Can a Cherry Angioma Be Professionally Removed?

at a spot before we treat it, so anything that needs medical attention gets flagged and the harmless ones can be cleared if they bother you.

What Is a Cherry Angioma?

A cherry angioma is a small growth made up of tiny blood vessels that have multiplied near the surface of the skin. It usually looks like a bright red or purple dot, and you might also hear it called a cherry hemangioma or a ruby point. A small one can be flat and no bigger than a pinhead. A larger one can be a smooth, raised bump up to about the size of a pencil eraser, and deeper in colour.

By around 75, most people have at least one. The reason they form is not known, though it tends to track with aging skin and genetics. A cherry angioma is not a warning sign of anything serious, and having several is normal rather than a reason to worry.

Cherry Angioma vs Petechiae and Other Red Spots

Once a cherry angioma appears, it stays unless it is removed. The exception is one that appears during pregnancy, which can shrink or disappear after delivery. Petechiae are flat spots that show up when tiny blood vessels leak under the skin, and they fade once what caused the leak disappears. Because petechiae come from bleeding, seeing a fresh patch is a reason to get checked.

Red spots that appear or spread within a few hours should be seen by a doctor right away, since they can point to an infection or a clotting problem. The spider veins that show up on the face and legs are another red mark people can mistake for a cherry angioma. People sometimes call a cherry angioma a red mole, although a mole is a different type of growth, made of pigment cells rather than blood vessels.

A red spot that is changing, bleeding without an injury, or unlike your other spots needs a doctor’s assessment before any cosmetic treatment. In our clinics, if a red spot shows any of these signs, or we are not sure it is a cherry angioma, we ask you to see a doctor before we treat it.

What We See in the Clinic: Hardly anyone books just for a cherry angioma. People come in for electrolysis or to have a skin tag or mole removed, and we notice a few red spots while we are there. When we mention we can treat those too, the answer is almost always yes, and they are gone within the same visit.

How We Remove Small and Large Cherry Angiomas

Cherry angioma removal is part of Skin Revision, our electrocautery treatment for small skin blemishes. We treat each red area of a cherry angioma with a fine needle that cauterizes it, sealing it with heat. Where any red remains, we reinsert the needle and treat it again. Removal is quick, and most people can see the difference before they leave.

Jennifer’s insight: What still surprises me is how many people don’t realize a cherry angioma can be treated.

How it looks afterward depends on the size. A small cherry angioma can take only seconds and may disappear completely during the appointment. A larger one can look burnt right after treatment and then form a scab that falls away within about two weeks. That scab is barely more noticeable than the original spot, and it is not a permanent scar.

Numbing is optional. Most people skip it for a small spot, and some choose a numbing cream for a larger one. Do not try to remove one at home: these spots are full of tiny blood vessels, so they bleed easily, and cutting or burning one off can leave a scar or lead to infection.

Our practitioners treat only the spots that are safe to remove, whether you have one cherry angioma or several.

Next Step

Book a free consultation (in-person or virtual) to confirm that your red spots are cherry angiomas, and get a quote based on how many you want treated.

We offer Skin Revision at most of our clinics, so check our locations before you book.

Common Questions About Cherry Angiomas

Are Cherry Angiomas Dangerous?

No. Cherry angiomas are harmless. If a spot changes or bleeds for no clear reason, have a doctor check it to confirm it is a cherry angioma and nothing else.

Is It Normal to Have Several Cherry Angiomas?

Yes. They become more common with age, so it is normal to have several and to find a few new ones over time.

Does Cherry Angioma Removal Hurt?

Most people feel little more than mild warmth and light pressure. A small spot is treated in seconds, and numbing cream is there if you want it.

Can Cherry Angiomas Come Back After Removal?

A cherry angioma that has been removed does not grow back. New ones can still form nearby or elsewhere over time, and those can be treated the same way if they bother you.