Are Cherry Angiomas Dangerous?
No. Cherry angiomas are completely benign. They are not cancerous, they do not become cancerous, and they are not a sign of cancer.
However, this reassurance comes with one important caveat: you need to be confident that what you are looking at actually is a cherry angioma and not something else. A small number of skin conditions can look similar to cherry angiomas, and some of those do require medical attention.
When to see your GP
You should have a spot checked by your GP or a dermatologist if:
- It is growing rapidly in size
- It has an irregular shape or uneven colour (cherry angiomas are typically uniform and symmetrical)
- It is changing in appearance over weeks
- It bleeds frequently or does not heal
- It looks different from your other cherry angiomas (the “ugly duckling” sign)
- A large number of new spots appear very suddenly (a sudden eruption of many new angiomas can occasionally be associated with underlying conditions)
- You are simply unsure whether it is a cherry angioma or something else
When in doubt, get it checked. Your GP can usually identify a cherry angioma by looking at it, and can refer you to a dermatologist if they want a closer examination with a dermatoscope.
Do Cherry Angiomas Go Away on Their Own?
No. Once a cherry angioma has formed, it is permanent. It will not shrink, fade or disappear by itself. Some may grow slightly larger over time, and new ones will likely continue to appear as you age, but existing ones will stay unless they are professionally removed.
No cream, supplement or home remedy has been proven to remove cherry angiomas. Over-the-counter products marketed for “red mole removal” are, at best, ineffective and, at worst, can damage the surrounding skin or cause scarring.
How Are Cherry Angiomas Removed?
If your cherry angiomas are bothering you cosmetically, catching on clothing or jewellery, or occasionally bleeding, professional removal is quick, straightforward and effective. There are several proven methods.
CryoPen (cryotherapy)
CryoPen treatment uses a precisely targeted jet of nitrous oxide at -89°C to freeze the cherry angioma. The extreme cold destroys the blood vessels within the growth, causing it to blister, dry out and fall off naturally within 1 to 2 weeks.
CryoPen is one of the most popular methods for cherry angioma removal because it is fast (just a few seconds per spot), requires no anaesthetic, and can treat multiple angiomas in a single session. It is particularly well-suited to smaller cherry angiomas on the body.
Advanced electrolysis (electrocautery)
Advanced electrolysis uses a fine probe to deliver a controlled electrical current directly to the cherry angioma. The current cauterises the blood vessels, cutting off the blood supply and causing the angioma to shrink and eventually disappear. For smaller angiomas, the result is often immediate.
This method offers excellent precision, making it a good choice for cherry angiomas on the face, neck or other areas where accuracy matters. It is also effective for slightly larger or raised angiomas that may not respond as well to cryotherapy alone.
Which method is better?
Both methods are effective and safe. The best choice depends on the size, location and number of your cherry angiomas. At House of Aesthetics, we offer both CryoPen and advanced electrolysis and will recommend the most appropriate option during your free consultation. In many cases, your practitioner can remove your cherry angiomas on the same day as your consultation.
For a broader look at how these two methods compare across different skin blemishes, read our guide to milia removal: electrolysis vs CryoPen.
Does the NHS Remove Cherry Angiomas?
In most cases, no. The NHS classifies cherry angioma removal as a cosmetic procedure, which means it is not routinely funded. Your GP may agree to refer you for removal if a cherry angioma is regularly bleeding, causing functional problems, or if there is any uncertainty about the diagnosis that warrants further investigation. But for the vast majority of people, private removal is the only practical option.
At House of Aesthetics in Bromley, we offer cherry angioma removal with a free initial consultation. No GP referral is needed, and we can often treat you on the same day.
What to Expect During and After Removal
During the appointment
Your practitioner will first examine your cherry angiomas to confirm the diagnosis and check that each spot is suitable for treatment. The removal itself takes just a few seconds per angioma. For CryoPen, you will feel a brief cold sensation. For electrolysis, you will feel a quick, warm prick. Most patients find both methods very manageable without any anaesthetic, though numbing cream can be applied if you prefer.
A session treating multiple cherry angiomas rarely takes longer than 20 to 30 minutes.
After the appointment
You may notice some redness, a small scab or slight swelling at each treatment site. This is normal and typically resolves within a few days for electrolysis, or 1 to 2 weeks for CryoPen (where the frozen tissue needs time to dry and shed naturally). Do not pick at the scabs. Keep the area clean, avoid direct sun exposure on the treated sites, and apply SPF 30+ if the area is exposed to sunlight.
Once healed, the cherry angioma is gone. It will not regrow in the same spot. However, new cherry angiomas may appear elsewhere on the body over time, as the underlying tendency to develop them does not change.
Can You Prevent Cherry Angiomas?
There is currently no proven way to prevent cherry angiomas from forming. Since age and genetics are the two biggest factors, and you cannot change either of those, the focus is on managing them rather than preventing them.
That said, a few general skin health habits may help to some degree:
- Consistent SPF use protects the skin from UV-driven damage that may contribute to angioma formation
- A balanced diet rich in antioxidants supports overall skin health and may reduce oxidative stress on blood vessels
- Moderate alcohol consumption supports liver health, which has been linked to cherry angioma prevalence
- Regular skin checks help you stay familiar with your skin so you notice any changes early
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