Laser removal of papillomas is practically painless and rarely causes complications. You can get rid of a cosmetic defect with one move. But without additional drug treatment, the tumors will appear again.
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 shade matches the skin or is slightly darker. The growth does not hurt when pressed, but from the outside it looks unaesthetic.
HPV is found in many people's bodies and does not always appear. It is activated in favorable conditions for growth:
- promiscuous sex life;
- hormonal imbalance;
- reduced immunity;
- urogenital infections;
- persistent illness;
- inadequate diet.
Also, the appearance of papillomas is provoked by radiation treatment, 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 on any part of the body (genitals, eyelids, neck, hands, face). Also, growths appear on the mucous membrane (tongue, larynx, cheeks). They will 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 few minutes it cauterizes the papilloma in any area of the skin.
The beam acts precisely and does not affect the neighboring 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 does it appear?
Most often, growths are 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 damage the growths. If an 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 grow and can turn into a malignant tumor. In case of frequent relapses, 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;
- skin photosensitivity;
- elevated temperature, inflammatory and infectious diseases;
- autoimmune pathology, tendency to form keloid scars.
Laser removal of genital papillomas is not recommended during menstruation.
During pregnancy and lactation, consultation with the gynecologist is required, because local anesthesia is used during the procedure.
A dermatologist may refuse to treat a patient who has a fresh tan or has a tattoo in the area with growth. Some commercial medical institutions require the opinion of a pediatrician, who must allow the child to remove a papilloma with a laser.
What laser is used
Devices with continuous and pulsed radiation are suitable for removing tumors. The first option is optimal for cauterization of tumors in the body. A laser with powerful radiation immediately vaporizes the 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 leave no trace.
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 some disposable tips. But it is recommended to use the device only after consulting a dermatologist and oncologist.
How is laser removal of papillomas performed?
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
2 weeks before the laser removal of papillomas, you should not sunbathe.
If the growth is on the face, exclude scrubs and chemical peeling from your care. Try to use a minimum of cosmetic products.
Before the session, you should take a blood test for sexually transmitted diseases, make a smear from the cervix (women) or foreskin (men). The doctor may also refer the patient for a biopsy, tissue histology and PCR diagnosis. If you receive unsatisfactory tests, laser removal will have to be postponed and first undergo drug therapy.
Technique
Cauterization of a 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 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 points the laser tip at the tumor and vaporizes it layer by layer.
- After the therapy, the treated area of the skin is disinfected again and an adhesive plaster is applied.
A small papilloma is removed in one session. If the growths are large and located throughout 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, laser papilloma removal will be painful. Before the procedure, the doctor treats the skin with an anesthetic ointment or gives an injection. After that, only a slight burning sensation is felt during the session.
Before removing growths from sensitive areas (intimate area, eyelids or soles of the feet), additional pain relief with medication is recommended.
Rehabilitation period
Healing will be fast if you follow your doctor's recommendations. The 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 remove the scab to avoid infection. It will go away on its own in 1-1. 5 weeks. Try to moisturize 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 swimming pool. Do not shave the treated area, rub it with a washcloth, or use scrubs or other products with exfoliating particles. If the treatment was carried out 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 SPF 30-50 cream before going outside. Avoid 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 recovery. 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 applies too much power and miscalculates the exposure time, the damaged area can swell and hurt. The wound starts to get irritated when it becomes infected due to poor hygiene during rehabilitation. Also, the consequence of removing large growths is the formation of keloid scars.
After the laser, papillomas can appear again 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 in a few months.
Comparison of laser removal with other methods
In addition to laser therapy, the papilloma is cauterized with medications containing salicylic acid or cantharidin. After 2-3 days, the formation heals and disappears. During the removal of growths on the genitals, preparations with podophyllotoxin are used. But this method is less effective and does not exclude relapse.
Surgical removal is also done with a scalpel. Unlike the 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 using cryodestruction. The doctor places a liquid nitrogen applicator on the tumor for a few seconds. The growth darkens and quickly 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 the surrounding tissues.
Another effective method is electrocoagulation treatment. The doctor acts on the papilloma with high-frequency electric current. During the session, you can adjust the degree of influence. Bleeding and wound infection are excluded. But, unlike the laser, the device damages the skin around the growth. After the procedure, pits sometimes remain.
Cost of treatment
The price of laser removal of papillomas starts from 2. 5 dollars for 1 piece. The clinic sometimes reduces the cost if the patient cauterizes multiple growths. Facial and eyelid treatment will cost more. Anesthesia is paid separately.
In big cities, the price of laser removal of papillomas on the neck (and other areas of the skin) is 30-50% 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 is noted. Due to the anesthesia, the patients experienced practically no pain, but there was a burning smell. In most cases, the treatment helped eliminate the defect. There were no scars left and the wounds healed quickly.
But almost everyone noticed that laser therapy eliminates only an aesthetic defect. It will be useless without drug treatment for the virus.
Commentators often discuss whether it is better to remove papillomas - nitrogen or laser. Many are inclined towards the second method, because it helps the first time.