Removing warts with a laser: technology, consequences, recommendations

• How does laser removal of warts occur?
• What are the benefits of laser wart removal?
• What to choose: laser or nitrogen removal of warts
• How long does it take for a wart to heal after laser removal?
• What must be observed after removing a wart with a laser?
• What precautions does the wound require after laser removal of a wart?

There are several ways to remove warts. Most often, patients choose laser wart removal. The advantages are that it does not take much time and does not require long-term rehabilitation. In this article we will talk in more detail about the laser wart removal service.

How does laser removal of warts occur?

The most common skin disease is acne, followed by warts. Statistics say that 10% of people have the papilloma virus. The papillomavirus causes abnormal skin tissue, causing people to suffer from various diseases, ranging from warts to serious problems such as cervical cancer.

Warts come in different sizes: from 1 mm to 3 cm. They form on the mucous membranes, skin, and can be convex or flat. Once the virus has entered the human body, it cannot be removed and will remain for life. As soon as a person's immune system fails, a wart will appear.

Healthy people can easily become infected from carriers of the infection through shared objects, household appliances, or sexual contact. There is a high risk of infection on the beach, in the pool, sauna, bathhouse and other places where large numbers of people relax. The papillomavirus dies when exposed to sunlight, so the risk of infection in the evening and at night is significantly higher.

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A person may not realize that he has become infected, even for several months, because signs of the disease appear only after 2-5 months. Not only a decrease in immunity provokes the appearance of warts, but also the following factors:

• Tight and uncomfortable, synthetic shoes.
• Sweaty feet.
• Metabolic disease.
• Endocrine pathology.
• Acrocyanosis of the limbs.
• Sudden hypothermia.
• Stress.
• Fungal and other infectious diseases.
• Insufficient hygiene.
• Lack of nutrients in the body.
• Casual sex.
• Failure to comply with the rules of asepsis and antiseptics during manicure and pedicure.

Laser removal of warts is carried out only after consultation with a dermatologist or cosmetologist. Wart cells are 75% water. Laser installations evaporate this liquid, due to which the neoplasm is removed. The removed material is subsequently subjected to histological analysis. During the procedure, one of various laser systems is used:

• CO2 laser - pathological tissues are destroyed, the liquid is evaporated using a laser beam. A CO2 laser emits infrared radiation with a wavelength of 10,600 mn. The disadvantage of this method is that after the procedure scars may remain on the patient's skin.
• The erbium laser is very similar to the CO2 laser, only it has a shorter wavelength - 2940 mn, and is twelve times more effective. Another advantage of this laser is that it is less traumatic to tissue.
• A pulsed dye laser leaves virtually no scars and does not cause discomfort to the patient during the procedure. Unlike CO2 laser and erbium laser, it has a selective effect on oxyhemoglobin, leading to the destruction of wart capillaries.

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Types and reasons

Warts are:

There are a lot of varieties of warts; they are classified according to a number of characteristics:

1. Simple. They occur on exposed parts of the body, arms, legs, face, and scalp. They are usually not dangerous, but they are not aesthetically pleasing and can multiply quickly, affecting large areas of the skin. They are arranged as if in “families”.
2. Plantar. Their localization is exclusively on the feet. Causes discomfort when walking.

The main cause is infection with the human papillomavirus, which affects the mucous membranes and skin.

What are the benefits of laser wart removal?

Removing warts with a laser is not the only way to get rid of tumors. There are radio waves, cryosurgery, electrocoagulation and other methods, each of which has advantages and disadvantages. But still, one of the most effective methods is laser, as it has the following advantages:

• There are no scars or rough scars left on the body.
• The doctor can control the depth of penetration of the laser beam.
• One session is enough to completely remove tumors.
• Fast healing after the procedure.
• Method sterility and safety.
• With the help of a laser, warts can be removed from any part of the body.

Bibliography:

1) Cockayne S, Hewitt C, Hicks K, Jayakody S, Kang'ombe AR, Stamuli E, Turner G, Thomas K, Curran M, Denby G, Hashmi F, McIntosh C, McLarnon N, Torgerson D, Watt I; EVerT Team. Cryotherapy versus salicylic acid for the treatment of plantar warts (verrucae): a randomized controlled trial. BMJ. 2011 Jun 7; 342:d3271. doi: 10.1136/bmj.d3271.

2) Dall'oglio F, D'Amico V, Nasca MR, Micali G. Treatment of cutaneous warts: an evidence-based review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2012 Apr 1; 13(2): 73-96. doi: 10.2165/11594610-000000000-00000.

3) Nguyen NV, Burkhart CG. Cryosurgical treatment of warts: dimethyl ether and propane versus liquid nitrogen – case report and review of the literature. J Drugs Dermatol. Oct 2011; 10(10): 1174-6.

