Laser removal of papillomas is virtually painless and rarely causes complications. You can get rid of a cosmetic defect in one go. 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 oblong, round or flat. The shade matches the skin or is slightly darker. The growth does not hurt when pressed, but outwardly 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 sexual life;
- hormonal imbalance;
- reduced immunity;
- urogenital infections;
- constant illnesses;
- 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 infants.
Papillomas form 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, 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 papilloma on any area of the skin.
The beam acts precisely and does not affect neighboring tissues.
The procedure is sterile and, when performed 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 are most often not dangerous and are only 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 located on the face, scalp, and intimate area. A person constantly touches these areas and can injure 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 increase and can turn into a malignant tumor. In case of frequent relapses, dermatologists recommend drug therapy and then removing all tumors with a laser.
Possible contraindications
Before removing a tumor, the doctor collects an anamnesis 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 form keloid scars.
Laser removal of papillomas on the genitals is not recommended during menstruation.
During pregnancy and lactation, consultation with a 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 on the area with the growth. Some commercial medical institutions require a pediatrician's opinion, who must allow the child to have a 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 on 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 leave no traces.
You can also carry out the procedure yourself using a laser pen to remove papilloma. This portable coagulator has 6 power settings and is USB rechargeable. The kit includes a wide needle and several thin 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 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 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 need to do a blood test for sexually transmitted diseases, take a smear from the cervix (women) or foreskin (men). The doctor can also refer the patient for a biopsy, tissue histology and PCR diagnostics. If you receive unsatisfactory tests, laser removal will have to be postponed and first undergo drug therapy.
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 an anesthetic ointment is applied for 15 minutes.
- The doctor points the laser tip at the tumor and evaporates it layer by layer.
- After therapy, the treated area of skin is again disinfected 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 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 an 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 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 off the scab to avoid infection. It will go away on its own in 1-1. 5 weeks. Try to wet your skin less often. Take a shower, not a bath. After bath procedures, 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, do not scrub 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 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 sex 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 excessive power and incorrectly calculates the time of exposure, the damaged area may swell and hurt. The wound begins 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, papillomas may 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 completely disappear 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 with a scalpel is also performed. Unlike laser, this method causes heavy 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 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 by electrocoagulation. The doctor acts on the papilloma with high-frequency electric current. During the session, you can adjust the degree of impact. Bleeding and infection of the wound are excluded. But, unlike a laser, the device injures 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 per 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 removing papillomas on the neck with a laser (and on 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 out papillomas with a laser. The effectiveness and speed of the procedure are noted. Due to anesthesia, the patients experienced virtually no pain, but there was a burning smell. In most cases, treatment helped get rid of the defect. There were no scars left, and the wounds healed quickly.
But almost everyone noted 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.