Removal of papillomas with a laser is practically painless and rarely causes complications. You can get rid of a cosmetic defect in one go. But without additional drug treatment, the tumors will recur.
Why do papillomas appear and why are they dangerous?
These benign lesions are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are soft to the touch and can be oblong, round or flat. The shade matches the skin or is slightly darker. The growth does not hurt when pressed, but on the outside it looks unaesthetic.
HPV is found in many people's bodies and does not always manifest itself. It is activated in favorable conditions for growth:
- promiscuous sexual life;
- hormonal imbalance;
- reduced immunity;
- urogenital infections;
- constant illnesses;
- inadequate diet.
Also, the appearance of papillomas is provoked by radiation therapy, inflammation in the body, poor hygiene, surgical operations followed by long-term use of antibiotics. The disease occurs in women, men and even babies.
Papillomas form anywhere on the body (genitals, eyelids, neck, hands, face). Additionally, growths appear on the mucous membranes (tongue, larynx, cheek). They do not go away on their own and can develop into cancer, for example cervical cancer.
Laser removal of papillomas.
The least traumatic way to remove a tumor is laser therapy. The doctor uses a device that generates radiation. In a couple of minutes it cauterizes the papilloma in any area of the skin.
The beam acts precisely and does not affect neighboring tissues.
The procedure is sterile and, when done correctly, rarely causes side effects. Laser machines are equipped with a cooling tip that protects surrounding tissue from burns.
To whom and when is it shown?
The growths in most cases are not dangerous and are only cosmetic defects. Removal of papillomas with a laser can be postponed if they do not bother you.
Doctors recommend cauterizing tumors that begin to grow, bleed and hurt. It is also necessary to remove papillomas located on the face, scalp and intimate area. A person constantly touches these areas and can damage the growths. If an infection gets to them through the smallest cracks, severe inflammation will begin.
Due to the presence of the virus in the body, pathogenic cells divide uncontrollably, papillomas increase and can turn into a malignant tumor. In case of frequent relapses, dermatologists recommend drug therapy and then removal of all tumors with a laser.
Possible contraindications
Before removing a tumor, the doctor collects a history to identify possible contraindications. The procedure is not carried out if:
- oncology;
- diabetes mellitus, blood coagulation disorders;
- epilepsy;
- skin photosensitivity;
- elevated temperature, inflammatory and infectious diseases;
- autoimmune pathologies, tendency to form keloid scars.
Laser removal of papillomas on the genitals during menstruation is not recommended.
During pregnancy and lactation, consultation with a gynecologist is necessary, since local anesthesia is used during the procedure.
A dermatologist may refuse to treat a patient who has a recent tan or has a tattoo in the area of the growth. Some commercial medical institutions require the opinion of a pediatrician, who must allow the child to have the papilloma removed with a laser.
What laser is used?
Equipment with continuous and pulsed radiation is suitable for removing tumors. The first option is optimal for cauterizing tumors in the body. A laser with powerful radiation instantly evaporates pathological cells. But due to intense exposure, a scar may remain.
Pulsed lasers are used to cauterize papillomas on the face, neck and hands. They act more superficially and do not leave traces.
You can also perform the procedure yourself using a laser pen to remove the papilloma. This portable coagulator has 6 power settings and is USB rechargeable. The kit includes a wide needle and several fine disposable ones. But it is recommended to use the device only after consulting a dermatologist and oncologist.
How is laser removal of papillomas performed?
The procedure protocol does not depend on the type of laser or the location of the tumor.
What you can and cannot do before the procedure
2 weeks before laser papilloma removal, you should not sunbathe.
If the growth is on the face, exclude scrubs and chemical peels from your care. Try to use a minimum of cosmetic products.
Before the session, it is necessary to take a blood test for sexually transmitted diseases, take a smear from the cervix (women) or from the foreskin (men). The doctor may also refer the patient for biopsy, tissue histology, and PCR diagnosis. If the tests are unsatisfactory, laser removal will need to be postponed and drug therapy should be undergone first.
Technique
Cauterization of a papilloma takes between 1 and 3 minutes, depending on the size. Before the session, the doctor examines the tumor and determines the optimal laser power. The procedure is the next:
- The patient wears dark glasses with light filters to protect the eyes from accidental radiation.
- The skin is treated with an antiseptic and an anesthetic ointment is applied for 15 minutes.
- The doctor points the laser tip at the tumor and evaporates it layer by layer.
