Laser removal of papillomas is practically painless and rarely causes complications. You can eliminate a cosmetic defect in one go. But without further 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 your skin or is slightly darker. Growth does not hurt when pressed, but outwardly it looks unsightly.
HPV is found in the bodies of many people and does not always manifest itself. It is activated in conditions favorable to 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 of the body, poor hygiene, surgical operations followed by long-term use of antibiotics. The disease occurs in women, men and even children.
Papillomas form on any part of the body (genitals, eyelids, neck, hands, face). In addition, growths appear on the mucous membranes (tongue, larynx, cheek). They do not go away on their own and can turn 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 the papilloma on any area of the skin.
The beam acts precisely and does not affect nearby tissues.
The procedure is sterile and, if 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 is it shown?
In most cases the growths are 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 hurt the growths. If an infection penetrates 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 removal of all tumors with laser.
Possible contraindications
Before removing a tumor, the doctor collects a medical history to identify possible contraindications. The procedure is not performed if:
- oncology;
- diabetes mellitus, blood clotting disorders;
- epilepsy;
- skin photosensitivity;
- high temperature, inflammatory and infectious diseases;
- autoimmune diseases, tendency to form keloid scars.
Laser removal of papillomas on the genitals is not recommended during menstruation.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, consultation with a gynecologist is necessary, since local anesthesia is used during the procedure.
A dermatologist may refuse to treat a patient who has a new tan or who has a tattoo on the area with the growth. Some commercial medical institutions require the opinion of a pediatrician, who must allow the child to remove a papilloma with a laser.
Which 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 do 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 disposables. But it is recommended to use the device only after consulting a dermatologist and an oncologist.
How is laser removal of papillomas performed?
The procedure 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 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 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 a biopsy, tissue histology, and PCR diagnostics. If you receive unsatisfactory examinations, laser removal will have to be postponed and undergo drug therapy first.
Technique
Cauterizing a 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:
- 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 the therapy, the treated skin area 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 necessary. Laser removal of tumors in children is performed according to a similar protocol.
Is it painful to remove papillomas with 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. Afterwards only a slight burning sensation is felt during the session.
Before removing growths from sensitive areas (intimate area, eyelids or sole of the foot), it is recommended to further relieve pain with medications.
Rehabilitation period
Recovery will be quick 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, 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 bathing your skin less often. Take a shower, not 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.
During the rehabilitation period, avoid visiting the sauna, bathhouse or swimming pool. Do not shave the treated area, scrub with a cloth, or use scrubs or other products with exfoliating particles. If the treatment was carried out in summer, do 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. 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 exposure time, the damaged area may swell and hurt. The wound begins to worsen when it becomes 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 can recur in even greater numbers. This complication occurs due to the intensive phase of the virus, when cauterization of growth without additional therapy is ineffective.
At the site of the removed papilloma, pink spots remain. 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 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 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 getting into 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.
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 tissues.
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 wound infection are excluded. But, unlike the 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 for 1 piece. The clinic sometimes reduces costs if the patient cauterizes multiple growths. Facial and eyelid treatment will cost more. Anesthesia is paid separately.
In large cities, the price for removing papillomas on the neck with laser (and other areas of the skin) is 30-50% higher.
Reviews on laser removal of papillomas
Reviews about the consequences of burning papillomas with a laser constantly appear on the forums and websites of medical centers. The effectiveness and speed of the procedure is noted. Thanks to the anesthesia, the patients felt virtually no pain, but they smelled a burning odor. In most cases, treatment helped eliminate the defect. There were no more scars and the wounds healed quickly.
But almost everyone noticed that laser therapy only eliminates the cosmetic defect. It will be useless without drug treatment of 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.