Is A Small Red Line On Face A Symptom Of Skin Cancer?

Posted on Sun, 7 Feb 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 7 Feb 2016 Answered on

Tue, 29 Mar 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : HI, I have a red line on my face that appeared (or I just noticed) a week or go. I also have much more wrinkling of the skin in the area as well. Can you please tell me if this is skin cancer or what it might be?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Not skin cancer

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

I am Dr.Kakkar (MD, Dermatology). I have read your question and I have also reviewed the Images.

This is not skin cancer. It seems that either it is a deep wrinkle Or a superficial dilated capillary (telangiectasia). This is part of photodamage due to cummulative sun exposure over the years.
I suggest you to wear a broad spectrum sunscreen with spf 50 or higher, throughout the day. The superficial dilated capilaries i.e telangectasia can be treated with a laser e.g 585 nm flash lamp pulse XXXXXXX laser Or KTP Laser Or intense pulse light (IPL). I suggest you to visit a dermatologist regarding the laser

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar