You spot a red bump on your arm that wasn’t there before. Or maybe you’ve noticed fine purple veins spreading across your cheeks. These subtle changes are easy to brush off until they become something you can’t ignore. These visible marks may be vascular skin lesions, and understanding what they are and why they appear is the first step toward knowing how to handle them.
At Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery Institute (DCSI), our dermatologists evaluate both the cosmetic and medical aspects of vascular lesions. We offer personalized care supported by experience, clinical precision, and the latest advancements in treatment.
What Are Vascular Skin Lesions?
Vascular skin lesions form when blood vessels near the skin’s surface become dilated, malformed, or damaged. They can appear as red, blue, or purple marks and may be flat, raised, or web-like in appearance. Some are present from birth, while others develop later due to external or internal factors.
Common types of vascular skin lesions include spider veins, cherry angiomas, port-wine stains, and hemangiomas. These can be cosmetic or medical. Understanding the different types of vascular skin lesions is the first step toward deciding how they should be treated or observed.
What Causes Vascular Skin Lesions?
Congenital or Genetic Factors
Some individuals are born with vascular lesions, such as port-wine stains or infantile hemangiomas. These are typically caused by genetic mutations that affect the development of blood vessels. While often harmless, they may change in size or intensity over time, prompting interest in treatment.
Lifestyle and Environmental Triggers
Long-term sun exposure, especially in sunny regions like South Florida, can damage the skin and weaken blood vessels. This often leads to broken capillaries and facial vascular lesions around the nose and cheeks. Hormonal shifts during pregnancy or menopause can also cause vascular changes. Aging, pressure injuries, or the use of certain medications may contribute as well.
If you are seeing these changes and searching for dermatology services in South Florida, DCSI provides thorough evaluations and a variety of treatment options tailored to your skin and lifestyle.
Underlying Health Conditions
Some vascular skin lesions may be connected to internal medical issues. Rosacea, liver disease, and blood vessel inflammation are a few examples. Vasculitis, in particular, is a condition where the blood vessels become inflamed and can cause skin symptoms like red patches or sores.¹ When lesions are linked to medical conditions, diagnosis and treatment become especially important.
DCSI offers comprehensive medical dermatology services to evaluate and manage lesions that may be more than cosmetic.
Are Vascular Skin Lesions Harmful?
Most vascular skin lesions are not dangerous. However, any lesion that changes rapidly in appearance, bleeds, becomes painful, or appears suddenly should be evaluated by a dermatologist. In rare cases, conditions like angiosarcoma can resemble a benign lesion and require immediate care.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, skin lesions vary widely and may be harmless or a sign of something more serious. Proper identification is essential for your peace of mind and long-term skin health.² Our team at DCSI is experienced in distinguishing which lesions need monitoring and which should be removed or treated.
How Are Vascular Skin Lesions Treated at DCSI?
Treatment depends on the type of lesion, its location, and whether the concern is cosmetic or medical. At DCSI, we offer several advanced treatment options for vascular skin lesions, especially those affecting the face, legs, or other visible areas.
Laser therapy is among the most effective tools we use. Pulsed dye laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments help reduce or eliminate unwanted vessels without harming the surrounding skin. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery confirms that lasers are one of the most common and reliable treatment methods for vascular skin concerns.³
In addition to laser treatments, we may recommend sclerotherapy, topical medications, or ongoing observation. Every treatment plan is customized, and we always discuss all available options before beginning care.
Whether you are looking to address cosmetic changes through cosmetic dermatology services or seeking answers to chronic skin symptoms, our dermatologists are here to help.
Explore Related Skin Conditions
Many people with vascular skin lesions also experience other conditions, such as redness, sensitivity, or inflammation. To learn more about what we treat and how we can help, visit our skin conditions page.
Take the First Step Toward Healthier Skin
You may not think twice about a red spot or cluster of broken blood vessels, but these small skin changes can become bothersome or reflect a deeper issue. Getting answers begins with expert evaluation.
Contact Dr. Mounir M. Wassef and the DCSI team to take the first step toward healthier skin. Don’t forget to check out our latest news and press highlights to see what we’ve been up to.
Sources
- Mayo Clinic. Vasculitis: Symptoms and Causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vasculitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20363435. Accessed April 8, 2025.
- Cleveland Clinic. Skin Lesions: What They Are, Types, Causes & Treatment. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24296-skin-lesions. Accessed April 8, 2025.
- American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Skin Lesions. https://www.asds.net/skin-experts/skin-conditions/skin-lesions. Accessed April 8, 2025.