What Are Lesions and How Do They Form on the Body?

A skin lesion is a general term that refers to an abnormality of the skin and underlying tissue that makes it appear different from the surrounding skin. Types of skin lesions can include a lump, rash, sore, or something more permanent, such as a mole, sun spot, or scar. Many people also get vascular lesions, like birthmarks and spider veins.

There are a variety of reasons people choose to have skin lesions removed. They may cause physical discomfort or be located in a place where a person would prefer clear skin. Below, we’ll look at what causes skin lesions and why patients may have a lesion evaluated at New Body Aesthetics in Cincinnati, OH. Board-certified physician and aesthetic expert Dr. Cory A. Gaiser offers services to remove unwanted skin lesions using cutting-edge laser technology.

What causes skin lesions?

It’s common for people to want to remove pigmented skin lesions that stand out from the rest of their skin. New precision laser technology can target these areas now that we understand the causes of skin lesions.

Most lesions have a specific cause. Sun spots are caused by UV light accelerating the body’s melanin production. Rashes, sores, and scars have more immediate causes, such as infections and injuries.

Other types of pigmented skin lesions fall into one of the following categories:

• Capillary malformations are red and lacy-looking lesions called port-wine stains, and are commonly found on the face and neck. They are caused by low blood flow between capillaries.

• Venous malformations result from abnormal vein development. Blood vessels become tangled, resulting in low blood flow and easy dilation. Vascular lesions appear as maroon, purple, or blue spots.

• Arteriovenous malformations are a more serious form of tangled blood vessels that involve the arteries. These appear as red or purple marks that, if left untreated, can be disfiguring, affect tissues and organs, or burst and cause a stroke.

• Pyogenic granulomas are small, noncancerous tumors that appear as red, raised bumps on the skin. They usually occur after an injury and can bleed easily.

• Pigmented nevi, or moles, are typically brown or black, resulting from an abnormal proliferation of melanocytes (aka pigment cells).

• Tattoos are technically lesions because they are abnormally pigmented sections of skin.

Many of these lesions are treatable by laser therapy. The first step in determining what causes a skin lesion and deciding if nonsurgical laser treatment is appropriate is to consult with Dr. Gaiser at New Body Aesthetics in Cincinnati, OH.

Laser treatment for skin lesions

Laser therapy can help remove or diminish the appearance of skin lesions that are either acquired or present at birth. New Body Aesthetics in Cincinnati, OH uses the state-of-the-art Harmony XL PRO to remove lesions, including tattoos and acne scars. We offer procedures such as ClearVein™, a nonsurgical solution for treating vascular lesions such as varicose and spider veins.

Lasers work by emitting pulsating beams of light that heat up and destroy pigment cells in the damaged layers of skin. By using specific wavelengths, lasers can target pigmented areas without damaging the healthy skin surrounding them. If the laser targets a vein, the heat from the laser will collapse the vein, causing it to be reabsorbed by the body and fade away.

Laser lesion removal in Cincinnati, OH

Laser skin lesion removal is a nonsurgical, noninvasive treatment for achieving clear, even, and radiant skin. But it may not be suitable for everyone and requires a consultation with a board-certified physician before creating a treatment plan.

If you’re looking to remove skin lesions for comfort or a confidence boost, contact New Body Aesthetics in Cincinnati, OH for a private consultation with physician and aesthetics expert Dr. Cory A. Gaiser.