A venous lake is a small, dark blue to purple, benign vascular lesion that typically appears on sun-exposed areas of the skin, especially the lips, ears, face, and neck. It is caused by the dilation of venules, which are small veins.
Venous Lake Characteristics:
Appearance: Soft, compressible, and blue or purple in color. It may look like a small, raised bump on the skin.
Size: Generally ranges from a few millimeters to about 1 centimeter in diameter.
Location: Commonly found on sun-exposed areas, such as the lips, face, ears, and neck.
Causes unknown but thought to be from:
Sun Exposure: Chronic sun exposure is a significant factor, contributing to the weakening and dilation of the superficial veins. This why it’s important to wear sunscreen on lips or have lip balm with SPF.
Trauma
Lip biting
Cigarette smoking
Aging: More common in older adults as the skin and vascular structures age. Thought to be from weakening of the vessels.
Symptoms:
Typically Asymptomatic: Venous lakes usually do not cause pain or other symptoms.
Cosmetic Concern: Primarily a cosmetic issue due to its visible appearance.
Diagnosis:
Visual Examination: Diagnosed by its characteristic appearance.
Treatment Options:
Laser Therapy: Uses focused light to coagulate the blood vessels and reduce the lesion. We now have Sciton's Clear V 1064nm vascular laser offered at R Med Spa. These lesions typically only take 1-2 treatments to resolve. We offer free consultations.
Other treatment options.
Cryotherapy: Freezing the lesion to destroy the abnormal vessels.
Electrosurgery: Uses electrical currents to remove the lesion.
Sclerotherapy: Injection of a sclerosing agent to close off the vessels.
Prevention:
Sun Protection: Regular use of sunscreen and protective clothing to minimize sun exposure.
Avoidance of Trauma: Protecting the skin from minor injuries, which can exacerbate the condition.
Sources:
Cleveland Clinic on Venous Lake
DermNet NZ on Venous Lake
Venous lakes are generally benign and do not pose significant health risks. However, for cosmetic reasons or if the lesion changes in appearance, consulting a healthcare provider is recommended.
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