Is laser papilloma removal painful? What are the possible consequences?

Laser removal of papillomas is nearly painless and rarely causes complications. You can eliminate cosmetic imperfections in one go. But without additional drug treatment, the tumors will reappear.

Why do papillomas occur and why are they dangerous?

These benign lesions are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are soft to the touch and can be oval, round or flat. Color matches skin or is slightly darker. The growth does not hurt when pressed, but the appearance is unsightly.HPV is present in many people’s bodies, but it doesn’t always show up. It is activated under conditions conducive to growth:

• messy sex life;
• hormonal imbalance;
• Reduced immunity;
• genitourinary tract infections;
• often sick;
• Inadequate diet.

In addition, radiation therapy, inflammation in the body, poor hygiene, surgery, and long-term use of antibiotics can also trigger the appearance of papillomas. This disease occurs in women, men and even infants.Papillomas can form anywhere on the body (genitals, eyelids, neck, hands, face). In addition, growths can appear on the mucous membranes (tongue, throat, cheeks). They don't go away on their own and can develop into cancer, such as cervical cancer.

Laser removal of papillomas

The least invasive way to remove tumors is laser therapy. Doctors use equipment that produces radiation. Within minutes, it will cauterize papillomas in any area of the skin.

The beam is precise and does not affect adjacent tissue.

The procedure is sterile and rarely causes side effects if performed correctly. The laser machine is equipped with a cooling tip that protects surrounding tissue from burns.

To whom and when?

These growths are usually not dangerous and are merely a cosmetic blemish. If papillomas do not bother you, laser papilloma removal can be postponed.Doctors recommend cauterizing tumors that start to grow, bleed, and hurt. Papillomas located on the face, scalp, and intimate areas also need to be removed. Frequent human contact with these areas may damage the growth. If infection gets in through the smallest crack, severe inflammation can begin.Due to the presence of the virus in the body, disease-causing cells divide uncontrollably, and the papilloma grows in size and may become malignant. If recurrences occur frequently, dermatologists recommend medical treatment followed by laser removal of any tumors.

Possible contraindications

Before removing the tumor, the doctor will take a medical history to identify possible contraindications. The program will not be executed if:

• Oncology;
• Diabetes, coagulation disorders;
• epilepsy;
• Skin photosensitivity;
• Increased body temperature, inflammation, and infectious diseases;
• Autoimmune disease, tendency to form keloids.

Laser removal of genital papillomas is not recommended during menstruation.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist, as local anesthesia will be used during the procedure.Dermatologists may refuse to treat patients with tanned skin or tattoos on growth areas. Some commercial medical facilities require a pediatrician's opinion and must allow children to have their papillomas laser removed.

what laser to use

Devices with continuous and pulsed radiation are suitable for tumor removal. The first option is best for cauterizing tumors on the body. Lasers with powerful radiation instantly vaporize diseased cells. But scarring may occur due to intense exposure.Pulsed lasers are used to cauterize papillomas on the face, neck, and hands. Their behavior is superficial and leaves no trace.You can also perform papilloma removal surgery yourself using a laser pointer. This portable coagulator has 6 power settings and is rechargeable via USB. The kit includes one wide needle and several thin disposable needles. But it is recommended to use the device only after consulting a dermatologist and oncologist.

How is laser papilloma removal performed?

The procedure does not depend on the type of laser and the location of the tumor.

What you can and cannot do before surgery

It is not advisable to sunbathe 2 weeks before laser papilloma removal.

If the growth is on your face, avoid scrubs and chemical peels. Try to use the minimum amount of makeup possible.

Before treatment, you will need a blood test for sexually transmitted diseases, a smear test from the cervix (women) or foreskin (men). Physicians may also refer patients for biopsy, tissue histology, and PCR diagnostics. If your test results are unsatisfactory, you must postpone laser removal and receive medical treatment first.

technology

Cauterizing a papilloma takes 1-3 minutes, depending on the size. Before treatment, your doctor will examine the tumor and determine the optimal laser power. The procedure is as follows:

1. Patients wear sunglasses with filters to protect their eyes from accidental radiation.
2. The skin is sterilized and anesthetic ointment is applied for 15 minutes.
3. Doctors aim the laser tip at the tumor, vaporizing it layer by layer.
4. After treatment, the skin in the treatment area is disinfected again and a band-aid is applied.

