Do you have a blue bump or swelling on your lip? If so, you may have a venous lake. These fairly common blue/purple soft bumps or swellings are caused by a single dilated vein. They mainly appear on sun-exposed surfaces such as lips and ears, and generally occur in those over 40 years old. While not dangerous, they usually grow slowly, can get in the way of chewing and eating, and they don’t look particularly nice.
A patient we saw recently had a venous lake on her lower lip and had been told by her dermatologist that the only effective treatment was to have it surgically removed. We hear this far too often. Surgery leaves an unacceptable and unnecessary scar. Not wanting to go “under the knife”, she sought further treatment options at SkinCare Physicians. After one treatment with our Gentle YAG laser, which took all of 30 seconds to perform and caused minimal discomfort, she reported 75% improvement and was thrilled with the results. She was so thankful that she had avoided surgery!
If you are self-conscious about a venous lake on your lip, consider a consultation at SkinCare Physicians for laser treatment.
Contributing author: Heather Hamilton
I have 2 venous lakes on my lower lip. Looking to get removed
Hi, please call 617-731-1600 to schedule an appointment. Thanks.
I have had a blueish/purple ish bump on my bottom right lip for years and it’s bothering me more and more by cracking. I’m wondering if I can have it surgically removed ??
It may be a venous lake. I’d suggest you have it checked by a dermatologist. If they confirm the diagnosis, don’t have it surgically removed. Rather a long pulsed Nd:YAG laser will do the trick in 1 to 3 very simple treatments.
I am 78 years old and have Venous lake large on the bottom lip for over 20 years it has gotten bigger and I am self conscious of how it looks. I teach college students. How to find a specialist who will do a treatment carefully? Will it hurt? How long to heal up
Be sure to identify a dermatologist with special expertise in Laser Surgery who has a long Pulsed Nd:YAG laser and who treats venous lakes.
Given your history I suspect it will be covered by your medical insurance.
How much does this Yag Laser treatment cost?
Please call our office at 617 731-1600.
Hello – I have a bump on bottom lip but it’s not blue. It’s not painful, it does chap more on it but it’s not going away. Is that considered venous lake as well?
Venous lakes by definition are blue in color and are collections of blood in a dilated vessel or vessels. It sounds like your bump is something different. Best to have it checked out by your dermatologist.
I have had two laser treatments with the Pulsed dye laser over the last two years with minimal results. Does the ND Yag work better? I did read a study where both of these lasers were used and the venous lake was gone with one treatment. Is there ever a point where surgery is the right choice? Thank you! So grateful for this article.
The Nd YAG is far superior to the Pulsed Dye Laser for treating venous lakes. Given this new advance, surgery is almost never indicated.
I live in Hawaii. Have had a Venous lake on my lower left side of lip for at least 15-20 yrs. I am 68, female. I read about the YAG laser treatment. Is there any hope for me?
Absolutely. There is no age limit for treatment of Venous Lakes with the appropriate laser. 1 to 3 treatments may be needed to achieve the best possible result but you should do beautifully.