Flat Warts in Toronto & Markham
Precision Erbium Laser Treatment
Fotona Er:YAG erbium laser precision ablation + eCO2 fractional · Dermoscopy first to separate warts from spots · Low-PIH protocol for Fitzpatrick III–V Asian skin · Performed by Dr. Dan Xu, M.D., CCFP
View Contents (15)
- 01 Dr. Xu's Rea…
- 02 What Are Flat War…
- 03 Five Causes of Fl…
- 04 4 Skin Conditions…
- 05 Why Flat Warts on…
- 06 4 Treatment Optio…
- 07 Dr. Xu’s 6-…
- 08 Treatment Timelin…
- 09 Are You a Candida…
- 10 ID Cosmetic Clini…
- 11 Dr. Dan Xu — A Tr…
- 12 《Timeless Asian B…
- 13 Why Can You Trust…
- 14 About Flat Wart T…
- 15 Risks & Contr…
Dr. Xu's Real Cases: Flat Warts
Real clients treated personally by Dr. Dan Xu at ID Cosmetic Clinic (Toronto / Markham). Every client signed a Media Release Form. Photos are unretouched clinical records; individual results vary with skin type and aftercare.
01Mature Facial Wart Lesions Cleared
- Concern
- Before treatment the frontal view shows raised dark wart lesions scattered over the forehead and both cheeks.
- Outcome
- After treatment the wart lesions are cleared, the skin flat and the tone clean.
- Maintenance
- Strict sun protection and no picking during healing; review as scheduled.
02Large Lesion Patch Faded In Three-Quarter View
- Concern
- Before treatment the three-quarter view shows a large confluent patch of dark wart lesions on the temple and cheek.
- Outcome
- After treatment the large patch is markedly faded and smaller, and the cheek tone more even than before.
- Maintenance
- Strict sun protection and no picking during healing; review as scheduled.
03Lesions And Discolouration Lighter In Three-Quarter View
- Concern
- Before treatment the three-quarter view shows wart lesions on the cheek with a large area of dark discolouration.
- Outcome
- After treatment the lesions have receded, the accompanying discolouration is lighter and the cheek more even.
- Maintenance
- Strict sun protection and no picking during healing; review as scheduled.
04Fewer Lesions In A Male Close-Up
- Concern
- Before treatment the frontal close-up shows dark wart lesions scattered on both cheeks and around the eyes.
- Outcome
- After treatment the lesions are fewer, those remaining paler and the skin flatter.
- Maintenance
- Strict sun protection and no picking during healing; review as scheduled.
05Lesions Cleared On A Senior Face
- Concern
- Before treatment the frontal view shows dark wart lesions scattered on the forehead and both cheeks.
- Outcome
- After treatment the lesions are cleared and the forehead and cheeks clean and flat.
- Maintenance
- Strict sun protection and no picking during healing; review as scheduled.
06Fewer Lesions In Three-Quarter View
- Concern
- Before treatment the three-quarter view shows dark wart lesions scattered over the cheek.
- Outcome
- After treatment the lesions are fewer and paler, and the cheek skin cleaner.
- Maintenance
- Strict sun protection and no picking during healing; review as scheduled.
07Scattered Lesions Cleared In Three-Quarter View
- Concern
- Before treatment the three-quarter view shows flat wart lesions scattered on the cheek and forehead.
- Outcome
- After treatment the scattered lesions are cleared, the skin smooth and the tone even.
- Maintenance
- Strict sun protection and no picking during healing; review as scheduled.
08Senior Face Cleared Of Lesions
- Concern
- Before treatment the frontal view shows raised dark wart lesions between the brows and on both cheeks.
- Outcome
- After treatment the lesions are cleared, the face clean and flat with a uniform tone.
- Maintenance
- Strict sun protection and no picking during healing; review as scheduled.
09Multiple Lesions Largely Cleared In Three-Quarter View
- Concern
- Before treatment the three-quarter view shows a large number of raised dark wart lesions on the cheek and around the eye.
- Outcome
- After treatment the multiple lesions are largely cleared and the skin visibly flat and clean.
- Maintenance
- Strict sun protection and no picking during healing; review as scheduled.
