Venous Lake
What is
Venous Lake?
Venous Lake,
also known medically as Phlebectasis is a dilation of a vein, soft, compressible,
dark blue to violaceous in colour. Venous Lakes tend to be isolated and commonly
found on sun-exposed surfaces of the vermilion border of the lip, face and
ears. These lesions can be flat or slightly dome-shaped.
What
causes a Venous Lake?
The cause of
Venous Lakes is still not completely understood. The most likely cause is
chronic sun damage to the walls of the superficial veins. This damage leads to
the dilation of veins on the surface of the skin resulting in an elevated, dark
blue papule. Venous Lakes are common and may affect more than one member of a
family, but they are not inherited, contagious or catching. They are benign and
more common in men than women.
How to
treat a Venous Lake?
The
treatment for Venous Lakes includes high frequency electrical current with a
laser, one treatment is usually standard, however if large in size more than one
treatment may be required. They are treated to improve the appearance or the
area and occasionally to prevent bleeding.
The
treatment is quick and simple with minor discomfort, involves first using the
Laser out of contact at low power for a few minutes for deep penetration into
the lesion which is rich in haemoglobin, the (Nd:Yag) or diode with an
uninitiated tip is the type of laser offered. After the lesion has absorbed
sufficient laser energy, the laser can then be used in contact to open the
tissue and remove the remaining dried blood. Procedure can be used on all skin
types and treatment is suitable for most people.
