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I have this dark blue/purple lesion on my lip that keeps getting bigger. I went to see the dermatologist and she said that it's a venous lake. She said it was nothing I had to worry about. Does anyone else have one or know of someone who does? If so, what was your/their treatment?
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Hello, I've had a venous lake on my upper lip for years, though its getting bigger lately, especially since I go to the gym and do cardiovascular exercises. I'd like to have it removed (with laser) but I worry about the healing process. How long does it take to completely heal after the treatment? does the laser leave a big scar or crust? many thanks!
March 18, 2011 - 3:16pmThis Comment
I have had several laser treatments (see my previous posts) and none have left a scar. I asked about exercising after treatments and they have said it's not a problem but I was skeptical-not that I think I know more but unless you have had a VL, no one knows like we do that even bending over fills them and makes them throb. It was my personal feeling that I was going to wait until it healed and not add stress to it while it was still healing. While everyone heals at different rates, mine was mostly healed within a week. If you keep it well creamed (they should give you a salve of some sort after your procedure) it will aid in the healing and scaring process. It's not that much different than a cold sore. If it gets dry, it will crack, bleed and lengthen the time for it to heal plus be more prone to scarring. So it's very important to cream it often. The only thing that changed is the skin is a little lighter because of the cauterized blood vessels but not to the point of being noticeable. Good luck! Keep us informed as to your experience.
March 20, 2011 - 10:47amHolly
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I've posted a few times about my situation. I have had several treatments with a dermatologist using the Cutera Laser. While it seems a little less noticeable, it is not gone. I also was given the option to have it cut out but opted not to. I have been wondering if a Vascular Surgeon is an option. Any one seen one for their VL?
February 6, 2011 - 9:01pm-Holly
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I've had this bump for about 2 years. My regular doctor diagnosed it as Venuous Lake and suggested cutting it out himself. Oops! No! I went to a plastic surgeon who agreed with the diagnosis and wanted to cut it out also. Both tol dme VLs can only get bigger. I was schedule with the plastic surgeon Dec.18 but postponed due to another commitment. Good thing I did! In January it began to get SMALLER! Yes, smaller! It is now about 95% gone and I'm watching closely to see where we'll go next. It never reached the point of bleeding or throbbing and I think it was probably deeper than most of you here. In any event, this website has been fabulous and I now know where to go when (if?) the VL returns. I don't know why mine has receded in size; just one of those weird quirky things about me.
February 3, 2011 - 9:41pmThis Comment
Hi anonymous,
February 4, 2011 - 8:57amGlad your VL seems to have resolved itself for now. If it comes back, would you go back to your dermatologist?
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Hi, Christine. I've only been to my GP and a plastic surgeon. But if it comes back, having read these comments, I'll definately go to a dermatologist. This website has been enormously helpful in helping me identify the appropriate physician.
February 6, 2011 - 12:21pmThis Comment
Hi I have one on my lip and went to the doctor who said I would need to go to UCSF for treatment. I do find that putting Tea Tree oil on it will reduce the swelling in 5 min. I got some lip balm with it added while in Australia that works well. I notice some lipsticks seem to set it off along with spicy food.
January 14, 2011 - 11:41amThis Comment
We all appreciate hearing what works for others. We all respond differently but you never know if there is something out there that will work for all of us (other than surgery which in and of itself hasn't worked for all of us). Personally I haven't picked up on a lipstick problem or spicy food but I will take special notice next time. Thank you for your observations.
January 14, 2011 - 12:20pm-Holly
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I commented a while back but when I had a venous lake on the bottom of my lip I felt it ruined my life. I had people asking me all the time (maybe jokingly) if I had herpes...it would bleed....I know docotors days they do not know what cause it but I know I had to have gotten mine from biting my lips...anything I do like play basketball or just have fun I would bit my lips
I had 3 docs try to remove it and finally one in Nov 07 lasered it ...charged me 500.00 for the laser....but it was still was on my face bleeding back in 2007...Luckily he felt sorry for me and removed it....the next day (Nov 2007)
It never grew back but I have a scar near my mouth....it blends with my skin now but I am not the same person I was before I had gotten the hemmangioma back in July 07.....
Not sure if everybody is getting them on their lips but I got mine in my skin at the bottom of the lip
Not sure how good laser is but surgery removal is better in my opinion..I went for scar revision in 09 but scar looks the same in my opinion
December 24, 2010 - 9:31pmThis Comment
Thanks for sharing your story and this helpful information. It sounds like you're doing better than you were before, and I hope the new year brings you many good things.
December 27, 2010 - 5:13pmTake care,
Pat
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