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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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It's funny how perspectives can change. I once hated my venous lake, now, after the botched laser procedure, all I pray is for my venous lake back because what I have is so much worse! Never under-appreciate what you have, even if you don't like everything.
October 23, 2010 - 11:17pmThis Comment
I had two Vbeam for venous lake in middle of my lower lip. After the second Vbeam , which still didn't get rid of it or change its size (maybe made it 30% fainter), I had the unexpected surprise to have a large patch of whitening/blanching of my lip, seems the laser destroyed blood vessels around the spot and now I have a very unevenly toned lip. So be very careful about doing laser for VLs or you can end up with discoloration and I am quite sad that it looks worse than if I had done nothing.
October 14, 2010 - 5:50pmThis Comment
Anonymous- How long ago did you have this procedure? I am just wondering if it's temporary and with time new vessels will fill in. This condition certainly varies person to person and very frustrating for all of us. Keep us posted if you see improvement.
October 14, 2010 - 10:06pmAny experience shared here, good or bad is welcomed. The more information we have, the better.
Holly
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The first laser treatment was done about 3 months ago, after that it did heal within 1 month and the white discoloration was not too bad.
The second laser was done 1 month ago and it is after this one that the discoloration became quite prominent, in other words, after the first treatment, 1 month later it was better but not this time.
I hope you are right and blood vessels can grow back, keeping my fingers crossed.
October 15, 2010 - 7:36amThis Comment
I have had a small blue bump on my lower lip for about 10 years. While pregnant with my first child 3 years ago it really got big like a black bean on my lip. I had it removed 2years ago, my dentist had said it was a mucocele, (which after researching on my own I would really put my money on it being a VL), however they did surgically remove the "lump". It was gone about 1 month and came back just as big as before. The surgery did leave a very thin faint scar in the center of my lip, hardly notiecable at all and did not leave my lip deformed in any way.
July 28, 2010 - 10:44pmI am currently with out insurance but soooooo desperate to get this off my lip before the new school year. Kids ask about it several times a day, everyday and I am so ready to feel comfortable in pictures again.
I will post again to let you know what unfolds.
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Hi there,
I am a 32-year old female with a venous lake/hemangioma on my lower lip that has recurrent bleeding which I am unable to stop up for generally about an hour or more! It's quite bothersome not only from a cosmetic concern, but mostly because unstoppable bleeds interfere with my work! I am in the health sector and can't be bleeding all over patients! This forum has been very informative and I have a dermatology consultation coming up. I was wondering if anyone can elaborate on the healing time after their laser treatments. I hear there is scabbing and bruising. How long does this last? I don't want to go back to work post-treatment and have more recurrent bleeding. Any comments or advice about the immediate post-treatment results? Thank you!
July 26, 2010 - 6:09amThis Comment
Hello-
October 25, 2010 - 10:38amI had my laser treatment 2 zaps to be exact on May 18, 2010. I was quick and easy. Didn't feel a thing because the doctor iced my lip before he did the treatment. Skin exfoliated from my lip for a few weeks and then healed. Used and still use Vaseline on my lips. For the first couple months I felt a little hard seed inside my lip but visual of any treatment. Now it has been 5 months and even that has dissipated and no longer exists. It is like I never had a Venous Lake. Lips look completely normal now. Good luck with your treatment!
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Forgot to mention, my Venous Lake would bleed periodically. So since it was "medically necessary" for me to get treatment the doctor was able to bill my insurance and the procedure was completely covered. Because my Venous Lake would bleed the insurance covered it otherwise they would consider it cosmetic.
I don't work in the medical profession. Everything I've written is my own experience.
THANK YOU empowHER!!!! If I didn't get all this info from patients all over the world my lip would not of turned out well. My first dermatologist/plastic surgeon wanted to cut it out, "I said WAIT, I'd like to do a little research first!!" If I didn't do the research I would not of gotten the good results and my lip probably would of look deformed "chopped liver" in my opinion.
So I just want to THANK ALL OF YOU that help me come to an informed decision on my healthcare. Girl Power....EmpowHER!!!
October 25, 2010 - 11:02amThis Comment
Thank you for coming back and giving an update. I'm so glad you have had a positive experience despite the initial "cut it out." You are your own best advocate!
October 26, 2010 - 2:58pmLet us know if you need to do more research in the future. We're happy to help~
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Laser I think is the best way to go.
My lip would bleed unexpectedly about every three months. I went to a dermatologist and she was all ready to cut into it. I said, wait...what about scaring or deformity. Her answer was not what I wanted to hear.
So I started to do research and found this website. A lady in Georgia had wonderful success with Laser treatment and listed her doctors name. So I called her doctor from California and the nurse told me that doctor used the Cutera Laser with the Cool Tip.
In the meantime I was going to another dermatologist for Vbeam treatments for Rosacea (facial redness). I asked her to zap my lip also at my third treatment. It made it a little smaller but did not go away. My Vbeam treatments were $300. each. out of pocket.
Then about 6 months Iater I went to yet another dermatologist that had the Cutera Laser. He did two quick zaps on my lip and it was done. He was also able to get my insurance to cover it because it was medically necessary because of the spontaneous bleeding. It has been three months since my treatment and it is completely gone. I can't see anything, my lips look completely normal. But if I push down hard on the spot with my tongue I can feel a tiny dot of solid tissue probably a little scar mass. Probably the Vbeam would of worked but the beam was set for my face and probably was not strong enough strength for my lip. Plus the tip she was using was about 2 x 1 in wide. When I did the Cutera the tip was almost like a pen zapping me.
Most likely all these laser come with different tips. Most important thing is to get someone who knows what they are doing from experience.
This is my own experience. I am not in the medical profession.
July 26, 2010 - 1:01pmThis Comment