Laser removal of papillomas is virtually painless and rarely causes complications. You can get rid of a cosmetic defect in an instant. But without additional drug treatment, the tumors will reappear.
Why does papilloma appear and why is it dangerous?
These benign lesions are caused by 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 squeezed, but it looks unaesthetic.
HPV is present in the body of many people and does not always manifest itself. Activated under favorable conditions for growth:
- promiscuous sex life;
- hormonal imbalance;
- decreased immunity;
- urogenital infections;
- permanent illnesses;
- insufficient diet.
Also, the appearance of papillomas is provoked by surgical operations accompanied by radiation treatment, inflammation in the body, poor hygiene, long-term use of antibiotics. The disease occurs in women, men and even babies.
Papillomas appear anywhere on 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 may turn into cancer, such as cervical cancer.
Laser removal of papillomas
The least traumatic way to remove the tumor is laser therapy. The doctor uses a device that produces radiation. Burns papillomas in any area of the skin in a few minutes.
The beam moves precisely and does not affect neighboring tissues.
The procedure is sterile and, if performed correctly, rarely causes side effects. Laser devices are equipped with a cooling tip that protects surrounding tissues from burns.
To whom and when is it shown?
Growths are often not dangerous and are only cosmetic defects. Laser removal of papillomas can be postponed if you are not worried.
Doctors recommend burning tumors that start to grow, bleed and hurt. Papillomas located on the face, scalp, intimate area should also be removed. A person constantly touches these areas and can damage the growths. If the infection enters 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 treatment and then laser removal of all tumors.
Possible contraindications
Before removing a tumor, the doctor collects an anamnesis to determine possible contraindications. The procedure is not carried out if:
- oncology;
- diabetes mellitus, blood coagulation disorders;
- epilepsy;
- photosensitivity of the skin;
- high temperature, inflammatory and infectious diseases;
- autoimmune pathologies, tendency to the formation of keloid scars.
Laser removal of genital papillomas during menstruation is not recommended.
Consultation with a gynecologist is required during pregnancy and lactation, as local anesthesia is used during the procedure.
A dermatologist may refuse to treat a patient who has a tattoo in an area that has been recently darkened or has a growth. In some commercial medical institutions, the opinion of a pediatrician is required, who must allow a child to have a papilloma removed with a laser.
Which laser is used?
Equipment with continuous and pulsed radiation is suitable for tumor removal. The first option is optimal for burning tumors in the body. A laser with strong radiation instantly vaporizes 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 using a laser pen to remove papilloma. This portable coagulator has 6 power settings and is USB rechargeable. The set includes a wide needle and several thin needles. However, it is recommended to use the device only after consulting a dermatologist and oncologist.
How is laser removal of papillomas performed?
The protocol of the procedure does not depend on the type of laser and the location of the tumor.
Dos and don'ts before the procedure
You should not sunbathe 2 weeks before laser removal of papillomas.
If the growth is on the face, eliminate scrubs and chemical peels from your regimen. Try to use minimal cosmetic products.
Before the session, you should 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, laser removal should be postponed and drug treatment should be done first.
Technique
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 anesthetic ointment is applied for 15 minutes.
- The doctor directs the laser tip to 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 removal of papillomas painful?
Without local anesthesia, laser removal of papillomas 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
If you follow your doctor's advice, recovery will be quick. 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 pick at the peel to prevent infection. It will disappear by itself within 1-1, 5 weeks. Try to moisturize your skin less. Take a shower, take a bath. After bath procedures, gently dry your body with a towel. If the papilloma was on the face or eyelids, do not use cosmetics for 2 weeks.
Avoid visiting the sauna, bath or swimming pool during the rehabilitation period. Do not shave, wash, scrub, or use other products with abrasive particles on the treated area. 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 a cream with SPF 30-50 before going outside. Delay physical activity to avoid excessive sweating. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
After the papilloma is removed from the genitals, it is not recommended to have sex until it is completely healed. Wash with intimate hygiene gel or mild baby soap. After the procedure, definitely visit a gynecologist or urologist.
Possible complications
Complications after laser therapy are rare. If the doctor prescribes excessive force and miscalculates the exposure time, the damaged area may swell and cause damage. When the wound becomes infected, it begins to suppurate due to non-observance of hygiene rules during rehabilitation. Also, the result of removing large growths is the formation of keloid scars.
After the laser, papillomas may appear again in greater numbers. This complication occurs due to the intensive phase of the virus, 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 within 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 in the genitals, preparations containing podophyllotoxin are used. However, this method is less effective and does not exclude relapses.
Surgical removal with a scalpel is also performed. Unlike laser, this method causes heavy bleeding. A scar may remain on the affected area of the skin. There is also a high risk of infection.
Papillomas are removed by cryodestruction. The doctor applies a liquid nitrogen applicator to the tumor in a few seconds. The growth darkens and soon disappears. The procedure is painless, but it will be impossible to control the depth of the effect. Therefore, relapses often occur.
Radio wave surgery using a special device can be compared to laser therapy in terms of effectiveness. It removes growths, leaves no traces on the body and causes minimal damage to the surrounding tissues.
Another effective method is treatment with electrocoagulation. The doctor acts on the papilloma with a high-frequency electric current. You can adjust the degree of influence during the session. Bleeding and infection of the wound are excluded. But unlike the laser, the device damages the skin around the growth. Holes are sometimes left after the procedure.
Cost of treatment
The price of laser removal of papillomas starts from 2. 5 dollars per unit. If the patient burns several growths, the clinic sometimes reduces the cost. Treatment of the face and eyelids will cost more. Anesthesia is paid separately.
In big cities, the cost of laser removal of papillomas on the neck (and other areas of the skin) is 30-50% higher.
Reviews about laser removal of papillomas
On forums and on the websites of medical centers, reviews about the results of laser burning of papillomas constantly appear. The efficiency and speed of the procedure are noted. Due to anesthesia, patients felt practically no pain, but there was a burning smell. In most cases, the treatment helped to get rid of the defect. No scars remained, the wounds healed quickly.
But almost everyone noted that laser therapy only removes the aesthetic defect. The virus will be of no use without drug treatment.
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.