Venous Lake: What Is It and How Can It Be Treated?

A blue or purple mark on the lip may be a venous lake — a common and usually harmless vascular lesion. But what exactly is a venous lake, why does it develop, and can it be removed?

At Vein Treatment Centre, we treat venous lakes using vascular laser treatment. In this article, we explain what venous lakes are, why they occur and how they can be treated, with two videos showing the treatment process and results.

Venous lakes are common, benign vascular lesions that tend to occur in adults, particularly on areas of skin that have had significant sun exposure. They are usually harmless, but some people choose to have them treated because they are cosmetically noticeable or because they can bleed if knocked or caught.

At Vein Treatment Centre, we treat venous lakes using vascular laser treatment. We have also filmed the treatment process and the results, so you can see what treatment involves and what can be achieved.

What is a venous lake?

A venous lake is a small, dilated vein close to the surface of the skin. It typically appears as a blue, purple or dark-coloured mark, which may be flat or slightly raised.

Venous lakes are particularly common on the lower lip, although they can also occur on the upper lip, ears, face, neck and other sun-exposed areas. They are generally between a few millimetres and around 1cm in size.

One of the characteristic features of a venous lake is that it is compressible. If pressure is applied, the blood can temporarily drain from the dilated vessel, causing the lesion to flatten and become much less visible. Once the pressure is released, it gradually fills again.

What causes venous lakes?

The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but they are associated with ageing and long-term sun exposure. They are most commonly seen in people over the age of 50. Smoking may also be a contributing factor, particularly where a venous lake develops on the lip.

Venous lakes are not contagious and are not generally considered to be inherited.

Are venous lakes dangerous?

The reassuring news is that a venous lake is benign and not cancerous. Most cause no symptoms and do not require treatment from a medical perspective. (Bad)

However, because the lesion is made up of an enlarged blood vessel close to the surface of the skin, it can sometimes bleed if it is knocked, scratched or caught. Some people also simply dislike the appearance of the lesion, particularly when it is on the lip or another highly visible part of the face.

If you have a new or changing blue, purple or pigmented lesion that has not been diagnosed, it is important to have it properly assessed rather than assuming that it is a venous lake. In some cases, further investigation or biopsy may be recommended if the diagnosis is uncertain.

Do venous lakes go away on their own?

Generally, no. Once a venous lake has developed, it tends to persist throughout life unless it is treated.

Treatment is therefore usually considered for cosmetic reasons or where the lesion is causing problems such as recurrent bleeding or soreness.

How are venous lakes treated?

Venous lakes can be treated in several ways, including vascular laser treatment, sclerotherapy, cryotherapy, electrocautery and surgical removal. The most appropriate option depends on the size, location and characteristics of the individual lesion.

For suitable venous lakes, vascular laser treatment offers a precise, minimally invasive way of targeting the enlarged blood vessel. The laser energy is absorbed by the blood within the vessel, heating it and causing the vessel to close. The treated tissue is then gradually cleared by the body.

The laser energy is absorbed by the blood within the enlarged vessel. This heats the vessel, causing it to close and shrink, after which the body gradually clears the treated tissue. The British Association of Dermatologists recognises vascular laser treatment as one of the treatment options for venous lakes.

Research has also demonstrated good results with vascular laser treatment, although the response varies according to the lesion and the laser system used.

Venous Lake Treatment: See How It Works

What does venous lake treatment actually involve? In this video, Dr Ross Perry explains what a venous lake is and demonstrates how vascular laser treatment is carried out.

In this video, Dr Ross Perry explains venous lakes and demonstrates how treatment is carried out.

Seeing the treatment itself can help answer some of the questions patients naturally have about what happens during the procedure and how the lesion responds.

What happens after treatment?

The appearance of the treated area immediately after treatment can differ from how it looks once it has healed. The treated vessel needs time to respond and the body then gradually clears the damaged blood vessel.

Depending on the treatment used and the individual lesion, there may be temporary changes such as redness, swelling, darkening or crusting. There is also a risk of temporary or permanent changes in pigmentation or scarring with vascular laser treatment, so these potential risks should always be discussed during a consultation.

The aim is to achieve the best possible cosmetic result while treating the venous lake as precisely as possible.

Venous Lake Treatment: See the Results

Knowing that a treatment is available is one thing; seeing the result can be much more helpful. Our second video shows the outcome following venous lake treatment and gives a patient’s perspective on their experience.

Watch the video to see the patient’s treatment result and hear about their experience.

We believe real treatment results are one of the most useful ways for prospective patients to understand what can realistically be achieved.

Is treatment right for you?

Because venous lakes are benign, treatment isn’t necessary in most cases. The decision to treat is often a personal one.

For some patients, the lesion is barely noticeable and they are happy to leave it alone. For others, particularly when it is on the lip or face, removing it can make a significant difference to their confidence.

Treatment may also be worth considering if the venous lake is repeatedly catching or bleeding.

The important thing is to establish the correct diagnosis first and then discuss whether treatment is appropriate.

Venous lake treatment at Vein Treatment Centre

At Vein Treatment Centre, we regularly treat patients who are concerned about visible vascular lesions and want to improve their appearance.

If you have a blue or purple mark that you think may be a venous lake, we can assess it and discuss whether treatment is appropriate. Where laser treatment is suitable, the aim is to treat the abnormal blood vessel as precisely as possible while achieving a natural-looking cosmetic result.

Considering Treatment for a Venous Lake?

If you have a blue or purple lesion that you believe may be a venous lake, the first step is an assessment to confirm the diagnosis and determine whether treatment is appropriate.

At Vein Treatment Centre, we can assess the lesion and discuss whether vascular laser treatment is suitable, including what you can expect from treatment and the likely outcome.

If you’d like to discuss venous lake treatment, contact Vein Treatment Centre to arrange a consultation.

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About Vein Treatment Centre

Vein Treatment Centre specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of visible veins and vascular skin concerns. Our experienced doctors and surgeons provide treatments for thread veins, spider veins, facial veins, angiomas and other vascular lesions using established medical techniques.

If you’re concerned about a visible vein or vascular lesion, our team can assess the area and discuss the most appropriate treatment for you.

Call 020 7386 0464 or contact us to arrange a consultation.