Laser Treatment - Pulsed Dye Laser

The Technology

At the Cherry Angioma Treatment Center Common procedures for removing cherry angiomas include:
Electrocauterization

This surgical method of treatment involves burning the angioma by using an electric current delivered by a tiny probe. For this procedure, you will also have a grounding pad placed somewhere on your body to shield the rest of your body from the electricity.

       Electrodesiccation can be used to effectively treat cherry angioma 

What is Electrodesiccation? 

Electrodesiccation is a type of electrosurgery. A small electric current passes through a fine needle. The application of this current can seal off small blood vessels. 

Will the Treatment be Permanent? 

Once treated, many vessels will be destroyed permanently. Sometimes however, for a variety of reasons, not all of the vessels can be treated at once. You may need a touch-up procedure. Additionally, patients are often prone to developing new lesions in the future. These can easily be treated at a later session.

Cryosurgery
This procedure involves freezing the angioma with liquid nitrogen, and the extreme cold will destroy it. This method is known for being a quick and relatively easy procedure. You only need one treatment session for cryosurgery to work, and the liquid nitrogen is usually sprayed for only about 10 seconds. The wound doesn’t require much care afterward, and there is a lower chance of infection compared to other types of surgeries.

Laser Surgery
This type of surgery involves using a pulsed dye laser (PDL) to get rid of the cherry angioma. The PDL is a concentrated yellow laser that gives off enough heat to destroy the lesion. This method is quick and is done as an outpatient procedure, which means you will not have to stay in the hospital overnight. Depending on how many angiomas you have, you may need between one and three treatment sessions. This surgery can cause slight bruising, which can last up to 10 days. use different therapies for removal of cherry angiomas. the Pulsed Dye Laser, or PDL with a  concentrated beam of light that targets blood vessels in the skin. The light is converted into heat, destroying the blood vessel while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged. The laser uses yellow light, which is very safe and does not result in any long-term skin damage. 

About the Treatment

PDL treatments usually take only a few minutes and are performed during an outpatient clinic visit. No anesthesia is required, as the machine produces a cold spray just before the laser pulse, diminishing the sensation of pain. Most patients with usually need between 1-3 treatments. Patients with port wine stains, hemangiomas and extensive rosacea may need more treatments. Improving the appearance of red scars, hypertrophic scars or keloids may take a variable number of treatments. As with any other treatment, incomplete response or recurrence may occur.

 Patient had multiple cherry angiomas removed with one pulsed dye laser treatment.

Side Effects

Side effects are generally minimal. The most common side effect is bruising. With the V-Beam bruising can be minimized or even eliminated. If it should occur, bruising is most pronounced in the first few days and usually clears within 3-10 days. Less common side effects include temporary pigmentary changes usually lasting a few weeks. Sunblock for one month before treatment is recommended as tanned skin blocks the laser light and results in a higher chance of side effects. Scarring is extremely rare with this laser.

Aftercare

Skin care after the procedure is straightforward. A moisturizer, such as Aquaphor Ointment or Vaseline Jelly, applied 2-3 times per day will help protect the skin and speed healing. Sun protection will help minimize the chance of pigmentary changes. Makeup can be used starting on day two. If any crust forms, patients should not pick or try to remove it. Any bruising fades relatively quickly over a 3-10 day period.