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What Are Flat Warts? Why Are They So Often Treated as “Pigment Spots”?
Flat warts (Verruca Plana) are benign viral growths of the epidermis caused by human papillomavirus (HPV, most often types 3, 10 and 28). They appear as 1–5 mm flat-topped, smooth, slightly raised papules, skin-coloured to light brown or pink, usually in clusters on the face (forehead, cheeks, jawline), the backs of the hands, forearms and shins. Among our Toronto and Markham clients with Asian skin, the most common problem is not having them — it is having them lasered repeatedly as freckles or sun spots, only to see more appear. Flat warts are a virus, not pigment.
Why do they keep multiplying?
HPV auto-inoculates: scratching, shaving, hair removal and harsh scrubbing carry the virus into fresh micro-breaks in the skin. Warts lining up along a scratch (the Koebner phenomenon) is a hallmark of flat warts.
Why are they mistaken for spots?
Light brown, flat, scattered over the cheeks — to the naked eye they do look like freckles or sun spots. But spots are a pigment problem; flat warts are virus-driven epidermal growth with a completely different structure under dermoscopy. Pigment lasers do not remove warts and can provoke spread.
Why can’t you “just burn them off”?
Flat warts are shallow, but Fitzpatrick III–V Asian skin reacts strongly to heat. Uncontrolled electrocautery, cryotherapy or chemical cautery leaves post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and pitted marks that are often more visible and harder to treat than the warts themselves.
Why do some clear on their own and others last for years?
Clearance depends on the immune system recognising the virus. Children and teenagers often clear within 1–2 years; adults, and anyone run-down or immunosuppressed, frequently carry them for years with new crops during periods of stress or poor sleep.
Clinical point: the real difficulty with flat warts is diagnosis first — separating them from freckles, sun spots, seborrheic keratoses and syringomas before choosing a device. The first step of Dr. Dan Xu’s protocol is always lesion-by-lesion dermoscopy, followed by the lowest-thermal-injury device for precise clearance, with PIH prevention for Asian skin built into every stage.
Five Causes of Flat Warts — More Than “Catching a Virus”
HPV is extremely common, yet not everyone exposed develops flat warts. Whether they appear, how many, and whether they clear depends on these five factors combined.
1. HPV infection (primary cause)
Flat warts are caused by HPV types 3, 10, 28 and 49, spread by direct skin contact or shared towels, razors and beauty tools. Unlike the high-risk types behind genital warts, these types are not cancer-causing, but they are contagious and spread readily across the skin.
2. A damaged skin barrier
Shaving, hair removal, scratching, over-exfoliation and post-peel micro-breaks are the virus’s “doorway” into the epidermis. Flat warts on a man’s jawline or a woman’s legs often run in lines along the razor’s path for exactly this reason.
3. Immune status
Sleep deprivation, chronic stress, pregnancy, chronic illness and immunosuppressive therapy all weaken HPV clearance. New crops “during exam season / after childbirth / after a serious illness” are a classic story, and some regress once immunity recovers.
4. Auto-inoculation and wrong treatment
Picking, squeezing, self-applied acids and salon “burning” all seed the virus into surrounding healthy skin. Many clients went from 3–5 lesions to dozens after a single wrong treatment.
5. Age and constitution
Most common in children, teenagers and young adults aged 20–40. People with atopic dermatitis or eczema-prone skin develop more; flat warts appearing in adulthood have a much lower spontaneous-clearance rate than in children and usually need active treatment.
4 Skin Conditions Commonly Confused with Flat Warts — Key Differential Points
Similar on the surface, fundamentally different underneath. Mistaking warts for spots → pigment laser → no effect, possible spread. Mistaking spots for warts → ablating a true pigment lesion → scars and PIH.
