For visible areas such as the face and neck we usually recommend the Sayul needle because recovery is fast. For many warts over a wide area such as the chest, belly or back, laser is more efficient. Laser recovery takes about two weeks and redness can last a little longer.
Q.Can flat warts come back after removal?
Yes. Because they are viral, they tend to reappear nearby when you are tired or run down. For people with frequent recurrence, we also prescribe herbal medicine to support immunity, based on their constitution.
Q.How much does flat wart removal cost?
As of October 2026, laser removal of up to 15 flat warts is 99,000 KRW, one area unlimited (face, neck or pelvis) is 200,000 KRW, and Sayul needle removal for the face or neck, unlimited, is 390,000 KRW.
References
- Viral warts · DermNet
- Warts and verrucas · NHS
- Analysis of case studies on Korean medicine treatment of warts · Journal of Korean Medical Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology & Dermatology 32(4), 2019
CONTACT
Looking for flat wart removal in Incheon?
Hoo Korean Medicine Clinic Incheon is in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, near Exit 2 of Incheon Bus Terminal Station. On the day we remove flat warts, we can also sort out and remove any skin tags, milia or seborrheic keratoses.
01 ADDRESS
4 Inha-ro 489beon-gil, Namdong-gu, Incheon
Manhattan Bldg 3F · Incheon Bus Terminal Station (Incheon Line 1), Exit 2
Across the street from Lotte Department Store Incheon, in the ABC-MART building to the right of NC New Core Outlet.
02 HOURS
03 PARKING
The mechanical lot cannot take large cars, most imported cars or EVs. Use the public lot instead.
Consultations are held in Korean. Before you come, please take a selfie of the area you want treated and show it to the doctor at your visit. We will go through everything with a translation app.