Medically speaking, pearly penile papules- or small, round lesions that form on the tip of a man’s penis- are nothing to worry about. Cosmetically, however, they may be the cause of great concern and embarrassment for many men and their partners. Although they are not sexually transmitted diseases and are not contagious, penile papules can impose a psychological impact on patients who have them.
Let Dr. Rokhsar get rid of the concern so that you no longer have to worry about why they are there and how they are being perceived. With two convenient locations in New York, in Manhattan and Garden City, we do cosmetic laser treatments to effectively treat the condition and give you long-lasting peace of mind.
Pearly penile papules1, also known as angiofibromas or PPP, are benign, skin-colored lesions that look like tiny bumps and usually form in rows around the tip of the penis. Though their exact cause is unknown, they are considered to be completely normal. PPP is said to occur in over 40% of males and is common in patients of all ages and skin colors.
They can also appear in one or several rows, circularly arranged around the penis. They can be white, pinkish, or yellow, and they resemble small bumps or pearls. Pearly penile papules are also known as hirsutoid papillomas or hirsuties papillaris genitalis. They are also referred to as angiofibromas. They are a normal variant of the penis anatomy and are not harmful or infectious. Although they may be concerning to some men, they are not associated with any medical conditions and do not require treatment. However, some men may opt to have them removed for cosmetic reasons.
It is important to note that pearly penile papules should not be confused with other conditions such as genital warts or herpes. Therefore, if you are concerned about any bumps or growths on your penis, it is recommended that you seek medical advice from a healthcare professional. Dr. Rokhsar has over 20 years of experience successfully removing PPPs with the 2mm beam of the CO2 laser. The procedure is painless, and the chances of scarring are minimal. It is the safest and most effective method for precise removal of pearly penile papules.
Pearly penile papules2 or angiofibromas of the penis are common benign dome-shaped growths found on the corona of the penis in many males. They are usually confused by patients with genital warts. Although pearly penile papules (PPP) are benign and are not sexually transmitted, they often have a great psychological impact on patients. Many patients are concerned with the appearance of the lesions and the fact that their sexual partners may confuse them with a sexually transmitted disease.
There are safe and effective laser treatments in NYC available for pearly penile papules or angiofibromas of the penis. Both the CO2 laser and the Fraxel laser can be used to effectively treat pearly penile papules. The CO2 laser3 is generally a one-time procedure. The Fraxel laser is utilized over a few sessions to gradually eradicate pearly penile papules with minimal downtime and risk of scarring. Dr. Rokhsar was the first to report on the improvement of pearly penile papules with the Fraxel laser and has treated numerous PPP patients successfully with the Fraxel laser.
Dr. Rokhsar is regarded as an international authority on laser resurfacing and has introduced Fraxel laser resurfacing to many parts of the world. If you suffer from pearly penile papules4 and desire a safe, painless, and effective treatment, make an appointment with double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rokhsar to discuss your laser options.
Permanently removing pearly penile papules can give a man more confidence and can clear any confusion with future partners. Dr. Rokhsar offers the CO2 and Fraxel5 as laser options- requiring absolutely no incision or surgery. Both solutions are considered permanent, safe, pain-free, and effective for treating PPP.
| Procedure | CO2 Laser | Fraxel |
|---|---|---|
|
PPP Treatment Type |
Laser | Laser |
|
PROCEDURE TIME |
15 minutes, A Single Session | 30 minutes, Several Sessions |
|
PURPOSE |
To remove PPP | To remove PPP |
|
COMFORT LEVEL |
Painless | Painless |
|
Recovery Time |
2 days | One week |
|
RESULTS REVEALED |
Instantly | Instantly |
|
PERMANENCE |
Permanent | Permanent |
Have more questions, or want to schedule a time to come see us in person? We encourage you to schedule an appointment so that we can discuss your options together. We have successfully treated many patients with PPP in the past, and you can be next.
No. Because they are found on the penis, penile papules are often mistaken as a form of sexually transmitted disease. Luckily, they are neither STDs nor are they contagious.
No, the sensitivity of your penis will not be affected by either a CO2 or Fraxel treatment at our office.
We are pleased to report that, to date, we have a 100% success rate with the removal of PPP. Still, it is important to remember that every patient is unique and that people can respond differently to the same treatment.
NO. The treatment is 100% painless after you are numbed with our proprietary numbing cream. Our patients never report any pain or discomfort at any stage of treatment. There will also be no pain after the treatment and during the healing process. We ask you to refrain from sexual activity for a week after the laser treatment. As always, we will work with you to ensure that you are comfortable and informed at every step along the way.
