What is Birthmark?

Have you ever wondered why some people are born with birthmarks and others aren’t? While many are harmless, others can be a hint of an underlying problem.

Birthmarks generally are a result of an overgrowth of a structure that is normally present in the skin. For example, an overgrowth of blood vessels produces vascular birthmarks or haemangiomas; an overgrowth of pigment cells produces congenital naevi or moles. Fortunately, lasers and other medical breakthroughs have provided options for those birthmarks that do not fade spontaneously and are problematic or unsightly.

Types of Birthmarks

• Port Wine Birthmark

These birthmarks take their name from their deep red or purplish color that develops from an abnormal collection of small veins near the skin surface. As they get engorged with blood, the birthmarks become thicker and may also cause increased pressure in the eyes. As the problem does not resolve with time, laser treatment is usually necessary to prevent complications.

• Hemangioma Birthmark

With a bluish color, this birthmark appears because of abnormal blood vessels that are situated just beneath the skin surface. With time, the birthmarks tend to shrink and will usually fade away. However, if this type of birthmark is located on the face it should be investigated, as it can interfere with vision, eating, or breathing. Although laser treatments can help as they involve lower risk of scarring.

• Mongolian Spots

Mongolian spots are among the most common of all birthmarks, especially in populations with darker skin. The birthmarks resemble small flat bruises and are generally visible on the buttocks and back. They appear because of pigmented lesions that are deep beneath the skin surface. These birthmarks pose no risk at all and will require no treatment.

• Café-au-Lait Spots

Also very common, these birthmarks are flat and oval shaped, with a coffee (with milk) color, which is why they are called ‘café-au-lait’. The markings can appear on any part of the body and they tend to grow larger with time. In most cases, these birthmarks are harmless, but if there are many of them and they are large in size, it could be indicative of neurofibromatosis. This is a rare hereditary disease in which tumors develop on nerve tissue, requiring treatment from a neurologist.

• Nevus Sebaceous

Although not very common, this is one type of birthmark that you need to be watchful for. The marking develops as a hairless and flat yellowish patch, typically on the scalp or face. By puberty, the birthmark takes on a deeper shade as it gets thicker and more raised. This birthmark poses a high risk of developing into basal cell skin cancer, which is why most doctors recommend surgical removal at an early age.

How to Remove Birthmarks?

Many birthmarks are temporary and don’t need treatment, or may be so minor that treatment isn’t desired. Skin City is one of the few clinics in the world offering treatment for birthmarks. We have the experience in administering the safest and most effective treatments for removing unwanted birthmarks.

Birthmark Removal Treatments

The laser we use for your treatment depends upon the type and colour of birthmark you have and this will be confirmed at your consultation. Our birthmark removal treatments are effective in treating Hairy Melanocytic Nevus, moles, Nevus of Ota, Becker’s nevus, Haemangioma, AV malformations, Verrucous Epidermal nevus and Nevus comedonecus. Usage of Diode, LP NDYag, QswitchedNDYag, Pulse dye laser, the latest Dye VL technology, Ultra pulse fractional CO2 laser and LEO technology are a few of the latest tools in Skin City’s arsenal to efficiently treat birth marks.

What Will be the Cost of Birthmark Removal Treatment?

Skin City offers affordable laser treatment to remove all types of birthmarks such as moles, portwine stains and vascular birthmarks. Laser treatments are suitable for all types of birthmarks, port-wine stains, pigmentation and moles. Several sessions may be required so booking a course of 3 or 6 treatments will save you more money. For accurate costing, feel free to get in touch with our expert dermatologist at any of our centres across India.

Aftercare

For birthmarks removed with laser treatment, aftercare should be minimal. There may be redness, tenderness or swelling in the treated area. These should fade within the first week to 10 days after treatment. Handle the skin gently during recovery, and avoid exposing the treated area to sunlight. In some cases, more than one treatment may be needed for best results.

It’s time to get rid of unwanted birthmarks in the safest way, only at Skin City with the gold standard for fading lesions.