Swift Microwave Treatment

Microwave energy rapidly elevates tissue temperature and creates precise, localised cell response.

What is Swift?

Swift is a new technology, developed in the UK, which has been licensed for the general treatment of skin lesions in dermatology. Swift uses microwave energy which is delivered through a special probe applied to the skin to treat the affected tissue.

Warts – what are they?

A wart is a small lump on the skin, they are normally skin coloured and can feel firm and rough. Warts can appear on your knees, palms, knuckles, and fingers. A plantar wart is a wart typically found on the bottom of your feet. They can appear in various shapes and sizes, and may have small black dots in the centre.

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Swift Microwave Treatment

Swift is the pioneering new microwave therapy for skin. Microwave energy rapidly elevates tissue temperature and creates precise, localised cell response.

What are the stages of Swift microwave treatment?

Step 1

Infected tissue can exist several millimetres below the surface and can often be difficult to treat using traditional methods, resulting in either untreated tissue or significant damage.

Step 2

Swift delivers a precise, highly controlled energy dose. As microwaves travel into the tissue, water molecules begin colliding and creating localised heat energy.

Step 3

In just seconds the treatment is complete and the healing cascade begins immediately. Treated tissue is quickly replaced, repaired and regenerated.

What is the Swift treatment process?

Swift Microwave therapy is performed either by a dermatologist or a practice nurse. This is a quick treatment to perform and doesn’t require any preparation or the use of local anaesthetic.

The first step is to have a consultation with a dermatologist so that they can assess and determine whether this treatment is suitable for you. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the dermatologist or one of the nurses will proceed with the first treatment.

Prior to treatment, you will be asked to sign a consent form and a photo of the area will be taken for reference for future treatments. The clinician will then set up the machine and you will be asked to lie comfortably on one of our couches, exposing the area to be treated. Once all set up, the probe of the machine will be in contact with the lesion for 2-3 seconds and treatment will be repeated 3-5 times.

You may feel some discomfort such as sudden heat or a sharp sensation on the area which can last for about 2-3 seconds while the probe is in contact with your skin. The time it takes to perform the treatment will depend on the size of the lesion.

After the treatment, you will be advised when you should have your next session. It is unusual for a lesion to fully disappear after just 1 treatment, so further sessions will be needed. There shouldn’t be any pain when you leave the clinic, and you can go about your daily activities as normal.

Swift treatment timeline: initial consultation, three treatments four weeks apart, then a review appointment 12 weeks later

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Call: 0118 466 0935

What can I do after my treatment?

In some cases the treated area may feel sore but will not prevent you undertaking normal daily activities. There is no need for dressings and no aftercare required.

Further reading: Patient leaflets from the British Association of Dermatologists

Viral warts Plantar warts

Frequently Asked Questions

What can cause a wart?

Warts are caused by a virus called HPV. If you develop a wart, the virus is able to hide from your body’s immune system, which makes the virus very difficult to detect. This means that warts can persist for several years, and can continue to spread across the hands, feet, and other parts of the body.

Does it hurt?

Like many treatments for skin, discomfort may be experienced. It is not uncommon for patients to feel a sharp sensation, similar to an injection. Unlike most treatments for plantar warts, pain felt during the treatment quickly subsides, and only in rare cases is there any prolonged pain.

How many treatments will I need?

This is dependent on how you respond to treatment. In some cases, you may need more than one treatment (these can be from 14 days to over a month apart depending on the response). Your podiatrist or dermatologist will be able to discuss this with you.

Can anyone receive this treatment?

With a few exceptions, most people with skin lesions would be able to have this treatment. Your Swift clinician will carry out an assessment prior to treatment and be able to advise you on this.

Related Specialists at Derma

Your consultation

Your consultation is with a consultant dermatologist, who will diagnose your condition and plan your treatment.

Dr Charles Archer

Consultant Dermatologist

General dermatologySkin surgery

Special interests in skin cancer, lasers and complex medical dermatology.

Dr Sanju Arianayagam

Consultant Dermatologist

General dermatologySkin surgery

Leads the specialist photosensitivity clinic in Oxford.

Dr Rima Clayton

Consultant Dermatologist

General dermatologyPaediatric dermatologySkin surgery

Founder of Derma Reading, seeing adults and children, with a particular interest in skin cancer and skin surgery.

Dr Rachel Fisher

Consultant Dermatologist

General dermatologySkin surgery

Specialist interests in skin cancer and vulval dermatology, and clinical lead for dermatology in Reading and West Berkshire.

Dr Sabrina Khan

Consultant Dermatologist

General dermatologySkin surgery

Specialist interest in vulval dermatology, and lead for the Oxford NHS vulval service.

Dr Inge Kreuser-Genis

Consultant Dermatologist

General dermatologyPaediatric dermatologySkin surgery

Specialist interests in paediatric and vulval dermatology.

Dr Antonia Lloyd-Lavery

Consultant Dermatologist

General dermatology

Specialist interests in severe eczema and psoriasis, autoimmune blistering diseases and connective tissue diseases.

Professor Rubeta Matin

Consultant Dermatologist

General dermatology

Specialist interests in skin cancer and moles, skin disease in transplant and immunosuppressed patients, and cutaneous lymphoma.

Dr John Reed

Consultant Dermatologist

General dermatologySkin surgery

Specialist interest in urticaria, angioedema and allergy.

Dr Isabelle Vandormael

Consultant Dermatologist

General dermatologySkin surgery

Particular interest in lasers and cosmetic dermatology.

Your treatment

Your treatment sessions are carried out by our nursing team.

Diane Murphy

Nurse Team Leader

Leads our nursing team, making sure every patient receives safe, high-quality care.

Sarah Peett

Senior Dermatology Nurse

Specialist dermatology nurse with a background in surgical, medical and midwifery care.

Aleesa Dela Vega

Dermatology Nurse

Dermatology nurse with experience in respiratory and intensive care, known for her caring approach.

Roberta Cattolico

Dermatology Nurse

Works alongside our consultants in clinic, with a focus on patch testing and phototherapy.

Sandra Marcikic

Healthcare Assistant

Supports our patients and clinicians in clinic, drawing on her medical background.

Consultation	£330
Follow-up	£270