Cherry Angiomas in Washington, DC
What are Cherry Angiomas?
Cherry angiomas are benign vascular growths which typically develop in lighter skin individuals during the 30’s and 40s. Cherry red in color, they represent small epidermal capillary growths and can be found on any part of the body with a predilection for the trunk and proximal extremities. As a benign entity, no treatment is necessary for cherry angiomas (once diagnosed as such by a Board Certified Dermatologist). Despite their harmless nature many people find cherry angiomas to be cosmetically bothersome.
How can Cherry Angiomas be removed?
Cherry angiomas can be safely and effectively removed using vascular lasers including the Pulsed Dye Laser and KTP Laser. These devices are able to damage the small capillary loops within cherry angiomas causing the lesions to slowly be resorbed by the body eliminating both the color and papular component of a cherry angioma. These treatments are highly effective and typically only a single treatment is required for removal of small cherry angiomas. Occasionally a second treatment is required for treatment of larger angiomas. Downtime is minimal to nothing, lesions turn a purple color after treatment before slowly regressing leaving normal skin in their place with nearly no risk of scarring, unlike previous removal methods such as electrocautery.