- After treatment, the treated skin area is disinfected again and an adhesive plaster is applied.
A small papilloma is removed in a single session. If the growths are large and located throughout the body, several procedures will be required. Laser removal of tumors in children is carried out according to a similar protocol.
Is it painful to remove papillomas with a laser?
Without local anesthesia, it will be painful to remove papillomas with a laser. Before the procedure, the doctor treats the skin with anesthetic ointment or gives an injection. After this, only a slight burning sensation is felt during the session.
Before removing growths from sensitive areas (intimate area, eyelids or sole of the foot), additional pain relief with medication is recommended.
Rehabilitation period
Recovery will be quick if you follow your doctor's recommendations. The day after the session, remove the plaster and treat the wound with an antiseptic or a saturated solution of potassium permanganate.
Repeat the procedure twice a day and then apply any healing ointment to the skin.
Do not scratch or pick at the scab to avoid infection. It will disappear on its own in 1 to 1. 5 weeks. Try to wet your skin less frequently. Shower, don't bathe. After bath procedures, dry your body gently with a towel. If the papilloma was on the face or eyelids, do not use cosmetics for 2 weeks.
During the rehabilitation period, avoid visiting the sauna, bathhouse or swimming pool. Do not shave the treated area, scrub with a washcloth, or use scrubs or other products with exfoliating particles. If the treatment was carried out in summer, you should not sunbathe on the beach or in the solarium.
Try not to expose your skin to direct sunlight and apply cream with SPF 30-50 before going outside. Postpone physical activity to avoid causing excessive sweating. Avoid drinking alcohol.
After removal of papilloma from the genitals, it is not recommended to have sexual intercourse until it is completely cured. Wash with intimate hygiene gel or mild baby soap. After the procedure, be sure to visit a gynecologist or urologist.
Possible complications
Complications rarely occur after laser therapy. If the doctor sets excessive power and incorrectly calculates the exposure time, the damaged area may swell and hurt. The wound starts to rot when it becomes infected due to poor hygiene during rehabilitation. Additionally, a consequence of removing large growths is the formation of keloid scars.
After laser, papillomas can reappear in even greater numbers. This complication arises due to the intensive phase of the virus, when cauterization of the growth without additional therapy is ineffective.
Pink spots remain at the site of the removed papilloma. They will fade after 4-5 days and disappear completely in a few months.
Comparison of laser removal with other methods.
In addition to laser therapy, papillomas are cauterized with medications containing salicylic acid or cantharidin. After 2-3 days, the formation heals and disappears. When removing growths on the genitals, preparations with podophyllotoxin are used. But this method is less effective and does not exclude relapse.
Surgical removal is also performed with a scalpel. Unlike laser, this method causes heavy bleeding. A scar may remain on the affected skin area. There is also a high risk of infection entering the wound.
Papillomas are removed by cryodestruction. The doctor applies an applicator with liquid nitrogen to the tumor for a few seconds. The growth darkens and soon disappears. The procedure is painless, but it will not be possible to control the depth of the effect. Therefore, relapses often occur.
Radio wave surgery using a special device is comparable in effectiveness to laser therapy. It removes growths, leaves no marks on the body, and minimally damages surrounding tissue.
Another effective method is treatment using electrocoagulation. The doctor acts on the papilloma with high-frequency electrical current. During the session, you can adjust the degree of impact. Bleeding and wound infection are excluded. But unlike a laser, the device damages the skin around the growth. After the procedure, pits sometimes remain.
Treatment cost
The price of laser papilloma removal starts from $2. 5 for 1 piece. The clinic sometimes reduces the cost if the patient cauterizes multiple growths. Treatment of the face and eyelids will cost more. Anesthesia is paid separately.
In large cities, the price of laser removal of papillomas on the neck (and in other areas of the skin) is 30 to 50% higher.
Reviews about laser removal of papillomas.
Reviews constantly appear on forums and websites of medical centers about the consequences of burning papillomas with a laser. The effectiveness and speed of the procedure are noted. Due to anesthesia, patients experienced practically no pain, but a burning smell. In most cases, treatment helped eliminate the defect. There were no scars left and the wounds healed quickly.
But almost everyone noted that laser therapy eliminates only one aesthetic defect. It will be useless without drug treatment for the virus.
Commentators often argue whether it is better to remove papillomas: nitrogen or laser. Many lean towards the second method because it helps them the first time.