Cherry angiomas are an extremely common skin concern. Fortunately, they’re perfectly safe and are not cancerous, but they can cause cosmetic problems. They may even bleed if they’re rubbed, picked, or irritated. These spots are incredibly easy to treat with our state-of-the-art laser platform, Vbeam Perfecta. Here’s what to know about this treatment process and how our knowledgeable cosmetic physicians can help.
What are Cherry Angiomas?
Cherry angioma is a name for lesions known as senile angiomas or Campbell de Morgan spots, named after the nineteenth-century British surgeon who first described them. Cherry angiomas are small skin growths that look noticeably red against the skin around them – they may be raised above the skin (like a small dome) or flush with it. They can occur virtually anywhere on the body but are most common on the torso, shoulders, and arms. They can be as small as a pinprick or as large as one-quarter of an inch.
It’s not fully understood what causes cherry angiomas, but they’re most common in people over 30. It’s thought that they form as a result of broken blood vessels, hence why they may bleed. Again, cherry angiomas are not cancerous, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be mistaken for something else. If it bleeds frequently or changes in size, shape, or color, it’s always best to see a board-certified dermatologist right away.
How Are Cherry Angiomas Treated?
Cherry angiomas don’t technically need treatment unless they’re bothersome to your cosmetic goals or they bleed. If you go to a traditional dermatologist’s office for cosmetic treatment, you’ll likely find treatment options such as cryotherapy, electrocautery, or even shave excision. Although these options get the job done, they aren’t typically done with aesthetics in mind. Because all of the above options can be imprecise, they come with a high risk of scarring and even infection. Fortunately, you can save yourself a trip to your dermatologist’s office by meeting with our cosmetic physicians.
Because cherry angiomas are the result of broken blood vessels, they can easily be treated with laser technologies. One specific type of laser is called a pulsed dye laser (PDL), and this technology has been in use for decades. PDLs such as Vbeam work by emitting concentrated laser energy through the skin. This laser energy is carefully calculated to target the red pigment in blood vessels – once the pigment absorbs it, heat is generated and the corresponding cells are damaged. This prompts the body to get rid of them, eventually leaving behind clear skin.
To date, technologies such as Vbeam are the best way to treat vascular concerns like cherry angiomas. It comes with virtually no risk of scarring, no downtime, and no pain. It’s an incredibly quick and easy way to treat cherry angiomas, especially if you want fast results.
How Many Treatments Do I Need?
Because cherry angiomas are very small, you can typically find good results with a single treatment. With only a couple of pulses, the growth will turn black and flake off within a few weeks. However, it’s possible to treat multiple cherry angiomas – in this case, you might need more than one treatment session. There’s no downtime involved afterward, and the most important care instructions are keeping the area covered with sunscreen and avoiding picking or scratching at any flakes that develop. Simply keep some Vaseline or Aquaphor on it and leave it be. Once the skin processes the spot, it will flake off and leave behind smooth, clear skin.
Cherry Angioma Treatment at Reflections Center for Cosmetic Medicine
Cherry angiomas are incredibly easy to treat when your cosmetic physician can provide the latest technologies. At Reflections, we offer dozens of laser technologies so we can effectively treat a wide variety of concerns. To meet with our award-winning team and learn more about Vbeam and our other options, contact our Bridgewater and Livingston, NJ locations by calling or filling out our online form.