A small papilloma can be removed in one treatment. If the growth is large and spreads throughout the body, multiple surgeries may be needed. Laser resection of tumors in children is performed according to a similar protocol.

Does laser papilloma removal hurt?

Laser removal of papillomas can be painful without local anesthesia. Before surgery, your doctor will treat the skin with a numbing ointment or give an injection. Thereafter, only a slight burning sensation will be felt during the treatment.Medication is recommended for additional pain relief before removal of growths in sensitive areas (intimate areas, eyelids or soles of feet).

recovery period

Recovery can be quick if you follow your doctor's advice. The day after treatment, remove the adhesive plaster and treat the wound with an antiseptic or a saturated solution of potassium permanganate.

Repeat the process twice a day and apply any therapeutic ointment to the skin.

Do not scratch or tear off the scab to avoid infection. It will go away on its own within 1-1. 5 weeks. Minimize the number of times you wet your skin. Shower, not bath. After bathing, pat yourself dry with a towel. If papillomas appear on the face or eyelids, do not use cosmetics for two weeks.During recovery, avoid going to saunas, bathhouses, or swimming pools. Do not shave the treated area, scrub with a towel, or use scrubs or other products containing exfoliating particles. If the treatment is performed during the summer, you should not sunbathe at the beach or in a solarium.

Try not to expose your skin directly to the sun, and apply SPF 30-50 barrier cream before going out. Postpone physical activity that causes excessive sweating. Avoid alcohol.

After a papilloma has been removed from the genitals, it is not recommended to have sex until it has completely healed. Wash with intimate hygiene gel or mild baby soap. After surgery, be sure to see a gynecologist or urologist.

possible complications

Complications rarely occur after laser treatment. If the doctor sets too much power and miscalculates the exposure time, the damaged area may swell and become injured. Due to poor hygiene during the recovery period, the wound became infected and began to fester. Additionally, the result of removing large growths is the formation of keloid scars.After laser treatment, papillomas may reappear in even greater numbers. This complication occurs due to the intensive phase of the virus, when cauterizing the growth without additional treatment is ineffective. The removed papilloma site still retains pink spots. They will fade after 4-5 days and disappear completely within a few months.

Laser Removal Compared to Other Methods

In addition to laser treatment, papillomas can be cauterized with medications containing salicylic acid or cantharidin. After 2-3 days, the barrier heals and disappears. When removing growths on the genitals, use a podophyllotoxin preparation. However, this method is less effective and does not rule out recurrence.

Surgical removal can also be performed with a scalpel. Unlike laser, this method causes heavy bleeding. The affected skin area may remain scarred. The risk of wound infection is also high.

Papillomas are removed using cryodestruction. The doctor applies an applicator filled with liquid nitrogen to the tumor for a few seconds. The growth darkens and disappears quickly. The procedure is painless, but there is no control over the depth of the effect. Therefore, relapses often occur.Radio wave surgery, which uses special equipment, is as effective as laser therapy. It removes growths without leaving any marks on the body and with minimal damage to surrounding tissue.Another effective method is electrocoagulation therapy. Doctors use high-frequency current to treat papillomas. During a session, you can adjust the level of influence. Rule out wound bleeding and infection. However, unlike a laser, this device damages the skin around the growth. After surgery, pits are sometimes left.

Treatment costs

Laser papilloma removal prices start at $2. 5 per 1 unit. Clinics sometimes reduce the fee if the patient cauterizes multiple growths. Treatments for the face and eyelids will cost more. Anesthesia costs are paid separately.Laser removal of cervical papillomas (as well as other areas of the skin) is 30-50% more expensive in large cities.

Reviews About Laser Papilloma Removal

Comments about the consequences of using lasers to burn off papillomas are popping up on medical center forums and websites. The effectiveness and speed of the process were documented. Due to the anesthesia, the patient feels almost no pain, but there is a burning smell. In most cases, treatment helps eliminate the defect. No scars were left and the wound healed quickly.But almost everyone points out that laser therapy only removes cosmetic imperfections. Without medication to treat the virus, it is useless.

Reviewers often debate whether papilloma removal—nitrogen or laser—is better. Many people prefer the second method because it helps the first time.