Have you noticed a dark spot on your lip that won’t go away? Lip hemangiomas and venous lakes are blue or purple lesions that can occur on the upper or lower lip.
While they might look very similar to the naked eye, they are structurally a little different. Hemangiomas are caused by a cluster or group of blood vessels, whereas a venous lake is just one single dilated blood vessel. Because the blood trapped inside these vessels doesn’t have any oxygen in it, these spots often appear distinctly blue—which is exactly how venous lakes get their name.
Why Do People Get Them Treated?
Patients with a capillary hemangioma or a venous lip malformation usually seek treatment for a few common reasons:
- Aesthetic concerns: They simply don’t like how the dark spot looks on their smile.
- Functional limitations: The raised bump might get in the way of eating, speaking, or brushing.
- Psychological concerns: The spot might make them feel self-conscious or anxious in social situations.
Is It Cancerous?
This is often the very first question patients ask. You can put your worries to rest: though medical professionals technically classify them as “tumors,” lip hemangiomas and venous lakes are completely benign (non-cancerous).
In the medical world, the word “tumor” simply refers to an irregular mass of tissue. However, even with that peace of mind, you should always have your specific lesion looked at by a professional just to make sure that it is in fact a hemangioma or venous lake and not something else that requires different care.
How Do I Treat It?
You do not have to live with a spot that makes you feel self-conscious. We can help treat lip hemangiomas and venous lakes safely and effectively with targeted laser treatment.
This minimally invasive approach allows us to precisely target the blood vessels, often leaving the surrounding tissue perfectly intact with beautiful, clear cosmetic results. The best part? Most of the time, one single laser treatment is all it takes to resolve the issue completely.
Real Results by a Board-Certified Periodontist
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After 1 Laser Treatment.
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After 1 Laser Treatment.
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After 1 Laser Treatment.
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After 1 Laser Treatment.
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After 1 Laser Treatment.
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After 1 Laser Treatment.
What is the dark blue spot on my lip?
- A dark blue or purple spot on the upper or lower lip is often a lip hemangioma or a venous lake. A hemangioma is caused by a group of blood vessels, while a venous lake is a single dilated blood vessel. Because the trapped blood lacks oxygen, the lesion takes on a distinct blue color.
Is a lip hemangioma or venous lake cancerous?
- No. Although medical professionals refer to them as “tumors” (which simply means an irregular mass of tissue), lip hemangiomas and venous lakes are completely benign and non-cancerous.
How do you remove a venous lake or hemangioma from the lip?
- These lesions can be effectively removed using targeted laser treatment. This minimally invasive approach safely targets the blood vessels, and most of the time, only one single treatment is needed to achieve clear aesthetic results.
Erase the spot and restore your confidence. Book your laser consultation with Dr. Feldner now.