4) Ahn CS, Huang WW. Imiquimod in the treatment of cutaneous warts: an evidence-based review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2014 Oct; 15(5): 387-99. doi:10.1007/s40257-014-0093-5.

What to choose: laser or nitrogen removal of warts

The most popular methods for removing warts and other unwanted growths are laser and cryodestruction. If a person decides to remove the tumor, he needs to choose a method.

If the wart is in a visible place, such as on the face, then it is better to choose laser because it does not leave scars.

Nitrogen does not penetrate into the deep layers of the skin, so if you choose cryodestruction, there is a high probability that several procedures will be needed, especially if the tumor is large. Cryodestruction is cheaper than laser, but causes pain.

If you decide to undergo the procedure, consult a dermatologist about which method of wart removal to choose. Laser is more effective, but also more expensive. Cryodestruction is more affordable, but most likely it will take several sessions to completely get rid of the wart.

Symptoms and types of warts on the foot

A plantar wart appears as a callus-like thickening with a stratum corneum layer of skin. It interferes with walking and causes pain. The passive state is characterized by slow reproduction, not reaching the stratum corneum of the epithelium, so this condition does not manifest itself externally.

The active state is characterized by the fact that the virus develops rapidly and, rising to the upper layers of the epidermis, manifests itself in numerous symptoms. The plantar wart is also called the spinous wart, chicken wart. The virus enters during its contact with the skin through cuts and abrasions in the outer layer of the skin:

1. First, a small yellowish-gray papule with an uneven surface appears.
2. Gradually, the small element becomes dense and acquires a dirty color.

From the inside, a plantar wart looks like fused papillae of different sizes with a pinkish tint. Additional capillary vessels form there, causing bleeding if you catch a wart.

How long does it take for a wart to heal after laser removal?

Removing a wart with a laser practically does not injure the skin, but in any case there is a burn that heals in three stages.

At the first stage , a scab is formed, that is, a crust that protects the wound from infection.

At the second stage, gradual healing of the wound under the crust occurs.

At the third stage , the scab is rejected and the skin is restored. Young skin, of course, will initially be lighter, that is, the site of the removed wart will be visible, but subsequently the color will become the same as that of nearby tissues.

To ensure that the wound does not become inflamed or fester after laser removal of a wart, you need to take care of it, so the healing process will go faster. The healing period depends on many factors, which are indicated in the table.

Strengthening the immune system

Modern medicine has not yet learned to kill viruses. But an important fact is that HPV carriage is not lifelong. In addition, medicine has a small number of means at its disposal that allow it to remove some of the viruses from the body. The use of these drugs is fully compatible with immunomodulatory therapy.

The amount of virus in the body is directly related to the state of the body’s immunity - the better the immunity, the less virus. Therefore, the most promising way to reduce the concentration of HPV in the body is to strengthen the immune system. For this purpose, a separate course of treatment is carried out, after which the person begins to feel much better.

Finally, there are very effective preparations for topical use - creams, gels, sprays that increase local immunity and reduce the concentration of the virus in the affected tissues.

What must be observed after removing a wart with a laser?

As a rule, you can wash yourself the next day, but it is still better to ask your doctor about this, because it all depends on the number of warts removed and the method of removal.

The following are rules that all patients must follow:

• After washing, the site of the former wart should not be dried with a towel.
• For two months it is forbidden to take baths, only showers are allowed, and no cosmetic product should come into contact with the wound. The site of the former wart should not be rubbed.
• After a shower, pat the wound dry with a paper towel or soft cloth.
• Solariums and swimming in public bodies of water are prohibited for two weeks after surgery.
• Baths and saunas are prohibited for two months.
• If the wart was in a place where hair grows, then hair can be removed only three weeks after the procedure.

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What precautions does the wound require after laser removal of a wart?

To prevent a scar or a scar after removing a wart with a laser, you should follow the recommendations listed below:

1. Do not cover the wound with a band-aid to prevent inflammation due to the penetration of bacteria. The wound will heal faster if there is constant access to air. Over time, the crust will fall off, and in its place a new layer of epithelium will form.
2. After removing the wart, treat the wound with brilliant green, healing ointments, potassium permanganate solution and other local disinfectants for three days. Chemicals and alcohol solutions are strictly prohibited.
3. Even if you accidentally scratched the wart removal site and the scab began to separate prematurely, do not completely rip it off. Take the furatsilin solution, soak the separated area with it and carefully cut it off.
4. The crust that has formed on the wound cannot be removed; it will fall off on its own.
5. Avoid exposing the wound to sunlight; use sunscreen before going outside.
6. If a wart has been removed in the intimate area, you can have sex only after the wound has completely healed. As a rule, this is one month.
7. It is better not to use cosmetics until the color of the skin on the wound evens out with the surrounding tissues.
8. If a month has passed since the wart was removed with a laser, and the wound has not healed, go to the doctor.
9. After the procedure, it is recommended to take a course of vitamins E, A, C to make the skin more elastic, strengthen the immune system and restore the regenerative properties of the skin.

