Hemangiomas are a proliferation of blood vessels.  Hemangiomas can come from genetics, sun exposure, trauma or for no apparent reason.  Small hemangiomas called cherry angiomas are very common in the 5th decade and beyond. For children, spider angiomas can appear on the face.  Both of these lesions can be easily and successfully treated by the VBeam Laser in the office.

 In babies, we call them strawberry hemangiomas.  Although these can resolve spontaneously when they involve the face or are very large on the body we treat with steroids, beta-blockers, and lasers. Recent research suggests treatment of these earlier in life results in a better long-term outcome.

Other hemangiomas are called port-wine stains.  These are more often broader patches and are flat or slightly raised and may be on a large area of skin.  They can occur on the face, the arm, the leg and pretty much anywhere on the skin surface. With age, they can get darker or become bumpy.  V Beam Laser treatments are available for these and they are often covered by insurance.  It usually takes multiple treatments to improve them and they tend to respond better to treatment when a patient is under 21.

If you would like to have a vascular lesion evaluated or treated, please call the office.