Laser removal of papillomas is practically painless and rarely causes complications. You can get rid of a cosmetic defect with one movement. But without further drug treatment, the tumors will reappear.
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 externally it looks unaesthetic.
HPV is found in many people's bodies and does not always manifest itself. Activated under conditions favorable to growth:
- promiscuous sex life;
- hormonal imbalance;
- reduced immunity;
- urogenital infections;
- permanent illnesses;
- inadequate diet.
Also, the appearance of papillomas is provoked by radiation therapy, inflammation in the body, poor hygiene, surgical operations, followed by prolonged use of antibiotics. The disease occurs in women, men and even in infants.
Papillomas are formed on any part of the body (genitals, eyelids, neck, hands, face). Also, growths appear on the mucous membranes (tongue, larynx, cheek). They will 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 generates radiation. In a few minutes, he cauterizes the papilloma of any area of the skin.
The beam acts precisely and does not affect the adjacent tissues.
The procedure is sterile and, when performed correctly, rarely causes side effects. Laser machines are equipped with a cooling tip that protects the surrounding tissue from burns.
To whom and when is it shown?
Growths are mostly not dangerous and are only cosmetic defects. Laser removal of papillomas can be postponed if they do not bother you.
Doctors recommend cauterization of 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 injure the growths. If the infection gets into 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 recurrences, dermatologists recommend drug therapy and then laser removal of all tumors.
Possible contraindications
Before removing the tumor, the doctor collects an anamnesis to identify possible contraindications. The procedure is not performed if:
- oncology;
- diabetes mellitus, blood coagulation disorders;
- epilepsy;
- photosensitivity of the skin;
- fever, inflammatory and infectious diseases;
- autoimmune pathologies, tendency to form keloid scars.
Laser removal of genital papillomas is not recommended during menstruation.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, consultation with a gynecologist is necessary, as local anesthesia is used during the procedure.
A dermatologist may refuse treatment to a patient who has a fresh complexion or has a tattoo at the site of the growth. Some commercial medical facilities require the opinion of a pediatrician, who must allow the child to remove the papilloma with a laser.
What laser is used
Equipment with continuous and pulsed radiation is suitable for tumor removal. The first option is optimal for cauterizing tumors on the body. A laser with powerful radiation instantly vaporizes the pathological cells. But due to intense exposure, a scar may remain.
Pulsed lasers are used to burn papillomas on the face, neck and hands. They act more superficially and leave no traces.
You can also perform the procedure yourself with a laser pen to remove papillomas. This portable coagulator has 6 power settings and can be charged via USB. The kit includes a wide needle and several thin disposable ones. But it is recommended to use the device only after consultation with a dermatologist and oncologist.
How is the laser removal of papillomas performed?
The protocol of 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
2 weeks before laser removal of papillomas, 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, you should take a blood test for sexually transmitted diseases, take a smear from the cervix (women) or the foreskin (men). The doctor may also refer the patient for biopsy, tissue histology and PCR diagnostics. If you receive unsatisfactory tests, laser removal will have to be postponed and undergo drug therapy first.
Technique
Cauterization of one papilloma takes 1-3 minutes depending on the size. Before the session, the doctor examines the tumor and determines the optimal power of the laser. The procedure proceeds as follows:
- The patient wears dark glasses with light filters to protect the eyes from accidental exposure.
- The skin is treated with an antiseptic and anesthetic ointment is applied for 15 minutes.
- The doctor points the tip of the laser at the tumor and vaporizes it layer by layer.
- After the therapy, the treated area of the skin is again disinfected and a band-aid is applied.
A small papilloma is removed in one session. If the growths are large and located all over the body, several procedures will be required. Laser removal of tumors in children is performed according to a similar protocol.
Is laser papilloma removal painful?
Without local anesthesia, the removal of papillomas with a laser will be painful. Before the procedure, the doctor treats the skin with anesthetic ointment or injects. After that, only a slight burning sensation is felt during the session.
Before removing growths from sensitive areas (intimate area, eyelids or feet), additional pain relief with drugs is recommended.
Rehabilitation period
Recovery will be quick if you follow your doctor's recommendations. The next day after the session, remove the adhesive 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 go away by itself in 1-1. 5 weeks. Try to wet your skin less often. Take a shower, not a bath. After bathing procedures, gently dry your body 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, bath or pool. Do not shave the treated area, rub with a towel, or use scrubs or other products with exfoliating particles. If the treatment was performed in the summer, you should not sunbathe on the beach or in the solarium.
Try not to expose your skin to direct sunlight and apply an SPF 30-50 cream before going outside. Delay physical activity to avoid excessive sweating. Avoid drinking alcohol.
After removing the papilloma from the genitals, it is not recommended to have sex until complete healing. Wash with intimate hygiene gel or mild baby soap. After the procedure, you must 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 can swell and hurt. The wound starts to fester when infected due to poor hygiene during rehabilitation. Also, a consequence of the removal of large growths is the formation of keloid scars.
After the laser, the papillomas may reappear in even greater numbers. This complication occurs 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 after a few months.
Comparison of laser removal with other methods
In addition to laser therapy, papillomas are burned with drugs 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 with a scalpel is also performed. Unlike the laser, this method causes heavy bleeding. A scar may remain on the affected area of skin. In addition, there is a high risk of infection in the wound.
Papillomas are removed using cryodestruction. The doctor applies a liquid nitrogen applicator 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. Because of this, relapses often occur.
Radiowave surgery using a special device is comparable in effectiveness to laser therapy. It removes growths, leaves no traces on the body and minimally damages the surrounding tissues.
Another effective method is electrocoagulation treatment. The doctor acts on the papilloma with a high-frequency electric current. During the session you can adjust the degree of impact. Bleeding and wound infection are excluded. But unlike the laser, the device injures the skin around the growth. Pits are sometimes left after the procedure.
The cost of treatment
The cost of laser papilloma removal starts at $2. 5 for 1 piece. The clinic sometimes reduces the cost if the patient cauterizes multiple growths. Facial and eyelid treatments will cost more. Anesthesia is paid for separately.
In big cities, the price for laser removal of papillomas on the neck (and other areas of the skin) is 30-50% higher.
Reviews of laser removal of papillomas
Reviews about the consequences of burning papillomas with a laser constantly appear on forums and sites of medical centers. The efficiency and speed of the procedure is noted. Due to the anesthesia, the patients felt almost no pain, but there was a burning smell. In most cases, the treatment helped to get rid of the defect. No scars remained, and the wounds healed quickly.
But almost everyone notes that laser therapy eliminates only an aesthetic defect. It will be useless without drug treatment of the virus.
Commentators often debate whether it is better to remove papillomas - nitrogen or laser. Many are inclined to the second method, because it helps the first time.