Cherry angiomas: what they are and how to remove them in minutes

By Cristiano Antonino On Jan 4, 2023

Cherry angiomas are not associated with any pathology or symptoms. An outpatient laser is enough to remove them

Cherry angioma is a frequent skin blemish

It is therefore not a real disease, but rather an aesthetic problem of our skin, although it can be classified within the category of benign tumours originating from the inner wall (endothelium) of a blood vessel.

It can be compared to a very small ball of tiny blood vessels.

A ruby angioma, also called ruby hemangioma, cherry angioma, senile angioma or Campbell de Morgan angioma (the first British surgeon who studied and codified it in the first half of the 1800s), is a solid relief of the skin that is bright red in colour, hence the names ‘ruby’ and ‘cherry’.

This colouration is determined by the presence of capillary blood vessels that clump together inside.

Generally, the evolution of cherry angioma is very gradual

At the beginning, the size of the angioma is extremely small, about the size of a pinhead.

Subsequently, they increase in size, usually to about 3-5 millimetres or, more rarely, one centimetre.

They are not associated with any symptoms and do not give pain or any other local sensation such as itching or discomfort.

The patient does, however, have discomfort from the unsightliness associated with seeing their skin stained by red spots, especially when they are very numerous, and when they are localised in places such as the face.

They affect men and women indiscriminately after the age of 30 and often by familiarity

When they reach centimetres in size and are exophytic (detected on skin planes) or are located in rubbing sites, they can be easily traumatised, can become irritated and bleed profusely.

Conditions that may facilitate the occurrence of ruby angiomas are familiarity (reduced levels of microRNA427 have been found in the skin of patients with numerous of them, with associated overproduction of proteins that induce vascular proliferation), certain medications (cyclosporine and bromides), sunshine, age (increase in number after the age of 30; more than 75% of people over 75 would be carriers of at least one ruby angioma), hormonal pattern (increase in pregnancy), liver, pituitary and intestinal disorders.

They have no preference for a particular race, affecting men and women equally.

Although they can develop in any skin area of the human body, cherry angioma has a particular preference for the trunk, arms, legs and shoulders.

It has no negative consequences (it does not degenerate into a malignant tumour) and therefore does not require compulsory treatment for the patient’s health. However, if subject to repeated bleeding, or if it is perceived as an annoying blemish, the patient can safely ask the dermatologist for its removal.

Cherry angioma causes a red-purple spot on the skin

It is due to an abnormal development of the capillary cells in the dermis and epidermis.

The evolution of treatment possibilities compared to the past (surgery, cryotherapy, etc.) now makes it possible to remove them in a few minutes using laser technologies.

One of the lasers offering the best results is the NeodimioYAG, a laser consisting of a crystal of neodymium, yttrium, aluminium and garnet.

The energy of the vascular Nd-Yag (Neodymium YAG) laser, which emits a wavelength of 1064 nm, penetrates the tissue and selectively coagulates the blood without damaging the epidermis (principle of selective photo-thermolysis, which allows only the lesion to be coagulated).

Cooling the surface of the skin before, during and immediately after treatment allows the use of medium-high fluences that improve the coagulation results of the angioma, prevent damage to the epidermis and reduce discomfort for the patient.

A cherry angioma is a small, bright red relief on the skin

It may be single or multiple (several angiomas grouped adjacent to each other).

The ruby angioma removal session is quick, is performed on an outpatient basis, does not require anaesthesia and does not involve interruption of normal daily and work activities after the treatment.

The light flow of the Nd-Yag laser is directed directly onto the angioma to be removed

The patient experiences a slight, bearable and fleeting burning sensation. The ruby angioma undergoes a red to grey-black colour change, hardens and in the following days detaches without leaving a mark.

After the session the patient has no wound, no plaster and no local dressing.

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