Flat Wart
Verruca Plana · HPV 3 / 10| Location | Forehead, cheeks, jawline, backs of hands, forearms, shins; may line up along scratches |
|---|---|
| Appearance | 1–5 mm flat-topped smooth papules with a crisp edge |
| Texture | Slightly raised, smooth, no scale |
| Nature | HPV infection — contagious and spreads |
| First-line treatment | Er:YAG precision ablation ± topical therapy |
Freckles / Sun Spots
Ephelides · Solar Lentigo| Location | Cheekbones, nose bridge, sun-exposed areas |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Completely flat pigmented macules, level with the skin |
| Texture | Nothing to feel |
| Nature | Melanin deposition — not contagious |
| First-line treatment | Picosecond / Q-switched laser |
Seborrheic Keratosis
SK · “senile wart”| Location | Face, neck, chest and back, mostly after 40 |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Waxy, rough, “stuck-on” plaques, usually darker |
| Texture | Rough, scaly, slightly greasy |
| Nature | Benign keratinocyte growth — not contagious |
| First-line treatment | CO₂ / Er:YAG ablation |
Syringoma
Periorbital papules| Location | Mainly the lower eyelids, symmetrical |
|---|---|
| Appearance | 1–3 mm skin-coloured dome-shaped papules, firm |
| Texture | Firm, sitting within the dermis |
| Nature | Benign sweat-duct growth — not contagious |
| First-line treatment | Fractional CO₂, lesion by lesion, in stages |
An often-missed look-alike: lichen planus on the face and wrists can also present as flat violaceous papules, but shows characteristic white lace-like lines, is unrelated to any virus and must not be ablated. Dermoscopy separates them at a glance — which is exactly why we diagnose before we treat.
Why Flat Warts on Asian Skin Need a “Precise, Low-Thermal-Injury” Protocol
Where common treatments go wrong on Asian skin
Flat warts are shallow, so in principle anything that destroys the epidermis will “remove” them. The question is what is left behind. Fitzpatrick III–V Asian skin reacts to heat and inflammation far more strongly than lighter skin:
- ✗ Cryotherapy — the freeze margin is uncontrollable; treating a whole cheek almost always leaves brown PIH that takes months to fade
- ✗ Chemical cautery / self-applied acids — uncontrolled depth, pitted scars, and run-off that seeds the virus into surrounding skin
- ✗ Pigment lasers used “for spots” — ineffective against a viral wart, and the inflammation can trigger new lesions
- ✗ Electrocautery / high energy — heat spreads into the surrounding dermis, leaving patches of redness and pigmentation
Dr. Xu’s Fitzpatrick III–V adjustments
| Parameter | Typical approach | ID protocol |
|---|---|---|
| Primary device | Cryo / cautery / acids | Er:YAG 2940 nm erbium laser |
| Ablation depth | Uncontrolled | Layer by layer, micron-level, to the epidermal base only |
| Thermal spread | Wide | Minimal (water absorption roughly 10× that of CO₂) |
| Anaesthesia | Usually none | Topical anaesthetic, 30 minutes |
| PIH prevention | None | Repair dressing + strict sun protection + follow-up monitoring |
The key difference: erbium laser energy is absorbed so strongly by water that almost all of it goes into vaporising the lesion itself, with very little heat reaching the surrounding skin — precisely what clustered facial flat warts on Asian skin require: clear them fully, without leaving a second problem on the face.
4 Treatment Options for Flat Warts — Chosen by Location, Number and Skin Type
No single method suits every flat wart. We combine the options below according to location (face / hands / shins), number (a few to over a hundred), how long they have been present and any previous treatment.
Fotona Er:YAG Erbium Laser Precision Ablation
2940 nm wavelength, highly absorbed by water · “cold” ablation. Each lesion is vaporised layer by layer down to the epidermal base with minimal thermal spread. Ideal for flat warts on exposed areas such as the face and neck, especially where Asian skin needs the lowest possible PIH risk. Dozens of lesions can be treated in a single visit.
eCO2 Fractional CO₂ Laser
10,600 nm wavelength, suited to long-standing or thicker lesions, and warts on the backs of the hands or shins, as well as mixed cases with seborrheic keratoses. Dr. Xu uses an ultra-fine spot at very low energy, lesion by lesion, to keep thermal injury in check.
PicoSure Pro for Residual Pigmentation
For PIH left by previous cryotherapy or acids, or faint brown marks after warts have cleared, a low-energy 755 nm picosecond protocol safely lightens the pigment. Note: the picosecond laser itself is not used to remove the warts.
Topical Medication and Immune Support
For very numerous, recurrent lesions or areas awkward to laser, Dr. Xu can prescribe topical medication alongside laser treatment to help suppress the virus and reduce recurrence. The specific choice is made at consultation based on your skin.
