What to expect from pulsed dye laser treatment for cherry angioma

A cherry angioma is a small collection of visible blood vessels in the skin. Pulsed dye laser light is absorbed by blood within those vessels, creating heat that can make the treated vessels shrink or fade. The beam is aimed at the lesion while nearby skin is protected as much as possible.

The area may look red, darker, bruised, swollen, or crusted after treatment. The appearance usually changes during healing, so the final result should not be judged immediately. Some lesions need more than one treatment session, depending on their size, depth, colour, and response.

Tell the clinician about recent tanning, medicines that increase light sensitivity or bleeding, a history of poor wound healing, and any change in the spot. Do not try to remove the lesion yourself. After treatment, keep the area clean, avoid picking, protect it from sun as directed, and use only recommended creams or dressings.

A new, changing, bleeding, or uncertain red spot should be assessed before cosmetic treatment. The procedure details are covered in [Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment](/treatments/laser-and-energy/pulsed-dye-laser-treatment/).

Contact the clinic if pain, swelling, redness, warmth, or drainage keeps increasing, or if fever develops. Seek assessment for blistering, a wound that is not healing, or a treated spot whose diagnosis becomes uncertain. Do not cover a concerning change with further cosmetic treatment before it is reviewed.

Ask how the lesion was identified, what colour and texture changes are expected, how many sessions may be considered, and how the area should be protected afterward. Confirm which products to use, when to resume shaving or makeup, and which changes require a prompt review.