Warts are not only a cosmetic defect, but also a sign that the body is infected with the papilloma virus and requires treatment. There are several ways to eliminate neoplasms, but the most popular is laser removal of papillomas. This method is considered one of the safest, allows you to quickly remove the papilloma, and complications after removal are almost absent. But laser is not a panacea and is not suitable for everyone. Let's consider how laser therapy is done, as well as learn about the advantages and disadvantages of the process.
what is laser therapy
Laser therapy involves exposing a neoplasm to a beam of light with a specific wavelength. When removing papillomas, the following occurs:
- moisture evaporates from the cells of the neoplasm;
- cellular structure begins to deteriorate.
The light beam that destroys warts almost does not damage the epidermis. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis.
Advantages of the technique
Choosing a method for removing the papilloma, specialists prefer a laser. Let's consider the main advantages of laser surgery:
- Low injury rate. The depth of the beam is selected individually, and only the wart is eliminated during exposure, without damaging the deeper layers of the epidermis.
- Anemia. The light beam causes coagulation (adhesion of the walls) of the vessels feeding the neoplasm, so there is no bleeding during the procedure.
- Low risk of infection. Due to the "gluing" of the vessels, the probability of infection in the resulting wound is minimal.
- The ability to remove the papilloma in any part of the human body.
- Lack of postoperative scarring. Subject to medical recommendations for skin care, no scars are left on the laser exposed area. 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 rehabilitation period. The scar of the intervention heals within a week.
- The ability to eliminate neoplasms of any size. With laser treatment, the size of the wart is not important.
- Relative painlessness. During the action of the light beam, most patients feel only warmth, pain occurs only in people with increased sensitivity. Removal is done under local anesthesia to relieve pain or discomfort.
- Safety. It is allowed to eliminate papillomas even in childhood.
Although laser hair 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 identify possible contraindications.
Disadvantages and possible contraindications
Despite the safety, laser removal of wart growths has several disadvantages:
- Scar formation. This complication develops in people with low tissue regenerative capacity. Scars on the site of a removed wart are rare.
- The involvement of a secondary infection. Improper wound care after laser removal leads to infection of the wound surface with edema or suppuration.
- Allergy. There are no allergic manifestations to the laser, but a reaction to anesthesia may develop. Symptoms can be different: from local hyperemia and edema to anaphylactic shock.
- High price. Laser removal for neoplasms caused by the HPV virus is carried out for a fee, and the cost depends on the size of the wart and the number of occurrences.
- Inability to conduct a cytological study. With laser exposure, the cells of the wart formation are completely destroyed, and if tissue degeneration is suspected, it is necessary to examine the removed papilloma.
In addition to the possible negative consequences of lifting, there are absolute contraindications:
- endocrine disorders (thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus, etc. );
- infectious and inflammatory processes of the skin in the localization zone of the growth;
- acute diseases or exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- prolonged exposure to the sun or a visit to a solarium (2 weeks should pass from the moment you tan);
- oncological processes;
- pregnancy and lactation.
Before the procedure, the doctor examines the patient, determines possible complications after removal of the papilloma and the presence of contraindications. A doctor's consultation helps reduce the risk of complications.
What 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 using laser destruction.
Laser therapy is indicated for the following types of wart formation:
- rude;
- condylomas;
- spines;
- straight;
- fibrous;
- on a slender leg.
A contraindication to the use of laser therapy is suspicion that a pathological degeneration of tissues has occurred and cytological examination is required. In this case, the extraction is carried out in a different way, which makes it possible to preserve the biomaterial for analysis.
machine types
There are several types of equipment for removing papillomas:
- Contour TRL (Adjustable Resurfacing Laser). It is considered one of the safest, equipped with a beam adjustment function that allows you to accurately calculate the depth of penetration into the tissue.
- Sciton embedded in the laser platform. The new technology makes it possible to thoroughly warm the deep layers of the epidermis, eliminating skin cells replaced by the papilloma virus. In addition to eliminating warts, the device is used for cosmetic procedures.
- SmartXide DOT (Italy). It has a protective effect on the epidermis and is used not only to remove wart growths, but also to rejuvenate the skin (while the process of "removing" the upper layer of the keratinized epithelium takes place).
Doctors qualitatively remove papillomas with any of the described devices, using laser beams as an alternative to a surgical scalpel.
Laser removal is considered one of the less traumatic methods of removing warts. However, despite the safety of the procedure, it is necessary to consult a doctor before applying it to reduce the risk of side effects and identify contraindications.
The type of equipment purchased depends on the profile of the clinic (providing additional cosmetic services) and the financial capabilities of the institution (the cost of devices differs).
Preparing for the procedure
Laser removal of the papilloma does not require special training. But before going to the procedure, it is recommended:
- Determine the HPV type. Some of the papillomaviruses are oncogenically dangerous.
- Show a warty formation to a dermatologist. This is important when the color or shape of the papilloma changes. If an oncological process is suspected, cytological examination is required, which cannot be done after laser elimination.
On the day of the procedure, you should clean the area of localization of the wart and do not drink alcohol.
How is laser hair removal done?
Laser destruction can be conditionally divided into several stages:
- antiseptic treatment of the skin surface;
- injection of local anesthetic (if necessary);
- Laser evaporation of the papilloma layer by layer.
Skin neoplasms are eliminated in a short time (from a few seconds to several minutes) and retreatment is usually not required.
Several treatments may be needed only if the tumor is large. In this case, layer-by-layer removal of the wart is carried out over several days to reduce trauma to the epithelium.
How to treat wounds after removing papillomas
To avoid complications after removal of the papilloma, doctors give the following recommendations:
- What to handle. It is necessary to use wound-healing ointments or gels, and after surgery to wipe the wound with a weak solution of manganese or tincture of calendula. With low cell regeneration, you need to consult a dermatologist on how to treat the surface after surgery to prevent scarring.
- What not to do after the procedure. It is strictly forbidden to peel off the crust formed at the extraction site or injure the wound. After the regeneration process is completed, the crust will fall off on its own, and it is recommended to glue the wart removal site with a bactericidal plaster to prevent injury when rubbing with clothes. But you do not need to constantly walk in a cast - the wound needs air access for full healing.
Care after laser removal of the papilloma is easy: you just need not to damage the wound surface and regularly treat it with wound-healing agents. At the risk of complications associated with the formation of scars, the doctor gives specific recommendations on how to care for the wound after the procedure.
rehabilitation period
Despite the short recovery period after laser destruction, it is important to follow all the recommendations given by the doctor after laser removal of papillomas.
As a rule, the healing of the skin surface treated with the laser occurs a week after the procedure. In order to prevent the appearance of scars and scars, it is necessary to use the recommended drugs and not to try to peel off the formed crust.
In most patients, the crusts disappear within 7-10 days and may take more time with the removal of large wart formations. After the crust falls off, a smooth pink epidermis appears at the site of removal, which gradually acquires a normal color.
Is it painful to remove papilloma with laser?
Most patients fear pain, and confidence in the absence of pain is important for psychological comfort. The following can be said about laser therapy:
- instead of laser action only heat is felt;
- Suspicious patients or people with hypersensitivity of the skin are removed by laser under local anesthesia.
The removal time is short (maximum - a few minutes), and only a slight discomfort is felt in the area of the removed wart, which disappears in the first days after destruction.
How much does the service cost in the clinics?
The cost of removing papillomas depends on:
- the reputation of the clinic;
- on which parts of the body warts (a "special approach" is required for the face and genitals);
- size and other factors.