Laser removal of papillomas is almost painless and rarely causes complications. You can get rid of a cosmetic defect in one go. But without additional 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 it looks unaesthetic from the outside.
HPV is found in the bodies of many people and does not always manifest itself. It is activated in conditions favorable for growth:
- promiscuous sex life;
- hormonal imbalance;
- reduced immunity;
- urogenital infections;
- permanent illnesses;
- inadequate nutrition.
Also, the appearance of papillomas is caused by radiation, inflammation in the body, poor hygiene, surgical operations followed by long-term use of antibiotics. The disease occurs in women, men and even infants.
Papillomas are formed on any part of the body (genitals, eyelids, neck, hands, face). Growths also appear on the mucous membranes (tongue, larynx, cheek). 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 tumors is laser therapy. The doctor uses a device that creates radiation. In a few minutes, it cauterizes papillomas on any part of the skin.
The beam works precisely and does not affect neighboring tissues.
The procedure is sterile and, when performed properly, rarely causes side effects. Laser devices are equipped with a cooling tip that protects the surrounding tissue from burns.
To whom and when is it shown?
Growths are usually not dangerous and represent only cosmetic defects. Laser removal of papillomas can be postponed if they do not bother you.
Doctors recommend cauterizing tumors that start 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 enters them through the smallest cracks, severe inflammation begins.
Due to the presence of viruses in the body, pathogenic cells divide uncontrollably, papillomas increase and can grow into a malignant tumor. In the case of frequent recurrences, dermatologists recommend drug therapy, followed by laser removal of all tumors.
Possible contraindications
Before removing the tumor, the doctor collects the medical history to identify possible contraindications. The procedure is not carried out if:
- oncology;
- diabetes mellitus, blood clotting disorders;
- epilepsy;
- skin photosensitivity;
- elevated temperature, inflammatory and infectious diseases;
- autoimmune pathologies, tendency to create keloid scars.
Laser removal of genital papillomas is not recommended during menstruation.
Consultation with a gynecologist is required during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as local anesthesia is used during the procedure.
A dermatologist may refuse to treat a patient who has a fresh tan or tattoo in the area with the growth. Some commercial medical facilities require the opinion of a pediatrician, who must allow the child to have papillomas removed with a laser.
Which laser is used
Equipment with continuous and pulse radiation is suitable for tumor removal. The first option is optimal for cauterization of tumors on the body. A laser with powerful radiation instantly vaporizes pathological cells. But due to intense exposure, a scar may remain.
Pulsed lasers are used for cauterization of papillomas on the face, neck and hands. They behave more superficially and leave no traces.
You can perform the procedure yourself using a laser pen for papilloma removal. 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 laser removal of papillomas performed?
The intervention protocol 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 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 minimal amount 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 foreskin (men). The doctor may also refer the patient for biopsy, tissue histology and PCR diagnostics. If you get unsatisfactory tests, the laser removal will have to be postponed and you will have to 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 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 anesthetic ointment is applied for 15 minutes.
- The doctor directs the tip of the laser at the tumor and vaporizes it layer by layer.
- After the therapy, the treated skin area is disinfected again and an adhesive patch 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 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 that, only a slight burning sensation is felt during the session.
Before removing growths from sensitive areas (intimate area, eyelids or soles), additional pain relief with medication is recommended.
Rehabilitation period
Recovery will be fast if you follow the doctor's recommendations. The next day after the session, remove the adhesive patch and treat the wound with an antiseptic or a saturated solution of potassium permanganate.
Repeat the process twice a day and then apply any medicated ointment to the skin.
Do not scratch or remove the scab to avoid infection. It will go away by itself in 1-1. 5 weeks. Try moisturizing your skin less often. Take a shower, don't bathe. After bathing, 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 visits to the sauna, bath or swimming pool. Do not shave the treated area, do not scrub with a washcloth, or use scrubs or other products with exfoliating particles. If the treatment is 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 a cream with SPF 30-50 before going outside. Delay physical activity to avoid excessive sweating. Avoid drinking alcohol.
After removal of 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 much power and miscalculates the exposure time, the damaged area can swell and hurt. The wound begins to fester 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 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. It will fade after 4-5 days and disappear completely in a few months.
Comparison of laser removal with other methods
Along with 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 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 profuse 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.
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 tissue.
Another effective method is electrocoagulation treatment. The doctor works on papillomas 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 injures the skin around the growths. Pits are sometimes left after the procedure.
Treatment costs
The price of laser papilloma removal starts at $2. 50 per piece. The clinic sometimes reduces costs if the patient cauterizes multiple growths. Facial and eyelid treatment will cost more. Anesthesia is paid for separately.
In big cities, the price of laser removal of papillomas on the neck (and on other parts 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 websites of medical centers. The efficiency and speed of the procedure is noted. Due to the anesthesia, the patients felt practically no pain, but the smell of burning could be felt. In most cases, treatment helped to get rid of the defect. No scars remained, and the wounds healed quickly.
But almost everyone noticed that laser therapy removes only an aesthetic defect. It will be useless without treating the virus with drugs.
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.