Got a stubborn verruca? Tried everything with no improvement? It is painful or embarrassing? Then you should really consider Swift microwave treatment.
We’re often asked “what’s the best way to treat verrucae?” With so many old wives’ tales online, it’s no wonder why. But in the 15 years I’ve been treating them, I haven’t found such a successful, life changing treatment as Swift. Don’t believe me? Check out our reviews!
What is Swift?
Swift is a cutting-edge technology for the treatment of verrucae. It uses microwave energy to treat the virus in a very precise and controlled way. Treatment takes up to 10 seconds per verruca. The microwave energy is delivered directly to the verruca at a predetermined depth. This means that, unlike other treatments, there is no damage to the surrounding healthy tissue. It heats the skin by about 4 degrees, ‘heat shocking’ the targeted skin cells. By activating our heat shock receptor proteins, the cells are triggered into recognising and fighting the virus.
What happens at the appointment?
If you think you have a verruca, we’d first need to see you for an initial assessment. This an opportunity for us to check that it is a verruca, to discuss the available options and to make sure Swift is the best treatment for you. If you decide to go ahead with Swift, we can start it during the same appointment.
With your consent, we’ll take some photos of your verruca(e) to start with. We do this so we can monitor the changes in your verruca(e) between each appointment. We then often debride (remove the hard skin) from the top of the verruca to make the surface flatter. Sometimes this can make the verruca bleed. This is normal and usually stops quite quickly.
We’ll treat each verruca with Swift for 2–5 seconds, between five and eight times. The dose delivered is tailored to each patient and each verruca. After treatment, we’ll book you in for two further appointments, one in four weeks, another in eight weeks. We can book review appointments at eight weeks and 14 weeks.
Does it hurt?
The truth is the treatment is uncomfortable. However, I’ve treated a six-year-old with no tears at all! From personal experience, I’d describe it as an intense, but very short, sting or heat. As an example, on a two-second dose, you’d only feel this sensation for a second, then it’s completely gone. So, you walk out of the clinical with no pain whatsoever. And, as every patient says, this moment of discomfort is well worth it to get rid of a verruca!
Will I need anaesthetic?
Absolutely not. The discomfort of an injection in the foot is much worse than the quick short sensation of Swift!
Will I need dressings?
As Swift doesn’t damage the skin, no dressings are required. In those patients where the verruca was sore before treatment, we may offer some padding to deflect any pressure and ease the discomfort. And in those that bleed after removing the hard surface skin, we may apply a small plaster, which you need to keep on for about 24 hours.
Is it as swift as the name?
The actual treatment is very quick but be prepared for a longer treatment plan. We recommend three treatments, spaced four weeks apart. This offers an 80% success rate. Some patients with larger or long-term verrucae, or those that have pre-existing medical issues, may need more treatments. It can take between three and four months after the last treatment to completely resolve the problem.
I have many verrucae, will you treat them all?
As the treatment is systemic (creates a response through the whole body), you only have to treat one verruca. However, we usually treat them all, at the same appointment, for no additional cost.
Is it expensive?
Swift is the latest technology, so the costs can be higher than more traditional treatments. As well investment in the machine itself, each treatment requires a single-use computerised tip. However, if you compare the cost to topical treatments, it’s surprisingly more cost effective. For an example, take salicylic acid, which costs £40 for each treatment: it needs to be applied every week, for up to 12 applications, so that’s £480 in total. And for that, you get a 50% success rate.
We charge Swift as a package or as a pay-as-you-go option, to help spread the costs. The package covers three treatments, plus all review appointments at £375. If you choose to pay-as-you-go it costs £140 per treatment, with all the review appointments included. For younger patients, this may be a better option as some children do not need all three treatments. Please note, all prices are accurate at the time of writing the blog.
Can anyone have Swift?
Swift it suitable for most people. The only exceptions are those with pacemakers, metal work in their foot, or expectant mothers. There’s no evidence against using Swift during pregnancy, but we feel it’s best to hold off treatment while your immune system is busy caring for a growing human!
Although Swift can be used to treat all age groups, it isn’t for everyone. There are alternatives available. It’s also worth pointing out, that some people might not need all three treatments (usually children), and others need more than three. We’ll assess and discuss all of this at your first appointment.
Can I go to the gym after?
It’s not uncommon to feel a tingle where you’ve been treated for the rest of the day. In some rare cases, the area can feel a little bruised the next day, but it won’t stop you from doing your normal activities.
How quickly will I see a difference?
The short answer to this is everyone – and every verruca – is different. Timings depend on the size and depth of the verruca, how long you’ve had it, any pre-existing medical conditions and how high the dose we can deliver. Verruca which are very painful or have a lot of callus build up over them, can often demonstrate a difference after just one treatment. The verruca often becomes shallower before it reduces in diameter, which means, to the untrained eye, it might appear as if the treatment isn’t working. This is why we take regular photographs – to keep an eye on the depth and width of each verruca as it changes over time.
Get in touch to book an appointment to assess your verruca and see whether Swift may be right for you.