Dr. Xu’s 6-Step Flat Wart Protocol
Consultation + dermoscopy
A free 30-minute consultation with lesion-by-lesion dermoscopy to confirm flat warts and rule out freckles, sun spots, seborrheic keratoses, syringomas and lichen planus. Many clients whose “spot laser didn’t work” receive their first correct diagnosis at this step.
Mapping + device selection
Device chosen by location and number: exposed facial areas → Er:YAG; thicker lesions or limbs → eCO2; existing pigmentation → PicoSure Pro added in a later stage; numerous recurrent lesions → topical medication in support. Every lesion is mapped in one pass so none is left behind as a new source of spread.
Topical anaesthetic, 30 minutes
A compound anaesthetic cream covers the treatment area for 30 minutes. Flat warts are superficial, so most clients feel only mild warmth or prickling.
Lesion-by-lesion precision ablation
Performed by Dr. Xu personally, lesion by lesion, layer by layer, at micron-level depth until the base is flat, without touching surrounding skin. Dozens of facial lesions usually take 30–45 minutes.
Immediate repair + home-care guidance
Cooling, repair dressing and antibacterial care. Written aftercare + WeChat follow-up: fine crusts separate naturally in 5–7 days; no picking and no shaving across the treated area meanwhile, and strict sun protection starts as soon as the crusts are gone.
Review at 4–6 weeks: touch-up + recurrence check
Dermoscopy is repeated at review: any new or residual lesions are touched up, and early pigmentation is treated immediately. Viral conditions can recur — the review is part of the protocol, not an extra.
Treatment Timeline — How Long Until You See Results?
| Category | Sessions | Crusting | Redness fades | Final assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Face, few lesions (< 10) | 1, touch-up if needed | 5–7 days | 2–4 weeks | 3 months |
| Face, clustered (10–50) | 1–2, 4–6 weeks apart | 5–7 days | 3–6 weeks | 3 months |
| Backs of hands / forearms / shins | 1–3, 4–6 weeks apart | 7–10 days | 4–8 weeks | 3–6 months |
| Residual pigmentation from earlier treatment | Staged pigment treatment after warts have cleared | — | 6–12 weeks | 6 months |
Clinical note: flat warts are a viral condition — “cleared once, gone forever” is not an honest medical promise. Recurrence at a properly treated site is uncommon, but new lesions can appear when immunity dips; a touch-up at review usually takes minutes. After facial treatment you can return to normal life the same day; simply avoid makeup over the treated points while crusts are present.
Are You a Candidate for Flat Wart Treatment? 2-Minute Self-Assessment
✅ Good to start an assessment
- ✓ Clusters of small flat papules on the face, backs of hands or shins, skin-coloured to light brown
- ✓ The number is increasing, or they line up along scratches or the direction of shaving
- ✓ You have had them lasered “as spots” without result
- ✓ Pigmentation or pitted marks remain from earlier cryotherapy or acids and need repair
- ✓ You are willing to complete 4 weeks of aftercare and sun protection and attend review
- ✓ You understand a viral condition can recur and accept touch-ups
❌ Defer, or address something else first
- ✗ Lesions changing rapidly, uneven in colour, bleeding or ulcerated (dermoscopy / pathology first)
- ✗ Pregnancy or breastfeeding (can be deferred; some clear after delivery as immunity recovers)
- ✗ Active eczema, dermatitis or inflamed acne in the treatment area
- ✗ Significant keloid tendency not yet assessed
- ✗ Oral isotretinoin within the last 6 months, or recent heavy sun exposure / sunburn
- ✗ Expecting “one session, gone for life” (a mismatch of expectations)
ID Cosmetic Clinic’s Flat Wart Protocol vs. a Typical MedSpa / Beauty Salon
- ✗ No dermoscopy — warts lasered as spots, spots burned as warts
- ✗ Cryo / acids / cautery with uncontrolled depth
- ✗ Only the “visible few” treated; missed lesions keep spreading
- ✗ No topical anaesthetic, uncomfortable experience
- ✗ Usually an aesthetician — no physician diagnosis, no prescribing
- ✗ Pigmentation afterwards: “it will fade eventually”
- ✗ No review booked, recurrence goes unmanaged
- ✓ Dermoscopy on every lesion — warts, spots, SK and syringomas separated first
- ✓ Er:YAG / eCO2 micron-level precision ablation
- ✓ Every lesion mapped and treated in one pass, closing the source of spread
- ✓ 30 minutes of topical anaesthetic, a gentle experience
- ✓ Dr. Dan Xu M.D., CCFP diagnoses and treats personally, with prescriptions where needed
- ✓ PIH prevention plan for Asian skin, early pigmentation treated immediately
- ✓ Review and touch-up at 4–6 weeks built into the protocol
Dr. Dan Xu — A Trusted Physician for Precision Treatment on Asian Skin in Toronto
Dr. Dan Xu (M.D., CCFP) is a Canadian medical doctor, certified in family medicine (CCFP) and registered with the CPSO. She founded ID Cosmetic Clinic in Markham, Toronto in 2017 and has focused on fine skin work for Asian faces ever since — including flat warts, skin tags, syringomas, milia and seborrheic keratoses, and telling them apart from pigment spots.
