Removing warts with a laser: technology, consequences, recommendations

From this article you will learn:

• 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.

Possible complications

In rare cases, when burning warts, undesirable consequences may occur:

• The formation of a keloid scar due to the individual characteristics of the skin.
• The appearance of a scar when a tumor with deep roots is removed using a laser. These growths have bases that penetrate deeply into the skin.
• The presence of blisters that do not heal for a long time on the surface of the wart.
• Allergic reactions.

To avoid these consequences, you need to properly prepare for cauterization and follow all doctor’s instructions after the procedure.

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.

How to burn off warts in the clinic

A specialist will help you quickly eliminate an existing or already old seal in a stationary setting. How can you burn off a wart? The main hardware methods used in official medicine:

1. Laser therapy.
2. Cryotherapy.
3. Electrocoagulation.

Before choosing a method for removing papilloma, the doctor determines its depth and size, and takes into account the location. In just 1 session, skin growths are eliminated.

Laser removal

Cauterizing a wart with a laser beam is considered an innovative technology. This is a non-contact method of acting on tumors, which prevents wound bleeding and infection. The patient does not feel pain due to the use of local anesthesia. Treatment of condylomas in this way is effective, since the doctor independently regulates the depth of the working beam, eliminating the growth along with its root. Healthy tissue remains intact, the wart dies instantly. Full recovery occurs in 7-10 days.

Electrocoagulation

Burning of a wart is carried out by high-frequency current, which destroys the internal structure of the formation and leads to its complete death. There is no infection or bleeding. The method is painful, so anesthesia is used. Disadvantage: the recovery period is about 3 weeks, the possible presence of scars on healthy tissues.

Burning warts with liquid nitrogen

Liquid nitrogen, instead of burning warts, freezes them at a temperature of -190 degrees. The method is suitable for eliminating shallow growths, since it only affects the upper layers. One cauterization is enough for a blister to appear at the site of the papilloma, which in 2-3 days will transform into a scab. When removed with liquid nitrogen, the crust should fall off on its own, in which case there will be no scars left.

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.

Symptoms and treatment of warts

How to understand that a wart has appeared on the skin? This disease is characterized by certain signs that are worth paying attention to.

Signs:

• A hill or bump on the skin, condylomas have the appearance of a grain on a stalk,
• No pain or itching,
• Most often, the keratinized surface,
• There are black dots on the top of the wart.

You should not self-diagnose and prescribe therapy. This can lead to negative consequences. Treatment of warts must be taken seriously.

The therapy process is carried out at home, medications are prescribed for external and internal use. In addition, you can use folk remedies.

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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Why are traditional methods of treatment dangerous?

Many people remember cauterization with celandine, iodine and vinegar from childhood. Some people removed warts using a silk thread, while others applied hot metal objects to them to burn them out! All these methods are not only ineffective in the fight against warts and HPV, but also dangerous to human health.

As a result of such “home” treatment, a child or adult can receive multiple burns, scars and welts, and removal with a thread only provokes further growth and spread of papillomas on the skin.

We live in the 21st century, where there are modern methods of treatment and correction that are safe for health. If you find papillomas on the skin or mucous membranes, first make an appointment with a dermatovenerologist or gynecologist. The doctor will prescribe treatment and, if necessary, refer you to a surgeon for quick removal of the papilloma.

The MC “Health” network welcomes doctors - gynecologists, dermatovenereologists and surgeons with extensive experience. Hundreds of patients come to appointments with external manifestations of HPV, and our specialists consider each case individually - prescribe the necessary tests and studies, adjust treatment, and help quickly cope with the disease. You can make an appointment with any doctor on the clinic’s website.

Don’t delay the examination and get treatment from professionals!

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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Aftercare

After burning off a wart, you need to properly care for your skin:

• Apply moisturizer.
• Do not use decorative cosmetics during the recovery period.
• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.
• Get checked by a doctor once a week.

Scarring

When burning warts, in some cases complications occur, including scars. The skin of the face is thin and delicate; to remove growths on it, you should carefully choose methods and medications. If the papilloma is successfully removed, the skin will completely recover in 1-2 weeks.

Help with regeneration

In order for skin restoration after removal of growths to be successful, it is recommended to take medications such as immunostimulants and immunomodulators during the postoperative period. Otherwise, relapse, inflammation or suppuration of the wound may occur due to weakened immunity.

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.

Is there a cure for plantar warts?

Cantharidin is a drug for the topical treatment of warts. In parallel, using it with salicylic acid - the result is ideal. The pathological neoplasm is smeared with a cotton swab, then the wart dies off. The doctor removes the area, cauterizing it and treating it with antibiotics. After 7 days, complete recovery will occur. There is one caveat - a scar remains.

Imiquimod is another medication that comes in the form of an ointment or cream. The product is based on an antiviral drug that acts on the papilloma virus.

Home Remedies

You can remove a wart yourself using alternative medicine recipes. They are relatively safe and in many cases approved for use during pregnancy and for young children.

At home, recipes based on natural ingredients are most often used. Their disadvantage will be a long treatment period and the appearance of scars after removal.

Bath with soda and soap

Regular use of the procedure will help soften the skin of the feet, which will facilitate the effects of other products. To prepare such a bath you need:

1. Heat 2 liters of water to a comfortable temperature.
2. Add 30 g of soda and the same amount of liquid tar soap.
3. Dissolve the ingredients and soak your feet for 20 minutes.

