Considering laser removal for small facial bumps in Korea?
Even for trained doctors, distinguishing between common skin bumps can sometimes be tricky.
Hello, beautiful people!
Understanding the differences between milia, syringomas, and flat warts (verruca plana) is crucial for choosing the right treatment—especially when using advanced skin lasers like CO₂ or erbium:YAG.
Even for trained doctors, distinguishing between common skin bumps like milia, syringomas, and flat warts can sometimes be tricky—let alone for patients seeing them for the first time.
What Are Syringomas?
Cause
Overgrowth of eccrine sweat ducts.
Often familial and more common in middle-aged women
Look
Small, skin-colored papules, typically around the eyes
Treatment
Mostly for cosmetic reasons.
Commonly removed at aesthetic clinics using ablative CO₂ or erbium lasers, or electrocautery.
What Are Milia?
Cause
Keratin trapped under the skin
Look
Small, white, dome-shaped cysts
Treatment
Easily extracted manually at skin clinics, or treated with topical retinoids. Laser rarely needed unless lesions are multiple or recurrent.
What Are Flat Warts (Verruca Plana)?
Cause
Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 3, 10, 28
Look
Flat, smooth, lightly raised skin lesions.
Easily confused with superficial pigmentation.
Treatment
Easily spread through shaving, scratching, or contact.
Typically removed via ablative CO₂ or erbium:YAG lasers. Early treatment is important to avoid spread.
Emerging studies suggest that oral zinc sulfate may help modulate immune response against HPV, potentially reducing recurrence of flat warts. While not a primary treatment, it can serve as a supportive measure in some cases.
HPV vaccination and Flat Wart Recurrence
Although Gardasil vaccines (4-valent and 9-valent) do not directly protect against HPV types causing flat warts, they may offer indirect benefits:
1
Cross-protection:
Some studies suggest immune crossover to similar low-risk HPV types.
2
Immune support:
May help reduce recurrence or reactivation of flat warts via immune modulation.
Still, Gardasil is not a treatment—but it might complement long-term management in recurring cases.
Should You Remove Them?
Flat warts → Yes, to prevent viral spread
Syringomas / Milia → Optional unless for aesthetic concerns or irritation
Laser procedures for these skin conditions can often be combined with mole removal during the same session at many Korean clinics. For accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment, always consult with your doctors when visiting Korean clinic.
保持容光焕发和自信！
Dr.Soomin