Dr. Xu is a Cynosure PicoSure Pro Canadian KOL (fewer than 50 nationwide), an official Allergan / Juvéderm trainer for North America, and the author of Timeless Asian Beauty. She brought Korean and Japanese fine-skin protocols to Canada and serves the Chinese and Asian communities of Toronto, Markham, Richmond Hill, North York, Vaughan and Scarborough.
Credentials · Training · Certification
- ✓ M.D., Canadian medical doctor
- ✓ CCFP, certified in family medicine
- ✓ CPSO licensed physician, Ontario
- ✓ Cynosure PicoSure / PicoSure Pro Canadian KOL
- ✓ Official Allergan / Juvéderm trainer, North America
- ✓ Author of Timeless Asian Beauty
《Timeless Asian Beauty》
Dr. Xu’s book lays out the logic of fine skin work on Asian skin. It specifically covers distinguishing flat warts, skin tags and syringomas from pigment spots, and the principles for treating them on Fitzpatrick III–V skin — one of the most accessible specialist resources for Asian aesthetic clients in North America.
“What Asian skin fears most is not the problem itself, but a practitioner who doesn’t know how easily this skin scars. Every time the laser fires, I’m already thinking about the four weeks that follow.”
Why Can You Trust ID Cosmetic Clinic’s Information on Flat Warts?
Experience
8 years of specialist practice + 80,000 treatment areas + 90% Asian faces
Expertise
Er:YAG + eCO2 precision ablation · routine dermoscopy · warts vs. spots differentiation
Authoritativeness
M.D. + CCFP + CPSO · Allergan trainer for North America · published author
Trustworthiness
Every case on this page authorised by Media Release Form · clinical data on record
This page was written and reviewed by Dr. Dan Xu, M.D., CCFP. Clinical information is based on Dr. Xu’s practice at ID Cosmetic Clinic (Toronto / Markham) and the dermatology literature. This page does not constitute individual medical advice — every treatment decision should follow a consultation and dermoscopic assessment.
About Flat Wart Treatment Fees
Quotes for flat warts vary widely between clinics, but the real cost driver is never the machine — it is who diagnoses, who decides, and the depth of clinical experience behind the hand on the device. Flat warts look minor; the real difficulty is confirming they are flat warts, finding every lesion, avoiding pigmentation on Asian skin, and repairing earlier failed treatment — judgements that determine the device, the energy and whether a prescription is needed. Exposed facial areas and repair cases involve Dr. Xu directly, and the fee reflects physician time and judgement; stable areas such as the limbs can be safely treated by the trained medical team once Dr. Xu has set the plan. Which approach suits you is decided by location and number, not by price — specifics are discussed after consultation and dermoscopy.
- VISA / Mastercard / Amex / Debit / E-transfer accepted
- Affirm / PayBright instalments available on selected treatment packages
- Private insurance: some extended health plans reimburse consultation fees — ask about your case
- OHIP: cosmetic procedures are not covered
- All new clients receive a free 30-minute consultation and assessment
Risks & Contraindications — What We Must Be Clear About
What are the main risks?
