I have fair, thin skin and noticed a few new red moles that had developed during my first pregnancy. I wasn’t apprehensive about them because my doctor reassured me they were normal and told me things like pregnancy could bring them on. Hormones can cause these little red spots, also known as cherry angiomas, so I figured that was why I had some. They appear primarily on your trunk area, are noncancerous, and are basically a cluster of blood vessels. He also told me they were nothing to worry about and weren’t cancerous, which put my mind at ease.
I had three kids in three years, and with each pregnancy, my red mole collection grew
I really noticed how many cherry angiomas I got with my third pregnancy, and one day in the shower I counted over 100 red spots that I didn’t have the previous year – that didn’t even count the ones I had on my back.
While I wasn’t super self-conscious about them and they didn’t keep me from wearing certain clothes, I wanted them gone. I felt like they kept multiplying even after I was done having kids, and some of them were getting bigger. They began getting irritated very easily — especially the ones I had under my bra area, and I had a few on my legs that would bleed when I would shave.
Most of mine were on my chest and stomach area, and I had one on my side that was constantly red and sore because it would get caught under my sports bra when I changed clothes or got in a really good workout.
I did some research and found out you can get these for many reasons: pregnancy, age, sun exposure, and genetics
Well, both my parents have a few of these, but not as many as I did. And yes, I was getting older and had done some damage to my skin by tanning a lot in my younger years.
Then one night, I was scrolling Instagram and saw a video of someone getting these annoying spots lasered off. I was in awe and called my medical spa right away to see if I could make an appointment to have mine removed as well. The answer was yes, so I made an appointment right away.
The laser procedure was so much easier and less expensive — about $250-$400 per session, depending on where you live — than I thought. After my first half-hour session, they were able to get rid of about half of the cherry angiomas I had. Although everyone is different, there was no pain, and I was able to walk right out of there and go home with zero discomfort.
The laser turned them dark red right away
Then, after a day or so, they were purple. After a few weeks, they just fell off, not even leaving the slightest mark behind. They were just gone.
I booked another half-hour session to get rid of the rest of them, and in about six weeks, all my red marks were completely gone and there weren't even any scars.
It’s so much easier shaving my legs, and I have to admit, I love looking down and seeing how much clearer my skin is. I no longer have to be careful while taking off a bra, or worry about the moles getting snagged on my clothing, which is freeing.
If I start getting more, I will definitely make another appointment and have them removed – it’s so satisfying to watch them fade away. The most important thing to remember is that if you have your cherry angiomas removed, you need to stay out of the sun for a good six weeks — so having the procedure done in fall or winter is probably best. But whether you have a few cherry angiomas or a lot, I can’t recommend this procedure enough.
*Disclaimer: The advice on Mom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
