Laser removal of papillomas 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 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 elongated, round or flat. The color matches the skin or is slightly darker. The growth does not hurt when pressed, but externally it looks unaesthetic.
HPV is found in many people's bodies and does not always manifest itself. It is activated under conditions favorable for growth:
- promiscuous sex life;
- hormonal imbalance;
- reduced immunity;
- urogenital infections;
- constant illnesses;
- inadequate nutrition.
The appearance of papillomas is also provoked by radiation treatment, inflammation in the body, poor hygiene, surgical interventions and subsequent long-term use of antibiotics. The disease occurs in women, men and even infants.
Papillomas form on any part of the body (genitals, eyelids, neck, hands, face). Growths also appear on the mucous membranes (tongue, larynx, cheek). They do not go away on their own and can develop into cancer, such as cervical cancer.
Laser removal of papillomas
The least traumatic way to remove a tumor is laser therapy. The doctor uses a device that produces radiation. In a few minutes, it cauterizes the papilloma on any area of the skin.
The beam works precisely and does not affect neighboring tissue.
The procedure is sterile and, if carried out correctly, rarely causes side effects. Laser devices are equipped with a cooling tip that protects the surrounding tissue from burns.
Who will it be shown to and when?
The growths are usually not dangerous and are merely cosmetic defects. Laser removal of papillomas 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 on the face, scalp and intimate areas. A person constantly touches these areas and can injure the growths. If an infection enters it through the smallest cracks, severe inflammation occurs.
Due to the presence of the virus in the body, pathogenic cells divide uncontrollably, papillomas increase in size and can turn into a malignant tumor. With frequent relapses, dermatologists recommend drug therapy and subsequent removal of all tumors with a laser.
Possible contraindications
Before removing a tumor, the doctor takes a medical history to identify possible contraindications. The procedure is not carried out if:
- Oncology;
- Diabetes mellitus, blood clotting disorders;
- Epilepsy;
- skin sensitivity to light;
- increased temperature, inflammatory and infectious diseases;
- Autoimmune diseases, tendency to form keloid scars.
Laser removal of papillomas on the genitals is not recommended during menstruation.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, consultation with a gynecologist is necessary, as the procedure uses local anesthesia.
A dermatologist may refuse to treat a patient who has a recent tan or has a tattoo at the site of the growth. Some commercial medical institutions require the opinion of a pediatrician, who must allow the child to have a papilloma removed with a laser.
Which laser is used?
Devices with continuous and pulsed radiation are suitable for removing tumors. The first option is optimal for cauterizing tumors on the body. A laser with strong radiation instantly vaporizes pathological cells. However, due to the intense impact, a scar may remain.
Pulsed lasers are used to cauterize papillomas on the face, neck and hands. They appear more superficial and leave no trace.
You can also perform the procedure yourself using a laser pen for papilloma removal. This portable coagulator has 6 power settings and is USB rechargeable. The kit includes a wide needle and several thin disposable needles. However, it is recommended to use the device only after consulting a dermatologist and oncologist.
How is laser removal of papillomas done?
The protocol for the procedure does not depend on the type of laser and the location of the tumor.
What you can and cannot do before the procedure
You should not sunbathe 2 weeks before laser removal of papillomas.
If the growth is on the face, exclude peels and chemical peels from your care routine. Try to use a minimum of cosmetic products.
Before the session, you must take a blood test for sexually transmitted diseases and take a swab from the cervix (women) or foreskin (men). The doctor may also refer the patient for a biopsy, tissue histology and PCR diagnostics. If the results are unsatisfactory, laser removal must be postponed and drug therapy must be carried out first.
Technology
Cauterization of a papilloma takes 1-3 minutes, depending on its size. Before the session, the doctor examines the tumor and determines the optimal laser power. The procedure goes as follows:
- 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 aims the laser tip at the tumor and vaporizes it layer by layer.
- After the therapy, the treated skin area is disinfected again and an adhesive plaster is applied.
A small papilloma is removed in one session. If the growths are large and spread throughout the body, multiple procedures are required. Laser removal of tumors in children follows a similar protocol.
Is it painful to remove papillomas with a laser?
Without local anesthesia, removal of papillomas with a laser is painful. Before the procedure, the doctor treats the skin with an anesthetic ointment or gives an injection. Afterwards, only a slight burning sensation can be felt during the session.
Before removing growths from sensitive areas (intimate areas, eyelids or soles of the feet), additional pain relief with medication is recommended.
Rehabilitation phase
If you follow your doctor's recommendations, you will have a quick recovery. The next day after the session, remove the adhesive plaster and treat the wound with an antiseptic or saturated solution of potassium permanganate.
Repeat the process twice a day and then apply a healing ointment to the skin.
To avoid infection, do not scratch or remove the scab. It will disappear on its own in 1-1. 5 weeks. Try to wet your skin less often. Take a shower, not a bath. After bathing, gently pat your body dry 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 it with a washcloth, or use scrubs or other products that contain exfoliating particles. If the treatment was carried out in summer, you should not sunbathe on the beach or in a solarium.
Try to avoid exposing your skin to direct sunlight and apply a cream with SPF 30-50 before going outside. Postpone physical activities to avoid excessive sweating. Avoid alcohol.
After removing the papilloma from the genitals, sexual intercourse is not recommended until complete healing. 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 too high a power and incorrectly calculates the exposure time, swelling and pain may occur in the damaged area. When infected, the wound begins to fester due to poor hygiene during rehabilitation. A consequence of removing large growths is also the formation of keloid scars.
After laser treatment, papillomas can recur in even greater numbers. This complication occurs due to the intensive phase of the virus, when cauterization of the growth is ineffective without additional therapy.
Pink spots remain at the site of the removed papilloma. They fade after 4-5 days and disappear completely after a few months.
Comparison of laser removal with other methods
In addition to laser therapy, papillomas are cauterized with drugs containing salicylic acid or cantharidin. After 2-3 days the formation heals and disappears. When removing growths on the genitals, preparations containing podophyllotoxin are used. However, this method is less effective and does not exclude relapse.
Surgical removal with a scalpel is also performed. Unlike laser, this method causes severe bleeding. A scar may remain on the affected area of skin. There is also a high risk of infection getting into the wound.
Papillomas are removed using cryodestruction. The doctor applies an applicator containing liquid nitrogen to the tumor for a few seconds. The growth becomes darker and soon disappears. The procedure is painless, but the depth of the effect cannot be controlled. 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 causes minimal damage to the surrounding tissue.
Another effective method is treatment by electrocoagulation. The doctor applies high-frequency electrical current to the papilloma. During the session you can adjust the level of effect. Bleeding and infection of the wound are excluded. However, unlike a laser, the device injures the skin around the growth. Dimples sometimes remain after the procedure.
Cost of treatment
The price of laser papilloma removal starts at $2. 5 each. The clinic sometimes reduces costs if the patient cauterizes several growths. Treatment of the face and eyelids will cost more. Anesthesia is paid separately.
In large cities, the cost of laser removal of papillomas on the neck (and other skin areas) is 30-50% higher.
Reviews about laser removal of papillomas
Reviews about the consequences of burning out papillomas with a laser constantly appear on forums and websites of medical centers. The effectiveness and speed of the procedure are noted. Due to the anesthesia, the patients felt practically no pain, but there was a burning smell. In most cases, treatment helped to eliminate the defect. There were no scars left and the wounds healed quickly.
But almost everyone noted that laser therapy eliminates only an aesthetic defect. Without drug treatment of the virus it will be useless.
Commentators often debate whether it is better to remove papillomas – nitrogen or laser. Many people lean towards the second method because it helps the first time.