Warts are not only a cosmetic defect, but also a sign that the body is infected with the papilloma virus and that treatment is needed. There are several ways to remove neoplasms, but the most popular is laser papilloma removal. This method is considered one of the safest, it allows you to quickly remove papillomas, and after the removal, complications almost never happen. But laser is not a cure and is not suitable for everyone. Let's consider how laser therapy is carried out, as well as to get acquainted with the advantages and disadvantages of the process.
What is laser therapy
Laser therapy involves exposing the neoplasm to a light beam of a certain wavelength. When removing a papilloma, the following occurs:
- moisture evaporates from neoplasm cells;
- the cell structure begins to decay.
The light beam, destroying the nipple, hardly damages the epidermis. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia.
Advantages of the technique
Specialists, choosing a method for removing papillomas, prefer a laser. Consider the main advantages of laser surgery:
- Low injury rate. The depth of the beam is chosen individually, and during the exposure, only the wart is eliminated without injuring the deeper layers of the epidermis.
- Bloodlessness. The light beam causes coagulation (adhesion of the walls) of the blood vessels that supply the neoplasm, so there is no bleeding during the procedure.
- Low risk of infection. Due to the fact that the veins "stick together", the likelihood of infection in the resulting wound is minimal.
- The ability to remove papillomas anywhere in the human body.
- Lack of postoperative scars. Subject to medical recommendations for skin care, no traces remain at the site of laser exposure. This allows you to get rid of papillomas on the neck, face and other exposed parts of the body without the risk of ugly scars.
- Short period of rehabilitation. The trace of the intervention heals in a week.
- Ability to remove neoplasms of any size. With laser therapy, the size of the nipple does not matter.
- Relative painlessness. During the action of the light beam, most patients feel only heat, pain is recorded only in people with increased sensitivity. To remove pain or discomfort, removal is performed under local anesthesia.
- Security. Papilloma removal is allowed even 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 neoplasms and to determine possible contraindications.
Disadvantages and possible contraindications
Despite its safety, laser removal of wart growths has several disadvantages:
- Scar formation. This complication develops in people with low tissue regenerative capacity. Scars at the site of the removed wart are rare.
- Approach of secondary infection. Improper wound care after laser removal leads to infection of the wound surface, which is accompanied by edema or suppuration.
- Allergy. There are no allergic manifestations to the laser, but a reaction to anesthesia may develop. Manifestations can be different: from local hyperemia and edema to anaphylactic shock.
- High price. For neoplasms caused by the HPV virus, laser removal is performed for a fee, and the price depends on the size of the nipple and the number of formations.
- Impossibility to conduct a cytological study. By exposing the cells to the laser, the nipple formations are completely destroyed, and if tissue degeneration is suspected, it is necessary to study the removed papillae.
In addition to the possible negative consequences of removal, there are absolute contraindications:
- endocrine disorders (thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus, etc. );
- infectious and inflammatory processes of the skin at the site of localization of the growth;
- acute illness or exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- recently prolonged sun exposure or a visit to the solarium (it should be 2 weeks from the moment you tan);
- oncological processes;
- pregnancy and lactation.
Before the procedure, the doctor examines the patient, determining possible complications after papilloma removal and the presence of contraindications. Consultations with a doctor help reduce the risk of complications.
Which papillomas can be removed with a laser
Is it dangerous to remove papillomas with a laser? Only the doctor will answer after examining the patient. Almost all types of warts can be removed by laser destruction.
Laser therapy is indicated for the following types of wart formations:
- vulgar;
- condyloma;
- thorns;
- apartment;
- threadlike;
- on a thin leg.
Contraindication for the use of laser therapy is the suspicion that pathological tissue degeneration has occurred and cytological examination is necessary. In this case, the removal is carried out in a different way, which allows the preservation of biomaterial for analysis.
Types of machines
There are several types of papilloma removal equipment:
- Contour TRL (adjustable surface restoration laser). It is considered one of the safest, equipped with an air adjustment function, which allows you to accurately calculate the depth of penetration into the tissue.
- Sciton built into the laser platform. The new technology enables good heating of the deep layers of the epidermis, removing skin cells altered by the papilloma virus. In addition to removing warts, the device is also used for cosmetic procedures.
- SmartXide DOT (Italy). It has a sparing effect on the epidermis and is used not only to remove warty growths, but also to rejuvenate the skin (while the process of "removing" the upper layer of keratinized epithelium occurs).
Doctors qualitatively remove papillomas with any of the described devices, using laser beams as an alternative to a surgical scalpel.
Laser destruction is considered one of the less traumatic methods for removing warts. But, despite 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 provision of cosmetic services) and the financial capabilities of the institution (devices vary in price).
Preparation for the procedure
Laser papilloma removal does not require specialized training. But before you start the procedure, it is recommended:
- Determine the strain of HPV. Some of the papilloma viruses are oncogenic.
- Show the wart formation to a dermatologist. This is important when the color or shape of the papilloma changes. If the oncological process is suspected, a cytological examination is necessary, which cannot be done after laser elimination.
On the day of the procedure, it is necessary to clean the place of localization of the nipple and not to drink alcohol.
How is laser removal performed?
Laser destruction can be conditionally divided into several stages:
- antiseptic treatment of skin surface;
- injection of local anesthetic (if necessary);
- layer by layer laser evaporation of the papilloma.
Skin neoplasms are eliminated in a short period of time (from a few seconds to a few minutes) and usually do not require re-treatment.
Several treatments may be needed only if the tumor is large. In this case, in order to reduce the epithelial trauma, the wart is removed layer by layer for several days.
How to treat wounds after papilloma removal
To avoid complications after papilloma removal, doctors give the following recommendations:
- What to process. It is necessary to use ointments or gels to heal wounds and wipe the postoperative wound with a weak solution of manganese or marigold tincture. With low cell regeneration it is necessary to consult a dermatologist on how to treat the postoperative surface to avoid scarring.
- What not to do after the procedure. It is strictly forbidden to peel the resulting crust at the site of removal or injure the wound. The bark will fall off on its own after the regeneration process is completed, and to avoid injuries when rubbing with clothes, it is recommended that you apply a bactericidal patch to the area where the wart is removed. But you don’t have to walk with a cast all the time - the wound needs air access for complete healing.
After laser papilloma removal, it is simple: you just do not need to injure the wound surface and treat it regularly with wound healing agents. In case of danger of complications associated with scarring, the doctor gives special recommendations on how to care for the wound after the procedure.
Rehabilitation period
Despite the fact that the recovery period after laser destruction is short, it is important to follow all the recommendations of the doctor after laser papilloma removal.
As a rule, healing of the laser-treated skin surface occurs one week after the procedure. To prevent the appearance of scars and scars, it is necessary to use the recommended medications and not try to peel off the resulting crust.
In most patients, the crusts disappear in 7-10 days, and it can take longer with the destruction of large wart formations. After the crust has fallen off, a smooth pink epidermis is visible at the site of removal, which gradually takes on a normal color.
Is it painful to remove the papilla with a laser
Most patients are afraid of pain, and self-confidence in the absence of pain 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 hypersensitivity undergo laser removal under local anesthesia.
The removal time is short (maximum - a few minutes), and only a slight discomfort is felt at the site of the removed nipple, which disappears in the first days after destruction.
How much does a service in clinics cost?
The cost of papilloma removal depends on the following:
- the reputation of the clinic;
- on which parts of the body are the warts (for the face and genitals requires a "special approach");
- size, as well as other factors.