PPP are a normal anatomic variant that affects as many as 48% of men who are not caused by sexual activity or lack of hygiene. These bumps are caused by an overgrowth of fibrotic tissue or oil glands on the skin of the penis. They are also not related to any health condition and do not appear to have any outside source or infectious agent.
It is important to note that PPP are not a sexually transmitted disease and is not contagious. Although they are usually asymptomatic, PPP are often mistaken for genital warts by males who carry them, thus causing concerns of having a sexually transmitted disease.
Overall, PPP are a normal variant of penile anatomy and do not pose any health risks or require treatment, but some men may choose to have them removed for aesthetic reasons.
Pearly penile papules usually appear in adolescence or early adulthood, typically between the ages of 16 and 40. However, they have also been known to appear in boys as young as 12 and 14. The condition will persist throughout life but may become less noticeable with increased age. It is also worth noting that estimates vary, but as many as 14% to 48% of people with penises throughout the world may experience pearly penile papules throughout their lifetimes. They are more common in men who have not been circumcised and tend to develop during late puberty. It is still unclear why some men have pearly penile papules. However, they are considered a normal occurrence and are not sexually transmitted infections.
PPPs tend to develop in the second or third decade of life, typically during adolescence or early adulthood. It is estimated that up to 48% of males may develop PPP in their early adulthood or adolescence.
PPP is not a sign of poor hygiene or any health problem and is not contagious. They do not cause any symptoms such as itchiness or pain. PPPs can vary in appearance from one person to the next but tend to have characteristic features. They usually appear in rows and look like white spots or even pearls. They may also look yellow or pinkish. PPPs are benign and are considered completely harmless.
It is important to note that PPPs are a part of normal genital anatomy and there is no way to prevent them from occurring. Various studies have discovered that the condition is more prevalent in young uncircumcised males with African ancestry. The exact cause of PPPs is unknown, and researchers have yet to understand how they develop.
Popping or picking at PPP is not recommended as it can cause bleeding, infection, and scarring. Additionally, attempting to pop or pick at pearly penile papules can lead to serious complications, including systemic infection and exposure to harmful bacteria that thrive in the warm, moist area of the penis. If you pop a pearly penile papule, you may cause serious damage to the penis, aggravate the skin tissue, cause sensitivity issues, and experience pain and cause scarring. Therefore, it is recommended that you leave pearly penile papules alone and avoid attempting to pop or pick them. The best way to treat PPP is to see Dr. Rokhsar to have the painless CO2 laser procedure performed.
While they are not a health risk, some men may wish to have them removed for cosmetic reasons. Here are some ways to get rid of pearly penile papules:
Dr. Rokhsar is an expert in the treatment of Pearly Penile Papules and has had success with the CO2 laser for over 20 years. He uses a 2mm beam of the CO2 laser to target each papule accurately and precisely. He has been extremely successful in removal of PPPs with NO incidences of scarring. This procedure is painless and performed in the Manhattan office. Although other options for pearly penile papule removal exist, the CO2 laser is Dr. Rokhsar’s preferred procedure as it is the safest and most safe and effective method for precise removal of PPPs.
As a double board-certified dermatologist and celebrated New York cosmetic and laser surgeon, Dr. Rokhsar has all the right knowledge and experience to get rid of PPP in a safe and effective way. Dr. Rokhsar is the most experienced physician in the United States in the treatment of PPP with the Co2 laser. Dr. Rokhsar has done more CO2 laser procedures for the treatment of pearly penile papules (PPP) than any other physician. Dr. Rokhsar will use the precise 2mm beam of the CO2 laser to evaporate the pearly penile papules in a matter of minutes in a painless fashion. Patients from around the world seek Dr. Rokhsar’s help for the treatment of pearly penile papules. The procedure done with Dr. Rokhsar will leave no marks or scars on your penis.
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121 East 60th Street, Suite 8AB New York, NY 10022
(212) 285-1110
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Long Island Office
901 Stewart Ave, Suite 240, Garden City, NY 11530
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References
Dr. Cameron Rokhsar is the founder and owner of New York Cosmetic Skin & Laser Surgery Center. With degrees from Harvard University and NYU, along with multiple publications and media features, the double board-certified dermatologist and laser surgeon proudly shares his expertise with patients in Garden City, Manhattan, and those who fly in to receive treatments at his offices. Dr. Rokhsar has worked extensively with Vbeam laser, Thermitight, Coolsculpting, and Fraxel laser technology, as well as Allergan and other injectable brands. He pioneered the Non-Surgical Nose Job and continues to be a leader in his field.
Dr. Rokhsar was chosen by
magazine as a top dermatologist in its Best Doctors 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 issues.
