Laser removal of papillomas is almost painless and rarely causes complications. You can get rid of cosmetic defects in one go. But without additional drug treatment, the tumor will reappear.
Why does papilloma appear and why is it dangerous?
These benign lesions are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are soft to the touch and can be oval, 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 is not always obvious. It is activated under conditions suitable for growth:
- promiscuous sexual life;
- hormonal imbalance;
- reduce immunity;
- urogenital infection;
- 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 antibiotic use. This disease occurs in women, men and even babies.
Papilloma forms on any part of the body (genitals, eyelids, neck, hands, face). Also, growths appear on mucous membranes (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 tumors is laser therapy. The doctor uses a device that produces radiation. In a few minutes, it will burn the papilloma on any area of the skin.
The beam acts precisely and does not affect neighboring tissues.
The procedure is sterile and, when done correctly, rarely causes side effects. The laser machine is equipped with a cooling tip that protects the surrounding tissue from burning.
To whom and when is it shown?
The growths are most often harmless and only a cosmetic defect. Laser removal of papilloma can be delayed if it does not bother you.
Doctors recommend burning tumors that start to grow, bleed and hurt. It also needs to remove papillomas located on the face, scalp, and intimate areas. Someone constantly touches this area and can injure the tumor. If the infection gets into it through the smallest crack, severe inflammation will begin.
Due to the presence of viruses in the body, pathogenic cells divide uncontrollably, papillomas increase and can turn into malignant tumors. In cases of frequent relapses, dermatologists recommend drug therapy and then remove all tumors with a laser.
Possible contraindications
Before removing the 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;
- high temperature, inflammatory and infectious diseases;
- autoimmune pathology, tendency to form keloid scars.
Laser removal of genital papilloma is not recommended during menstruation.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, consultation with a gynecologist is required, as local anesthesia is used during the procedure.
Dermatologists may refuse to treat patients who have tanned skin or have tattoos in the growing area. Some commercial medical institutions 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 removing tumors. The first option is optimal for burning tumors on the body. A laser with strong radiation instantly vaporizes pathological cells. But due to intense exposure, scars may remain.
A pulsed laser is used to burn papillomas on the face, neck, and hands. They act more superficially and leave no impression.
You can also carry out the procedure yourself using a laser pen to remove papillomas. This portable coagulator has 6 power settings and is USB rechargeable. The kit includes a wide needle and several thin disposable needles. But it is recommended to use the device only after consulting a dermatologist and oncologist.
How is papilloma laser removal 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 papilloma laser removal, you should not sunbathe.
If the growth is on the face, exclude scrubs and chemical peels from your care. Try to use at least cosmetic products.
Before the session, you need to do a blood test for sexually transmitted diseases, take a smear from the cervix (women) or the foreskin (men). Doctors can also refer patients for biopsy, tissue histology and PCR diagnostics. If you receive an unsatisfactory test, laser removal should 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 is as follows:
- Patients wear 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 points the tip of the laser at the tumor and vaporizes it layer by layer.
- After therapy, the treated skin area is again disinfected and an adhesive plaster is applied.
Small papillomas are removed in one session. If the tumor is large and located throughout the body, several procedures will be required. Laser removal of tumors in children is carried out according to the same protocol.
Does it hurt to remove papillomas with a laser?
Without local anesthesia, it will be painful to remove the papilloma with a laser. Before the procedure, the doctor treats the skin with anesthetic ointment or gives an injection. After this, only a slight soreness is felt during the session.
Before removing tumors from sensitive areas (intimate areas, eyelids or soles of the feet), additional pain relief with medication is recommended.
Recovery 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 remove the scab to prevent infection. It will disappear by itself in 1-1. 5 weeks. Try to moisturize your skin less often. Take a shower, not a shower. After the shower procedure, gently dry your body with a towel. If the papilloma is on the face or eyelids, do not use cosmetics for 2 weeks.
During the recovery period, avoid visiting saunas, bathhouses or swimming pools. Do not shave the treated area, do not rub 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 out. Delay physical activity to avoid excessive sweating. Avoid drinking alcohol.
After the 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 are rare after laser therapy. If the doctor prescribes excessive power and miscalculates the exposure time, the damaged area may swell and become painful. Wounds start to fester when infected due to poor hygiene during recovery. Also, the result of the removal of large growths is the formation of keloid scars.
After the laser, papillomas may appear again in larger numbers. This complication occurs due to the intensive phase of the virus, when cauterization of the growth without additional therapy is ineffective.
A pink spot remains 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, 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 lasers, this method causes heavy bleeding. Scars may remain on the affected skin area. There is also a high risk of infection entering the wound.
Papilloma is removed using cryodestruction. The doctor uses an applicator with liquid nitrogen on the tumor for a few seconds. The growth darkens and soon disappears. This procedure is painless, but it is not possible to control the depth of the effect. Therefore, relapses often occur.
Radio wave surgery using a special device is comparable to the effectiveness of laser therapy. It removes tumors, leaves no traces on the body and damages the surrounding tissue to a minimum.
Another effective method is treatment with electrocoagulation. Doctors act on papillomas with high-frequency electric current. During the session, you can adjust the level of impact. Bleeding and wound infection are excluded. But, unlike lasers, the device injures the skin around the growth. After the procedure, the hole sometimes remains.
Treatment cost
The price of papilloma laser removal starts from $2. 5 per 1 piece. The clinic sometimes reduces the cost if the patient burns several tumors. Facial and eyelid treatments will be more expensive. Anesthesia is paid for separately.
In big cities, the price of removing papillomas on the neck with a laser (and in other skin areas) is 30-50% higher.
Reviews of papilloma laser removal
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 observed. Due to anesthesia, the patient experiences almost no pain, but there is a burning smell. In most cases, treatment helps to eliminate the defect. No scars remain, and the wound heals quickly.
But almost everyone states that laser therapy only removes aesthetic defects. It would be futile without drug treatment for the virus.
Commentators often discuss whether it is better to remove papillomas - nitrogen or laser. Many are inclined to the second method, because it helps the first time.