The number of procedures is at least 3 per week. The recipe can be used for women during pregnancy, men and children over 2 years of age. The only contraindication will be an allergic reaction to any of the components of the composition.

Steaming with lemon juice

An effective recipe that helps soften the skin and prevent the appearance of new warts is prepared as follows:

1. Prepare 2 liters of hot water, cool to a comfortable temperature.
2. Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon using a juicer and add to water.
3. The time of the home procedure is 15-25 minutes.

The manipulations should be repeated at least 2 times a week. The product is approved for use in children, adults and women during pregnancy.

Celandine

Medicines based on medicinal plants have long been used to eliminate growths on any part of the body:

1. Only freshly cut grass should be used.
2. Grind it and squeeze out the juice using gauze.
3. Treat the affected areas with the resulting product 2-3 times a day until the growth disappears.

When working with juice, you should follow safety precautions and avoid getting it on healthy skin. The medicine should not be used for children and adolescents under 18 years of age, women during pregnancy and patients with individual intolerance to the plant.

Onion and vinegar

It will be an effective way to eliminate growth if used correctly. To prepare this product you need:

1. Chop a large onion into rings and place in a saucepan.
2. Add 100 ml of regular table vinegar.
3. Leave for 3 hours.
4. Select an onion ring and attach it with a plaster to the site of the tumor.
5. Leave it on all night.

Repeat the procedure every evening until the growth disappears. Before attaching the bow, you should protect the healthy skin around the wart with oil or baby cream.

The prescription is not used to treat children under 7 years of age. Allowed for use by adults and even women during pregnancy.

Flour and vinegar

The recipe is considered effective and helps get rid of the growth in 1 procedure. To prepare it, you need:

1. Take a small amount of any flour.
2. Add a little table vinegar.
3. Stir to form a thick dough.
4. Separate a piece and apply it to the wart, secure with a bandage.
5. Leave it on all night.

In the morning the growth will come off along with the cake. If necessary, you can repeat the procedure the next day. The recipe is contraindicated for children under 7 years of age and patients with sensitive skin. It is not prohibited to use the medicine during pregnancy.

Acetylsalicylic acid

This product is considered very effective for eliminating growths of various sizes and locations. You can buy it at the pharmacy in the form of tablets or a solution of salicylic acid. The product is prepared as follows:

1. The solution is used in its pure form as compresses.
2. Moisten a cotton pad and apply it to the tumor for 30 minutes.
3. Repeat the procedure morning and evening until the growth disappears.
4. The tablets should be pre-crushed in an amount of 5 pieces.
5. Add a small amount of water until a thick paste forms, lubricate the growth and leave overnight.

Repeat similar procedures until the growth disappears. The product is not used for the treatment of children under 12 years of age, pregnant women and patients with individual intolerance to pharmaceutical drugs or a tendency to an allergic reaction.

Garlic

Garlic is considered the best and safest method for removing growths in children, adults and pregnant women. To prepare the product you need:

1. Peel the garlic clove and cut in half.
2. Apply to the site of formation overnight, pre-fixing it with a band-aid.
3. Repeat until complete recovery.

Usually a week of regular use is enough to get rid of the pathology. The only contraindication for using the recipe will be individual intolerance to the product.

Potato

Green potato juice has long been used to treat skin tags. It is used as follows:

1. Wash the potatoes and chop them together with the peel.
2. Using gauze, squeeze out the juice.
3. Lubricate problem areas with the resulting product several times a day.
4. Continue therapy until the pathological formation disappears.

The recipe is considered safe for use in children, adults and pregnant women. Side effects from its use are extremely rare.

Aloe juice

The juice of the medicinal plant helps to gently remove the growth and is approved for use in children, women during pregnancy and men. To prepare such a remedy, you need:

1. Cut off a few large and fleshy leaves.
2. Grind and squeeze out the juice using gauze.
3. Soak a cotton pad in the resulting product and apply it to the affected area overnight.

Repeat the procedure until the tumor is completely eliminated. A contraindication to the use of the recipe will be an allergic reaction to the medicinal plant.

Apple vinegar

For treatment, you should purchase only a high-quality natural product and use it as follows:

1. Every day in the morning and evening, drip 1 drop of the product onto the growth.
2. Repeat until it falls off on its own.

It is allowed to get rid of several growths on the feet in a similar way. It is better not to use such a product for children. Adults and women during pregnancy are allowed to use vinegar. If symptoms of an allergic reaction appear, you must stop using the composition.

Why do warts appear on legs?

Warts on the legs appear as a result of infection with papillomavirus. It can be transmitted to a person from another person through household or contact contact (through a shared shower or locker room, for example, in a gym).

With strong immunity, this virus is not active and does not manifest itself in any way. If the immune system is weakened, spinules (flat warts on the soles of the feet) appear.

Their appearance is facilitated by:

• insufficiently attentive foot care (rarely showering or washing feet, using low-quality or inappropriate soap, untimely changing of socks, shoes that are too warm for the weather, wearing closed shoes for a long time in hot weather);
• tendency to sweaty feet;
• wearing uncomfortable, tight, chafing shoes;
• dry skin on the legs.