1. PIH (mild to moderate risk on Asian skin, greatly reduced by 4 weeks of sun protection and repair care); 2. temporary redness (common, fades over 2–8 weeks); 3. rarely, pitted marks or hypertrophic scarring (a risk when depth is uncontrolled — avoided with micron-level ablation); 4. wound infection (rare with proper care); 5. recurrence or new lesions (inherent to a viral condition, managed with touch-ups at review).
Who should defer treatment?
Pregnancy or breastfeeding, oral isotretinoin in the last 6 months, active eczema / dermatitis / infection in the treatment area, significant keloid history not yet assessed, recent sunburn, immunosuppression (expected results need separate assessment), or atypical lesions not yet confirmed by dermoscopy or pathology — in these situations Dr. Xu will recommend deferring or addressing the other issue first.
How do you reduce pigmentation and recurrence risk during treatment?
Six core measures: (1) dermoscopy on every lesion to separate warts from spots; (2) Er:YAG instead of cryo / cautery, with micron-level depth control; (3) every lesion mapped and treated in one pass, leaving no source of spread; (4) moist wound healing, no picking, shaving routed around the treated area; (5) SPF 50+ physical sunscreen for at least 4 weeks once crusts are gone; (6) review at 4–6 weeks for touch-ups, with early pigmentation treated immediately using very-low-energy PicoSure Pro.
What does the informed consent cover?
Every client signs an Informed Consent before the first treatment, covering: the viral and contagious nature of flat warts, possible adverse effects and their likelihood, alternatives (observation / topical medication / laser), the possibility of recurrence, review arrangements, and an optional Media Release. Everything is explained by Dr. Xu personally — never signed off by administrative staff.
Additional Comparison & Reference Data
| Type | Flat wart | Common wart | Filiform wart |
|---|---|---|---|
| HPV types | 3, 10, 28, 49 | 1, 2, 4, 27, 57 | 1, 2, 4, 27, 29 |
| Typical sites | Face, backs of hands, forearms, shins | Fingers, backs of hands, knees, feet | Face, around the lips, eyelids, neck |
| Appearance | 1–5 mm flat, smooth, skin-coloured to light brown, often clustered | Rough, scaly round papules with visible black dots | Slender finger-like projections |
| Preferred treatment | Er:YAG precision ablation ± topical therapy | Cryotherapy / CO₂ ablation / topical keratolytics | CO₂ / Er:YAG fine ablation |
| Asian-skin caution | High PIH risk — never freeze whole areas | Cryo acceptable on feet, caution on hands | Around the eyes: physician-only, ultra-fine spot |
Toronto Flat Wart Treatment FAQ
Answered personally by Dr. Dan Xu — based on the most common questions from flat wart clients in Toronto and Markham.Are flat warts contagious? Can I pass them to my family?
Yes. Flat warts are caused by HPV and spread by direct contact or shared towels, razors and makeup tools, and across your own skin through scratching and shaving. Not sharing personal items and not picking greatly reduces the risk; once properly cleared, the source of spread is gone.
Are the marks on my face flat warts or freckles? How can I tell?
Flat warts are slightly raised to the touch, smooth, and often line up along scratches; freckles are completely flat and level with the skin. The naked eye cannot always tell, so Dr. Xu confirms each lesion with dermoscopy. Many clients only learn they have warts after "spot laser" failed.
Will flat warts go away on their own? Do I need treatment?
About half of children and teenagers clear within 1–2 years; adults clear far less often, and lesions may keep spreading while you wait. Lesions on the face, increasing in number, or affecting your appearance are worth treating actively.
Why did several pigment-laser sessions do nothing?
Because pigment lasers target melanin, whereas flat warts are virus-driven epidermal growth — a completely different target — and the repeated inflammation can even trigger new lesions. The right sequence is dermoscopy first, then Er:YAG to vaporise the lesion itself.
Will erbium laser treatment leave scars?
With micron-level, layer-by-layer ablation down to the epidermal base only, scarring from facial flat warts is very unlikely. On Asian skin the bigger concern is pigmentation — which is exactly why we use Er:YAG rather than cryo or cautery, and pair it with 4 weeks of sun protection and review.
