Vascular Lesions
At a glanceVascular lesions are visible changes in the skin’s blood vessels, appearing as red, purple, or blue marks.
Vascular lesions are visible changes in the skin’s blood vessels, appearing as red, purple, or blue marks. They occur when vessels become dilated, damaged, or develop abnormally. While usually harmless, they can be cosmetically bothersome and, in some cases, reflect underlying sun damage or skin inflammation.
Vascular lesions commonly affect the face, neck, chest, and legs. Conditions we frequently treat include angiomas (cherry angiomas), poikiloderma of Civatte (sun-induced redness and mottled pigmentation on the neck and chest), and leg veins/telangiectasia.
These concerns respond exceptionally well to modern vascular lasers such as the VBeam® pulsed-dye laser, Excel® V+, and other advanced light-based technologies, which safely and precisely target unwanted blood vessels while preserving surrounding skin.
The Science Behind It
Contributing Factors to Vascular Lesions
- Genetics Individuals with a family history of vascular lesions may be more prone to developing them.
- Sun Exposure Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can damage and weaken blood vessels, contributing to the development of telangiectasia and other superficial vascular changes.
- Aging As skin and blood vessels naturally thin with age, vascular lesions can become more visible.
- Hormonal Changes Fluctuations due to pregnancy, hormonal therapies, or contraceptives can trigger vascular changes such as spider angiomas.
- Skin Trauma or Irritation Ongoing friction, physical trauma, or conditions like rosacea may lead to the formation of visible surface vessels.
- Medical Conditions Underlying disorders such as liver disease or systemic vascular abnormalities can be linked to the presence of vascular lesions.
Treatment at a Glance
| Treatment Type | Number of Sessions | Procedure Time | Typical Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excel® V+ | 3 - 5+ sessions | 20 - 30 minutes | 3 - 5+ days |
| Vbeam® Pulse Dye Laser | 2 - 5+ sessions | 10 - 30 minutes | 3 - 5+ days |
| BBL HERO™ | 2 - 4 sessions | 20 - 40 minutes | 2 - 3 days |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lasers can safely treat a wide range of red or vascular skin concerns, including broken capillaries, rosacea-related redness, cherry angiomas, poikiloderma, leg veins/telangiectasia, port-wine stains, and red scars.
Vascular lasers such as VBeam® and Excel® V+ target haemoglobin (the red pigment in blood). The laser energy heats and collapses unwanted vessels, allowing the body to naturally clear them over time while preserving surrounding skin.
Most patients need 1–3 sessions, depending on the type, size, depth, and number of vessels. Facial vessels often clear quickly, while leg veins or deeper vessels may require multiple treatments.
The level of discomfort varies depending on the condition being treated.
- Poikiloderma (sun-related redness on the neck and chest) can be more sensitive, and topical anaesthetic cream is usually recommended.
- Cherry angiomas and small facial vessels typically cause only brief, mild stinging and do not require numbing.
Most patients describe the sensation as a warm “flick.” To maximise comfort, we offer topical anaesthetic where appropriate and utilise our Zimmer cold air machine, which delivers a continuous stream of cool air to reduce heat and stinging during treatment.
You may experience redness, mild swelling, or temporary darkening of vessels for a few days. Bruising can occur with higher-strength treatments. Makeup can usually be applied the next day, and normal activities can resume immediately.
Precision treatment of vascular lesions using state-of-the-art laser technology and specialist dermatology expertise.
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