Laser surgery is one of the most common methods to remove pearly penile papules, also known as PPP. It is also one of the most effective pearly penile papules treatment methods. The PPP removal procedure can be performed with a CO2 or an erbium laser.
How PPP Laser Surgery Works
The CO2 or erbium laser works to remove pearly penile papules by heating the targeted chromophore water inside and outside the cells of the penile papules with amplified and concentrated light photons that are invisible. The water inside and outside the tissue’s cells absorb the light at the specific frequency that creates the infrared wavelength creating thermal ablation to the tissue by water vaporization.
The longer infrared wavelengths penetrate deeper in the skin and the shorter infrared wavelengths penetrate less deep in the skin.
Here is an example of how the procedure is performed.CO2 Laser
The CO2 laser, also known as carbon dioxide laser, has a wavelength that is 10,600 nm and has a deeper penetration in the skin than the erbium laser. The healing process may be slightly slower than the erbium laser from the penetration level. The CO2 laser is the most commonly used of the two lasers and has shown to work on darker skin types without any significant hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation for pearly penile papule removal.
Erbium Laser
The erbium laser, also known as Er: YAG, has a wavelength that is typically 2,940 nm and is less penetrating in the skin than the CO2 laser. The healing process may be slightly faster than the CO2 laser from the penetration level. The erbium laser is known to lessen any chances of hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation in darker skin types for pearly penile papule removal because it is less penetrating in the skin.
How Long Laser Surgery Takes
Laser surgery for pearly penile papules removal typically takes no longer than 20 to 30 minutes.
How Long Healing Takes
After having laser surgery for pearly penile papules, the recovery and healing process typically takes 1 to 3 weeks.
Contraindications
Contraindications for pearly penile papules laser surgery removal include keloids, hypertrophic scarring, and uncontrolled diabetes.
Outcomes
The outcomes for pearly penile papules laser removal have excellent cosmetic results.
Costs
The cost of pearly penile papules laser surgery is explained in the cost of PPP surgeries post.