Quick Question: What Are Cherry Angiomas?

If you have fair skin, you might be familiar with bright red, cherry-like raised marks on your complexion. These vibrant dots are known as “cherry angiomas” and while they’re completely harmless, we chatted with board-certified dermatologist and Skincare.com expert Joshua Zeichner, M.D., about what they are, why you might have them and what product you  can use to help conceal them temporarily. 

What Are Cherry Angiomas?

According to Dr. Zeichner, cherry angiomas are typically small, bright red circular marks on the skin. “Small ones may be flat, while large ones may become raised,” he says. “They are extra blood vessels that grow in the upper layers of the skin.” Cherry angiomas are seen across all skin types, but are most common in people with light skin tones. 

How to Address Cherry Angiomas

“Cherry angiomas are primarily a cosmetic concern,” says Dr. Zeichner. If you choose to do something about them, they can be treated by your dermatologist using a device called a cautery or by using a laser. “The cautery physically burns away the extra blood vessels, while a laser emits a beam of light that targets, heats up and destroys the blood vessel.”

How to Conceal Cherry Angiomas at Home

If you don’t want to take the step to remove them at a dermatologist but they still bug you, you can easily cover them up at home with self-tanners, concealers or foundation. We recommend the Dermablend Cover Care Concealer for this, which is a full-coverage formula that effectively covers discoloration and spots. 

“If you see a new or changing spot, visit your dermatologist for evaluation,” says Dr. Zeichner. He also notes that in some cases cherry angiomas may develop clots and turn dark purple or black. “This is a common reason that patients come into the office. The good news is that this is completely harmless.”

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