A hanging mole, an old wart, or a callus is unlikely to ever become an ornament to your body. But removing them will bring undoubted benefits: you no longer need to be afraid that you will inadvertently catch and damage the papilloma. And you will no longer have to suffer from such an aesthetic defect.
Dermatologists today use a variety of methods to remove skin tumors. But if we talk about the fastest, safest and most effective, then it will definitely be laser removal in any city. The method is ideal for getting rid of any skin growth, be it callus, papilloma, wart, unattractive mole or nevus.
Laser removal in dermatology is used in 90% of cases. The technique is time-tested and involves a short-term effect of a laser beam on a tumor. When the laser hits the skin, it causes the molecules to move and release fluid, which leads to carbonization of the skin and the disappearance of the tumor. Despite such an unpleasant description, the procedure takes little time and is truly considered one of the safest, atraumatic and efficient. Another advantage is the price, which is affordable for most patients.
But despite this, laser removal of tumors causes some changes. The skin at the site of the ray's impact swells and becomes red. Therefore, a popular request from patients is how to take care of their skin after the laser and what recommendations should be followed in order not to worsen their condition.
How is the healing progressing?
Tissue restoration after laser removal is done in several stages.
- phase. Almost immediately after laser removal, a dark crust appears at the site of exposure to the beam. It should not be removed, scratched or soaked in water. The appearance of a crust is an absolutely normal reaction of the body to laser exposure. It protects the wound from the penetration of pathogenic bacteria and dirt, and also promotes the rapid growth of new tissue to replace the old, damaged one. Some swelling and redness is also normal. Try to keep the laser exposure site quiet for the first 5-7 days. Do not rub or wet this area under any circumstances and do not lubricate it with wound healing creams and ointments. Do not wear very tight clothing and do not cover the wound with a bandage or bandage. It is also best to avoid chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, and other antiseptic solutions such as iodine or brilliant green.
- phase. The crust disappears approximately 7-10 days after laser removal. In its place will be a soft pink patch of new skin. You still don't need to paint it with anything, but you should definitely protect it from UV rays. Therefore, reduce your time in the sun and during those hours when you are outside use sunscreen with the maximum level of protection - at least 50 SPF. The aggressive effect of ultraviolet radiation on young pink skin can lead to undesirable consequences - for example, persistent pigmentation, which will be extremely difficult to get rid of.
- phase. After about sixteen to twenty days, new skin will form at the site of the wart or nevus. Now she is not afraid of exposure to ultraviolet rays. The skin can be wet and rubbed with a washcloth. No more special events or procedures will be required. Sometimes, even after 20 days, slight itching continues, but from the outside the skin looks absolutely normal and healthy. In this case, you can use special soothing ointments. After about 30 days, the hole left at the site of the laser removal of the wart or mole is leveled and becomes completely invisible. This is the advantage of the procedure: after three months you won't even remember the cosmetic defects you may have suffered from.
How to treat the area after laser removal? Doctor's advice
So, a crust is formed at the place of exposure to the laser beam. What should be done to prevent dangerous bacteria from entering the wound? The following measures can help reduce infection:
- Potassium permanganate. Commonly known as potassium permanganate. In its undiluted state it can be dangerous as it causes chemical burns. To reduce redness and reduce the possibility of wound inflammation, use a weak, slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate. Lotions can be applied several times a day, but it is best to avoid dressings.
- Antibiotic ointment. If the area after laser removal is very red, swollen and painful, use antibiotic ointment. Effectively reduces the possibility of bacterial inflammation.
- Phenol solution. If fluid oozes from the wound, it is best to dry the area after laser removal. And the solution is more suitable for this purpose.
- Antiseptic solution. These effective antiseptic agents are used after laser removal of papillomas, warts and moles on the mucous membrane.
Self-prescription of any pharmaceutical drug is excluded. If you are concerned about any symptoms or side effects, contact the medical center where you decided to undergo laser hair removal. The doctor who performed the procedure will assess your condition and, if necessary, prescribe the necessary and effective medications.
Medical recommendations that patients should follow
There are several ways to minimize the risk of bacterial infection after laser tumor removal and to speed up tissue healing.
- Do not touch the area affected by the laser beam unless necessary.
- Wear loose clothing or shoes and make sure the wound is not sore or tight.
- In the air, all regenerative processes develop faster, so it makes no sense to apply a bandage and hide the damaged area under clothing.
- It is worth limiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages for three to five days after laser removal of a mole or papilloma. The fact is that alcohol causes vasodilation, which means that the period of rehabilitation and regeneration of the skin can be delayed. In addition, under the influence of alcoholic beverages, the risk of bleeding from the wound may increase.
- If side symptoms appear, do not self-medicate. Contact your healthcare provider immediately.
- Avoid going into the sun until the scab falls off and the wound is completely healed. Doctors recommend visiting a solarium about three months after the procedure. The same rule applies to going to the pool, spa or massage room.
- If you have removed a mole from the surface of the face with a laser, stop using decorative cosmetics for 5-7 days.
- You should be careful if it has been a long time since the mole was removed and the wound is oozing purulent contents, blood or fluid. Worrying causes can be an increase in body temperature, chills, increased swelling and the appearance of redness at the extraction site. All these conditions require immediate medical intervention. Do not try to diagnose yourself and do not delay your visit to the clinic where you performed the laser removal of papillomas.
How long does it take to fully recover?
Even if the place of removal of a mole or nevus does not bother you, you should monitor the condition of the skin for another 10-20 days after the laser removal procedure.
On average, rehabilitation lasts from two to four weeks. It is worth understanding that the larger the surface of the mole, the more time it will take to recover and regenerate. The location of the tumor also matters: as a rule, mucous membranes heal faster.
The rehabilitation period also depends on where exactly the mole was removed. It has long been observed that areas well supplied with blood heal 2-3 times faster than all others. That is why a wound on the heel can bother you longer than a papilloma removed from the eyelid.
Where can I get laser removal at an affordable and attractive price?
It is better to give preference not to private beauty salons, but to full-fledged multifunctional clinics. They employ competent and qualified dermatologists who can verify the benign nature of skin tumors and perform the laser removal procedure as quickly and painlessly for the patient.