Warts are not only a cosmetic defect, but also a sign of human papillomavirus infection and require treatment. There are several ways to get rid of tumors, but the most popular is laser papilloma removal. This method is considered the safest, it allows you to quickly remove the papilloma, and after removal there are almost no complications. But lasers are not a panacea and are not for everyone. Let’s take a look at how laser therapy is performed, and get acquainted with the advantages and disadvantages of the process.
What is laser therapy
Laser therapy involves exposing the neoplasm to light of a certain wavelength. Removal of papilloma results in:
- moisture evaporates from tumor cells;
- The cellular structure begins to deteriorate.
The light kills warts and does almost no damage to the epidermis. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia.
Advantages of technology
Specialists prefer laser to remove papilloma. Let's look at the main advantages of laser surgery:
- Low injury level. Depth light is selected individually, and only warts are removed during exposure without damaging the deeper layers of the epidermis.
- Anemia. The light rays cause coagulation (adhesion of the walls) of the vessels that supply the tumors, so there is no bleeding during the procedure.
- The risk of infection is low. Due to the fact that the vessels "stick", the likelihood of infection in the wound is minimal.
- Ability to remove papilloma anywhere on the human body.
- Absence of postoperative scars. According to medical recommendations for skin care, there are no traces of laser exposure. This allows you to get rid of papillomas on the neck, face and other exposed areas of the body, without the risk of getting bad scars.
- Short rehabilitation period. Traces of the intervention will heal in a week.
- Ability to eliminate tumors of various sizes. The size of the wart is not important in laser therapy.
- Relative painlessness. Most patients feel only warmth under the influence of light, and it is observed only in people with increased sensitivity to pain. Removal is performed under local anesthesia to eliminate pain or discomfort.
- Security. It is also allowed to get rid of papilloma in childhood.
Despite the fact that laser removal has advantages over other methods and is performed in many beauty salons, it is necessary to consult a doctor before removing the formation.
The need for consultation is to distinguish papillomas from other tumors and to identify possible contraindications.
Disadvantages and possible contradictions
Despite its safety, laser wart removal has several drawbacks:
- The formation of scars. This complication develops in people with low tissue regenerative capacity. Scars are rare in warts.
- Introduction of secondary infection. Improper care of the wound after laser removal can lead to infection of the wound surface, accompanied by swelling or pus.
- Allergies. There are no allergic reactions to the laser, but a reaction to anesthesia may occur. Manifestations can vary: from local hyperemia and edema to anaphylactic shock.
- High price. Laser removal of tumors caused by the HPV virus is performed for a fee, and the cost depends on the size of the wart and the number of devices.
- Unable to perform cytological examination. The laser completely destroys the wart cells, and if tissue degeneration is suspected, the removed papilloma should be examined.
In addition to the possible negative consequences of exclusion, there are absolute contraindications:
- endocrine disorders (thyroid disease, diabetes, etc. );
- growth of infectious and inflammatory processes at the site of localization of the skin;
- acute or exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- recent prolonged sun exposure or a visit to the solarium (should take place after 2 weeks of sunburn);
- oncological processes;
- pregnancy and lactation.
Before the procedure, the doctor examines the patient after removing the papilloma, identifying possible complications and contraindications. A doctor's consultation can help reduce the risk of complications.
What papillomas can be removed with a laser
Only a doctor can examine a patient for laser removal of papilloma. Almost all types of warts can be eliminated by laser destruction.
Laser therapy is indicated for the following types of wart structure:
- indecent;
- condylomata;
- vertebrae;
- flat;
- like a thread;
- thin leg.
Contraindications to the use of laser therapy - it is necessary to suspect pathological tissue damage and cytological examination. In this case, the removal is performed in a different way, which allows the storage of biomaterial for analysis.
Types of machines
There are several types of papilloma removal equipment:
- Contour TRL (Tunable Resurfacing Laser). It is one of the safest, equipped with a function of radiation regulation, which allows you to accurately calculate the depth of penetration into the tissues.
- Sciton mounted on a laser platform. The new technology allows to warm the deeper layers of the epidermis and destroy the skin cells that have been infected by the papillomavirus. In addition to removing warts, the device is used for cosmetic procedures.
- SmartXide DOT (Italy). It has a beneficial effect on the epidermis and is used not only to eliminate wart growth, but also to rejuvenate the skin (this is the process of "removing" the top layer of keratinous epithelium).
Doctors use a surgical scalpel as an alternative to laser beams with the help of various described devices to eliminate high-quality papilloma.
Laser removal is one of the least traumatic methods of wart removal. However, regardless of the safety of the procedure, it is necessary to consult a doctor before performing it to reduce the risk of side effects and identify contraindications.
The type of equipment purchased depends on the profile of the clinic (additional cosmetic services) and the financial capacity of the institution (the cost of equipment varies).
Preparing for the procedure
Laser removal of papilloma does not require special knowledge. But before going to the procedure, it is recommended:
- Detection of HPV strain. Some papillomaviruses are oncogenic.
- Show the dermatologist the wart shape. This is important when the papilloma changes color or shape. If the oncological process is suspected, cytological examination is required, which should not be performed after laser removal.
On the day of the procedure, the localized area of the wart should be washed and alcohol should not be consumed.
How is laser removal performed?
Laser removal is conventionally divided into several stages:
- antiseptic treatment of the skin surface;
- local anesthetic injection (if necessary);
- Layer laser evaporation of papilloma.
Skin tumors disappear in a short time (from a few seconds to a few minutes) and, as a rule, do not require re-treatment.
Several treatments may be needed only if the tumor is large. In this case, in order to reduce the damage to the epithelium, the wart is removed in layers over several days.
How to treat wounds after papilloma removal
To prevent complications after papilloma removal, doctors recommend the following:
- What to run. Wound healing oils or gels should be used and the postoperative wound should be rubbed with a weak manganese solution or calendula tincture. With low cell regeneration, a dermatologist should be consulted about how to treat the face after surgery to prevent scarring.
- What not to do after the procedure. It is strictly forbidden to peel off the wound or injure the wound. At the end of the regeneration process, the peel will fall off on its own, and it is recommended to seal the wart area with bactericidal plaster to prevent injury when rubbed with clothing. However, there is no need to constantly apply plaster - air must be introduced for the wound to heal completely.
After laser removal of papilloma, care is easy: the wound surface should not be damaged and the wound should be treated regularly with healing agents. At the risk of complications associated with the formation of scars, the doctor will make special recommendations on care for the wound after the procedure.
Rehabilitation period
Although the recovery period after laser removal is short, it is important to follow all the recommendations given by your doctor after laser removal of papillomas.
Typically, laser skin surface healing occurs one week after the procedure. To prevent the appearance of scars and scars, it is necessary to use the recommended drugs, not to try to loosen the formed crust.
In most patients, the membranes disappear within 7-10 days, but with the destruction of large wart structures, it may take longer. Once the crust has subsided, a smooth pink epidermis appears at the site of removal, which gradually acquires its normal color.
Is laser papilloma removal painful?
Most patients are afraid of the disease, and confidence in the absence of the disease is important for psychological comfort. The following can be said about laser therapy:
- only heat is felt at the site of laser action;
- Suspicious patients or people with skin sensitivities undergo laser removal under local anesthesia.
The removal time is short (maximum - a few minutes), and in the first days after removal, there is only a slight discomfort in the place of the wart, which disappears.
How much does it cost to service in clinics
The cost of papilloma removal depends on:
- reputation of the clinic;
- warts on any parts of the body (need "special treatment" for the face and genitals);
- size as well as other factors.