Removing venous lake with Nd:YAG laser
Removing venous lake with Nd:YAG laser
Removing a venous lake with an Nd:YAG laser in The Hague
A small blue-purple spot on your lip, nose, or earlobe can be a venous lake, also known as Venous Lake mentioned. It involves a local dilation of a superficial venous blood vessel. Such a spot is usually benign, but not every bluish skin lesion is a venous lake.
At Medicademis in The Hague, I assess whether vascular treatment might be appropriate. The Lumenis M22 Multi-Spot Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) offers possibilities for the treatment of selected vascular changes. Whether your spot can actually be treated with this laser depends on the diagnosis, location, skin characteristics, and a suitable treatment protocol.
Important: A bluish-purple spot on the lip, nose, or earlobe should not be considered a venous lake based solely on appearance. In case of doubt regarding the diagnosis, a change in the spot, or other warning signs, an assessment by a general practitioner or dermatologist is required first. Cosmetic laser treatment only comes into play after that.
What is a venous lake?
A venous lake is a dilated, blood-filled vascular structure just below the surface of the skin. It is seen primarily in adults, especially on the lower lip, but also on the auricle, nose, or elsewhere on the face. The color can vary from blue to dark purple. A typical venous lake is soft and may temporarily turn pale under pressure as blood is squeezed out of the vessel.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight and skin aging are associated with this condition. A venous lake is not the same as couperose: with couperose, you usually see multiple fine, reddish vessels.
How do you recognize a venous lake on the lip or nose?
A venous lake is typically a sharply defined, bluish-purple spot or a slightly raised bump. However, other abnormalities can resemble it, including pigment lesions and other vascular changes. A newly formed, growing, irregular, or spontaneously bleeding spot, in particular, requires medical assessment. Laser treatment is not performed if there is any doubt.
Can a venous lake be treated with the M22 Nd:YAG laser?
The long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser of 1064 nm It is described in dermatological literature as a treatment option for venous lakes. The laser energy is absorbed partly by blood components and converted into heat. This allows the dilated vascular structure to be damaged in a targeted manner and subsequently gradually become less visible.
The M22 features a Multi-Spot Nd:YAG module for vascular applications. This makes a venous lake a possible indication to assess, However, this does not mean that every spot or location can automatically be treated with the M22. For treatment on the lip, nose, or earlobe, a specifically suitable protocol, experience with this indication, and appropriate protection are essential.
What other treatments are possible?
Depending on the diagnosis, size, and location, other laser treatments or minor surgical procedures are also used in medical practice. The choice is individual. Moreover, a venous lake that causes no symptoms does not always need to be treated.
How does an assessment work at Medicadermis?
I discuss how long the spot has been present, whether it has changed, whether it bleeds or causes symptoms, and which medical history is relevant. Skin type, medication, sun exposure, and any contraindications are also covered.If the diagnosis is not sufficiently certain, I recommend an assessment by a doctor first. Only when the indication and safety are clear can laser treatment be considered.
Result, risks and aftercare
Published studies have described good results with long-pulsed Nd:YAG lasers, sometimes after just one treatment. However, the result varies depending on the lesion and the technique used; multiple sessions or a different form of treatment may be necessary. There is no guarantee of complete disappearance.
After vascular laser treatment, redness, swelling, discoloration, blistering, or crusting may occur. Less frequently, pigment changes, scarring, or damage to surrounding tissue may occur. The lip and nose are sensitive locations, making carefully selected settings, protection, and specific aftercare important. You will only receive personalized treatment and aftercare advice after suitability has been determined.
Frequently asked questions about a venous lake
Is a venous lake dangerous?
A confirmed venous lake is usually a benign vascular abnormality. However, not every bluish-purple spot is a venous lake. Medical assessment is important in the event of a new or changing spot, spontaneous bleeding, or doubt.
Can a venous lake disappear on its own?
A venous lake often remains present for a long time. Visibility can vary due to pressure or temperature, but spontaneous complete disappearance is uncommon.
Is the Nd:YAG laser suitable for a venous lake on the lip?
Long-pulsed Nd:YAG lasers are used for this indication. Whether treatment with the specific M22 configuration is possible and safe is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Its position on the lip requires extra attention regarding protection and the treatment protocol.
Can a venous lake also occur on the nose?
Yes. Although a venous lake primarily occurs on the lower lip, it can also develop on the nose, earlobe, or elsewhere on the face. A bluish-purple spot on the nose is not automatically a venous lake: other vascular and pigment abnormalities can resemble it. Therefore, a reliable diagnosis is important before laser treatment is considered.
How many treatments are needed?
That cannot be said with certainty beforehand. Studies sometimes describe complete clearance after one session, but the outcome depends on the size, depth, location, and technique chosen.
Is this treatment covered?
Cosmetic removal is generally not reimbursed. The exact conditions depend on the indication and your health insurance. In the event of a medical suspicion, the assessment is handled through regular healthcare.
Scientific literature and background
For further in-depth study, consult the dermatological publications on Venous lakes and treatment with long-pulsed Nd:YAG 1064 nm relevant. See for example the Scientific literature in PubMed on Venous Lake and Nd:YAG and the review literature on vascular laser treatments. Research results with other Nd:YAG systems are not directly applicable to the M22.
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Personal guidance disclaimer
A Fair Use Policy applies to personal guidance, including video calling, whereby medicademis reserves the right to limit the number of contact moments at its own discretion in the event of excessive demand for support (i.e., a structurally higher number of contact requests than the average for our other clients), and to communicate this unilaterally before proceeding to do so. Naturally, this reservation does not apply should complications unexpectedly arise after the treatment.