Warts are not only a cosmetic defect, but also a sign that the body is infected with papillomavirus and needs treatment. There are various ways to eliminate neoplasms, but the most popular is laser removal of papillomas. This method is considered one of the safest, it allows you to remove the papilloma quickly, and after its removal, complications almost never occur. But the laser is not a panacea and is not suitable for everyone. Let’s consider how laser therapy is performed, as well as get acquainted with the pros and cons of the process.
What is laser therapy
Laser therapy involves exposing a neoplasm to a beam of light with a specific wavelength. The following occurs when papillomas are removed:
- evaporation of moisture from the cells of the neoplasm;
- the cellular structure begins to deteriorate.
The light beam, which destroys the wart, almost does not hurt the epidermis. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis.
Advantages of technique
Specialists, choosing a method to remove papilloma, prefer laser. Let's consider the main benefits of laser surgery:
- Low injury rate. The depth of the beam is chosen individually, and during exposure only the wart is removed without injuring the deeper layers of the epidermis.
- Lack of blood. The light beam causes coagulation (adhesion of the walls) of the vessels that supply the neoplasm, so there is no bleeding during the procedure.
- Low risk of infection. Because the vessels are "stuck together", the resulting infection is unlikely to cause infection in the wound.
- The ability to remove papilloma anywhere in the human body.
- Lack of postoperative scars. Subject to medical recommendations for skin care, there are still no traces at the site of laser exposure. This makes it possible to get rid of papillomas on the neck, face and other exposed parts of the body without the risk of getting ugly scars.
- Short recovery period. The track heals from the intervention in a week.
- Ability to eliminate neoplasms of any size. The size of the wart is not the same as laser therapy.
- Relative pain. During the action of the light beam, most patients feel only heat, pain is observed only in people with increased sensitivity. To eliminate pain or discomfort, local anesthesia is performed.
- Safety. It is allowed to eliminate papillomas even in childhood.
Despite the advantages of laser removal from other methods and its use in many beauty salons, it is necessary to consult a doctor before removing the formulation.
The need for consultation is to differentiate papillomas from other neoplasms and identify potential contraindications.
Disadvantages and potential violations
Despite the safety, laser removal of warty growth has several disadvantages:
- Scar formation. This complex develops in people with low tissue regenerative capacity. Scars at the site of wart removal are rare.
- Accession of secondary infections. Improper wound care after laser removal results in infection of the wound surface, which is accompanied by edema or suppuration.
- Allergy. There is no allergic manifestation of the laser, but a reaction to anesthesia may develop. Manifestations can vary: from local hyperemia and edema to anaphylactic shock.
- High price. For neoplasms caused by the HPV virus, lasers are removed for a fee, and the cost depends on the size of the wart and the number of configurations.
- Inability to study cytology. With laser exposure, the cells of the warty gel are completely destroyed, and if tissue degradation is suspected, it is necessary to study the removed papilloma.
In addition to the potential negative consequences of involvement, there are complete violations:
- endocrine disruption (thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus, etc. );
- infectious and inflammatory processes of the skin at the localized site of growth;
- exacerbation of acute or chronic illnesses;
- recent prolonged exposure to the sun or a visit to the solarium (should last 2 weeks from the moment you get a tan);
- oncological processes;
- pregnancy and lactation.
Prior to the procedure, the doctor examines the patient, fixing possible complications after removal of the papilloma and the presence of contraindications. A consultation with a doctor helps reduce the risk of complications.
What are papillomas that can be removed with a laser
Is it dangerous to remove papillomas with a laser? Only the doctor will respond after examining the patient. Almost all types of warts can be removed by laser removal.
Laser therapy is indicated for the following types of warty formations:
- vulgar;
- condylomas;
- spines;
- apartment;
- threadlike;
- on a thin leg.
The suspicion of pathological degradation of tissues, and the need for cytological examination, is a violation of the use of laser therapy. In this case, the extraction is performed in a different way, which makes it possible to preserve the biometrics for analysis.
Types of machine
There are different types of equipment for removing papillomas:
- Contour TRL (Usable Resurfacing Lasers). It is considered one of the safest, equipped with a beam adjustment function, which allows you to accurately calculate the depth of penetration into the tissue.
- Sciton embedded in the laser platform. New technology allows the deep layers of the epidermis to heat up well, getting rid of the skin cells that transform the papillomavirus virus. In addition to eliminating warts, the device is used for cosmetic procedures.
- SmartXide DOT (Italy). It has a sparkling 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 the keratinized epitheliiam" takes place).
Doctors qualitatively attach papillomas to any of the devices described, using laser beams as an alternative to a surgical scalpel.
Laser eradication is considered to be one of the least traumatic methods to eliminate 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 cost differently).
Preparing for the procedure
Laser removal of papilloma does not require specialized training. But before you go through the procedure, it is recommended that:
- Find the HPV strain. Some papillomaviruses are oncogenically dangerous.
- Show your dermatologist a warty formulation. This is important when the color or shape of the papilloma changes. If there is a suspicion of an oncological process, a cytological examination is necessary, which cannot be done after laser removal.
On the day of the procedure, you must wash the localization site of the wart cleanly and without drinking alcohol.
How is laser removal done?
Laser erasure can be conditionally divided into several stages:
- antiseptic treatment on the surface of the skin;
- local anesthetic injection (if necessary);
- layer-by-layer laser evaporation of papilloma.
Skin neoplasms are eliminated in a short period of time (from a few seconds to a few minutes) and usually do not require resection.
Some treatments may only be necessary if the tumor is large. In this case, in order to reduce trauma to the epitheliiam, the wart is removed layer by layer for several days.
How to treat a wound after removing papillomas
To avoid complications after papilloma removal, doctors recommend the following:
- What a processing. It is necessary to use ointments or wound healing gels and wet the postoperative wound with a weak manganese solution or calendula tincture. With low cell regeneration, you need to consult a dermatologist about how to treat the postoperative surface in order to avoid scarring.
- What not to do after the procedure. Removal or injury to the crust formed at the site is strictly prohibited. The crust will come out on its own after the regeneration process is complete, and in order to avoid injury while rubbing with clothes, it is recommended to glue the area where the wart is removed with bactericidal plaster. But you do not always have to walk with the plaster - the wound needs air access for complete healing.
After laser papilloma removal, it is easy to care for: you only need to injure the surface of the wound and treat it regularly with wound healing agents. At the risk of complications of scar formation, 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 erasure is short, it is important to follow all the recommendations given by the doctor after laser removal of papillomas.
Healing of the laser-treated skin surface usually 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 remove the formed crust.
In most patients, the crusts disappear in about 7-10 days, and with the destruction of large warty formations, it may take longer. After the crust falls out, a smooth pink epidermis is visible at the point of removal, which gradually takes on a normal color.
Is it painful to remove papilloma with a laser
Most patients are afraid of pain, and confidence in the absence of pain is important for psychological comfort. The following can be said about laser therapy:
- only feels heat instead of laser action;
- Suspected patients or people with skin hypersensitivity are removed with a laser under local anesthesia.
The removal time is short (maximum - a few minutes), and only slight discomfort is felt at the site of the removed wart, which disappears in the first days after destruction.
How much does the service cost in clinics
The cost of removing papillomas depends on the following:
- the reputation of the clinic;
- on the parts of the body that are warts (requires a "special approach" for the face and genitals);
- size, as well as other factors.