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When is it necessary to go to the clinic?

If neoplasms on the skin and mucous membranes begin to itch, hurt, bleed or change, you should immediately seek help from a dermatologist. These signs may indicate malignant degeneration of papilloma.

The doctor will prescribe surgical treatment using laser, electric current or surgical excision followed by histological examination.

The ineffectiveness of treatment with home remedies may also indicate a high oncogenic danger of the papilloma virus. Therefore, if traditional methods do not produce results within the specified time frame, you should not expose yourself to danger and delay a visit to the doctor.

What consequences are possible after removing a wart with a laser?

Removing warts with a laser is a gentle procedure, but the following consequences are possible:

• If the wound is not treated properly, it will take a long time to heal.
• An infection may occur, causing inflammation.
• The formation of scars and cicatrices, disruption of epidermal pigmentation, that is, a dark or white area may remain at the site of the wart.
• If the patient's skin is very delicate, thermal injury may occur. It can also occur if a specialist has configured the instrument incorrectly.
• Allergy to photo exposure and anesthesia.

scars remain after laser removal of warts ?

• Insufficient qualification of the surgeon.
• Predisposition of the patient's skin to scar formation.
• Failure to follow recommendations during the rehabilitation period leads to infection of the damaged surface.
• When large and deep warts are removed, a wound remains that deepens under the papillary layer of skin.

When removing warts with a laser on your hands, décolleté or face, think about how to protect yourself from scarring. Modern means for preventing rough scars help to retain water in the tissues, so connective tissue, which forms the basis of scars, is not formed. Use gels based on hydrocolloid substances.

When the crust that has formed on the wound falls off, apply one percent hydrocortisone ointment for a week and a half. The ointment will reduce the likelihood of scarring and promote rapid healing. Baneocin powder is also suitable. For prevention, purchase Mediderma, Panavir or Contractubex. The action of Panavir is based on the antiviral effect and suppression of DNA synthesis, which reduces the risk of the formation of new warts.

To break down dead tissue and increase skin elasticity, apply creams and gels containing fruit acids to the damaged area. This causes the scars to become flat and then lighten. It is important that the product you use includes hyaluronic acid, which creates a very thin film that maintains skin moisture, stimulates the synthesis of collagen and elastin fibers, and revitalizes rough tissue. Before purchasing medicinal cosmetics, you should consult your doctor.

It is important not only to choose the right product, but also to start using it as early as possible, because this way the scar will heal faster.

If, after removing warts with a laser, a large scar remains, most likely, procedures will be required to smooth it out: microwave therapy, cryodestruction or electrocoagulation.

Burn. During wart removal, the laser has the same effect on the patient's skin as the sun's rays, causing the treated area to turn red. If the patient has very sensitive skin, then after the procedure there is not only a burn, but also swelling and severe redness of the skin. Sometimes watery blisters appear. In this case, it is very important to follow the recommendations for caring for the wound, otherwise the patient may be left with a dark scar that will be very noticeable on the skin. If, despite good care of the treated area, the burn and redness do not go away, you should not self-medicate and should consult a doctor. The burn may become larger if the operated area is exposed to sunlight.

High temperature, inflammation, pain. The patient should not be alarmed if he experiences these symptoms, because this is a normal reaction of the body to laser wart removal. Redness and swelling sometimes appear in the wound area, which usually disappear within five days.

After removing a wart with a laser, the inflammation should subside within a few days. If the patient scratches the wound, an infection may occur, causing inflammation. Usually in such situations, the doctor prescribes antibiotics and antiseptics. An antiseptic is applied to the wound three times a day. To speed up healing, you can use local products to treat the wound. The doctor will advise how best to do this. The best antiseptic is potassium permanganate, which is used to treat the wound and its edges.

If the edges of the wound diverge, it hurts a lot. The wound may become inflamed and pus appears, which indicates that an infection has entered the wound, causing the pain to intensify. You should immediately contact the doctor who performed the procedure so that he can examine the painful area. The doctor will tell you which painkillers you should take. It is possible that you will need to put stitches or wash the wound with antiseptics.

If your temperature rises after laser removal of a wart, you should take paracetamol. This reaction of the body is explained by the fact that a small inflammatory process has begun.

Relapse. If there is HPV in the body, warts will appear again; this cannot be avoided.

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Stages of prevention

It is easier to prevent the occurrence of warts than to remove them later. There are certain points that you should pay attention to in order to avoid illness.

Measures:

• Strengthen your immune system, take vitamins,
• Follow the rules of hygiene,
• To refuse from bad habits,
• Review your diet, eat more healthy foods,
• Lead a healthy lifestyle,
• Limit contact with infected people.

Removing a wart can be difficult. Often the reasons lie inside the human body. You should not self-medicate, as this can lead to negative consequences. Do not forget that such neoplasms can develop into oncology.