How soon can I work, wear makeup or shave afterwards?
You can return to normal life the same day. Fine crusts separate naturally in 5–7 days; avoid makeup over the treated points and route shaving around the area until then. Once the crusts are gone, makeup is fine and SPF 50+ sunscreen starts immediately for at least 4 weeks.
How many lesions can be treated at once? How many sessions?
Dozens of facial lesions are usually cleared in one 30–45 minute visit. A few lesions need a single session; clustered facial lesions or lesions on the limbs often need 1–2 sessions 4–6 weeks apart, with new or residual lesions touched up at the 4–6 week review.
Will they come back after treatment?
Recurrence at a properly treated site is uncommon, but flat warts are a viral condition and new lesions can appear when immunity dips. That is the nature of the condition, not a treatment failure; a touch-up at review usually takes minutes. Good sleep and less scratching or shaving irritation reduce new lesions.
I have dark marks from earlier cryotherapy or acids — can they be repaired?
Yes, but in stages: first confirm the warts are gone, then lighten the PIH with very-low-energy PicoSure Pro alongside repair skincare and strict sun protection. Most cases improve clearly within 2–3 sessions; full recovery takes patience.
I live in downtown Toronto / North York / Richmond Hill — is it worth coming to Markham?
ID Cosmetic Clinic is at 30 Gibson Dr., Markham — 30–40 minutes by car from downtown Toronto, 20–25 from North York, 15–20 from Richmond Hill / Vaughan and 20–30 from Scarborough. Flat warts look minor, but getting the diagnosis right and avoiding pigmentation decide the outcome — worth seeing a physician in person.
Real Clients · Google Reviews
What Our Clients Say
Vivian Okoth
0 reviews
Dr. Xu and the staff here are fantastic. I’ve been coming here for years and always leave satisfied! The clinic has a relaxed, comfortable, and welcoming atmosphere—I always look forward to my visits.
Mary Jane
1 reviews
I am so grateful to the friend who recommended this place to me. Dr. Xu is amazing—she is the only doctor I’ll see from now on! Everyone on the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful.
Millicent Akisa
1 reviews
She is truly outstanding! She is both friendly and professional, highly knowledgeable, and has a very warm and gentle manner. She listens carefully to your needs and takes the time to explain all the options to you.
Chen cheng
15 reviews
Vivian is extremely professional. Of all the times I've been here, her technique and service are the best. She finished my hyaluronic acid injection very quickly, with minimal pain. She's also beautiful and has a great p…
Emmaculate Matswa
1 reviews
I'm so glad I came here. Dr. Xu is incredibly knowledgeable, and every piece of advice she gave was meticulous and thoughtful. I really enjoyed talking to her about skincare. Everyone here is so warm and friendly .
Sally Yang
2 reviews
Ling was absolutely amazing! She is so friendly, kind, and welcoming. She made the whole experience so enjoyable and comfortable. Truly appreciate her warm personality and excellent service. Highly recommend!
Zara F. Bell
2 reviews
Absolutely amazing clinic. I was treated with the upmost care and respect. Felt like I've know them my whole life. The whole crew is amazing and so sweet! The service was impeccable by Dr. Dan Xu, she is literally the be…
Caroline Fan
8 reviews
I had a really pleasant visit at ID cosmetics today with Ling. I had my pico laser appointment today. Ling treated me with such kindness and care. She was really attentive prepping me for my treatment and checking in on…
Vivian Okoth
0 reviews
Dr. Xu and the staff here are fantastic. I’ve been coming here for years and always leave satisfied! The clinic has a relaxed, comfortable, and welcoming atmosphere—I always look forward to my visits.
Mary Jane
1 reviews
I am so grateful to the friend who recommended this place to me. Dr. Xu is amazing—she is the only doctor I’ll see from now on! Everyone on the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful.
Millicent Akisa
1 reviews
She is truly outstanding! She is both friendly and professional, highly knowledgeable, and has a very warm and gentle manner. She listens carefully to your needs and takes the time to explain all the options to you.
