Campbell de Morgan Removal

Started noticing little red dots appearing on your body that weren't there before? You might have dismissed the first few, but now they seem to be multiplying. They're on your chest, your stomach, maybe your back. You've probably Googled them (and scared yourself) before discovering they're called Campbell de Morgan spots or cherry angiomas—and they're completely harmless.

Campbell de Morgan removal uses laser treatment to eliminate the cherry-red angiomas that commonly appear on adult torsos. The LUMINA® laser coagulates the dilated capillaries forming these benign spots, which your body absorbs over 4-8 weeks. Most spots disappear after 1-3 treatments.

Campbell de Morgan spots are one of the most common benign skin growths in adults. Named after the 19th-century British surgeon who first described them, they're also known as cherry angiomas because of their bright cherry-red colour. They're essentially small clusters of dilated capillaries—tiny blood vessels that have formed into visible red spots on your skin's surface.

Understanding Campbell de Morgan Spots:

These spots have distinctive characteristics that make them easy to identify:

• Appearance — Bright red, cherry-coloured spots that range from pinpoint size (1-2mm) to larger growths (up to 5-6mm). They're usually round or oval.

• Texture — They start flat but often become slightly raised over time. The surface may feel smooth or have a slightly rubbery texture.

• Colour — Bright red to deep burgundy, depending on depth and blood flow. Some may appear purple.

• Blanching — They briefly fade when pressed, then fill back with blood—a characteristic of vascular lesions.

Where They Typically Appear:

While Campbell de Morgan spots can appear anywhere, they have favourite locations:

• Trunk — The most common area, including chest, stomach, and sides.

• Back — Particularly the upper back.

• Arms and shoulders — Often in sun-exposed areas.

• Thighs — Upper thigh area is fairly common.

• Face — Less common but can occur.

They rarely appear on hands, feet, or mucous membranes.

Why Campbell de Morgan Spots Develop:

The exact cause remains unknown, but several factors are associated with their development:

• Age — They become increasingly common after age 30, with most adults developing at least a few by middle age. Some estimates suggest up to 75% of people over 75 have them.

• Genetics — If your parents had cherry angiomas, you're more likely to develop them too. There's a strong hereditary component.

• Hormones — Pregnancy seems to trigger or increase their development in some women.

• Climate and environment — Some studies suggest they may be more common in certain climates.

• Chemical exposure — Exposure to certain chemicals has been linked to increased cherry angioma development, though this is relevant mainly for occupational exposure.

Are They Dangerous?

Campbell de Morgan spots are completely benign—they're not cancerous and won't become cancerous. They don't spread or cause health problems. The only reasons to treat them are cosmetic: if they bother you, you don't have to live with them.

However, it's important to distinguish cherry angiomas from other red spots that might need medical attention. If a red spot is irregular in shape, varies in colour, bleeds without trauma, or changes rapidly, it should be assessed by a medical professional. Kathryn at Mode Laser Skin Clinic will confirm that your spots are indeed harmless cherry angiomas before any treatment.

How Laser Treatment Works:

Mode Laser Skin Clinic uses the LUMINA® laser to treat Campbell de Morgan spots. The treatment works through selective photothermolysis—the laser's specific wavelength is absorbed by the blood in the dilated vessels. The laser energy converts to heat. Heat damages the vessel walls, causing them to collapse.

• The blood coagulates and the vessels collapse

• Over weeks, your body absorbs the damaged tissue

• The spot fades and eventually disappears

What you'll see: Immediately after treatment, the red spot turns grey or dark. This is the coagulated blood and damaged tissue. Over the following 4-8 weeks, your body's natural processes clear this away and the spot fades from view.

Treatment Variables:

Several factors affect how many treatments you'll need:

• Spot size — Small spots (1-2mm) often disappear after one treatment. Larger spots may need 2-3 sessions.

• Spot thickness — Flat spots respond faster than raised ones.

• Number of spots — Multiple spots can be treated in one session, but very numerous spots might be staged across appointments.

• Location — Some areas respond faster than others.

Most clients see excellent results within 1-3 treatments spaced 8-10 weeks apart.

Treatment Alternatives:

While laser is the most common treatment at Mode Laser Skin Clinic, other options exist:

• Electrocautery — Uses electrical current to destroy the vessels. Effective but may cause more surface trauma.

Kathryn will recommend the most appropriate method for your specific spots.

Living with Campbell de Morgan Spots:

If you choose not to treat them, cherry angiomas are perfectly safe to leave alone. They don't require monitoring unless they change (which would warrant assessment). Some people simply accept them as part of aging.

However, if they bother you—whether that's a single prominent spot on your chest or dozens scattered across your torso—treatment is straightforward, effective, and permanent for those specific spots. New ones may develop over time, but treated spots don't return.

Kathryn's Experience:

With 20+ years of laser experience at Mode Laser Skin Clinic, Kathryn has treated hundreds of cherry angiomas. She'll assess your spots during consultation, confirm they're appropriate for treatment, explain what results to expect, and carry out treatment with the precision that comes from extensive experience.