Chen cheng
15 reviews
Vivian is extremely professional. Of all the times I've been here, her technique and service are the best. She finished my hyaluronic acid injection very quickly, with minimal pain. She's also beautiful and has a great p…
Emmaculate Matswa
1 reviews
I'm so glad I came here. Dr. Xu is incredibly knowledgeable, and every piece of advice she gave was meticulous and thoughtful. I really enjoyed talking to her about skincare. Everyone here is so warm and friendly .
Sally Yang
2 reviews
Ling was absolutely amazing! She is so friendly, kind, and welcoming. She made the whole experience so enjoyable and comfortable. Truly appreciate her warm personality and excellent service. Highly recommend!
Zara F. Bell
2 reviews
Absolutely amazing clinic. I was treated with the upmost care and respect. Felt like I've know them my whole life. The whole crew is amazing and so sweet! The service was impeccable by Dr. Dan Xu, she is literally the be…
Caroline Fan
8 reviews
I had a really pleasant visit at ID cosmetics today with Ling. I had my pico laser appointment today. Ling treated me with such kindness and care. She was really attentive prepping me for my treatment and checking in on…
Grace
Local Guide · 13 reviews
I got a treatment done by Ling today and she was super friendly and helpful. She made me feel very comfortable throughout the entire process from the beginning til the end and I’d like to get it done by her again next ti…
Yvonne H
Local Guide · 54 reviews
Ling was so kind and super precise. I loved her recommendations—felt like she just knew what I needed! Thank you!
Dou Xu
2 reviews
Ling is just amazing—so gentle and professional. She really knows her stuff! I felt super cared for. The whole experience? Honestly, so relaxing.
Yan Sun
3 reviews
Dr. Dan Xu is seriously amazing—so skilled and patient! Felt super at ease the entire time. The results? Wow, just wow.
Olivia W
3 reviews
Entrusting my face to Dr. Xu and her team is reassuring, and everyone's service attitude is super nice. The clinic environment is clean and elegant, and Dr. Xu is enthusiastic and professional. I have always trusted her…
Hana Yu
9 reviews
I have been here since 3 years ago, Dr.Xu is very professional and all the staff are very nice and patient. I highly recommend this place!
xiaojie chen
7 reviews
Susie has an incredibly caring attitude, and all of her suggestions were truly helpful. I really appreciated her support!
Jackie Tse
Local Guide · 18 reviews
Dr Xu is very friendly and professional. Appointment was made quickly and the consultants provided professional and helpful advice. After the procedure, the consultant provided advice on after care and treatment plans. H…
Grace
Local Guide · 13 reviews
I got a treatment done by Ling today and she was super friendly and helpful. She made me feel very comfortable throughout the entire process from the beginning til the end and I’d like to get it done by her again next ti…
Yvonne H
Local Guide · 54 reviews
Ling was so kind and super precise. I loved her recommendations—felt like she just knew what I needed! Thank you!
Dou Xu
2 reviews
Ling is just amazing—so gentle and professional. She really knows her stuff! I felt super cared for. The whole experience? Honestly, so relaxing.
Yan Sun
3 reviews
Dr. Dan Xu is seriously amazing—so skilled and patient! Felt super at ease the entire time. The results? Wow, just wow.
Olivia W
3 reviews
Entrusting my face to Dr. Xu and her team is reassuring, and everyone's service attitude is super nice. The clinic environment is clean and elegant, and Dr. Xu is enthusiastic and professional. I have always trusted her…
Hana Yu
9 reviews
I have been here since 3 years ago, Dr.Xu is very professional and all the staff are very nice and patient. I highly recommend this place!
xiaojie chen
7 reviews
Susie has an incredibly caring attitude, and all of her suggestions were truly helpful. I really appreciated her support!
Jackie Tse
Local Guide · 18 reviews
Dr Xu is very friendly and professional. Appointment was made quickly and the consultants provided professional and helpful advice. After the procedure, the consultant provided advice on after care and treatment plans. H…
Ready to deal with your flat warts?
Free 30-minute consultation · Lesion-by-lesion dermoscopy + Fitzpatrick assessment + device selection — we first confirm they are flat warts, then decide how to treat them.
Free 30-Minute Consultation
Every consultation is conducted personally by Dr. Xu (Mon–Sat).
24 hr response · English/Chinese OK
The device defines what's possible; the physician defines the direction.
Identify with your own beauty.
