Methods of Birthmarks Removal

The method used for removal, including laser surgery or surgical excision, depends on the type of birthmark, the severity of its condition, location, and whether it causes symptoms, pain, or disfigurement. Still, lasers are a common treatment for this procedure.

It can lighten specific areas of the skin in order to even out a patient’s skin tone, making the birthmark less noticeable. As the laser penetrates the surface of the skin, it lightens the darkened areas. In many coffee-and-cream birthmark cases, laser treatment can help to eliminate the mark altogether.

It usually takes multiple treatments to remove most portwine stains and hemangiomas (“strawberry marks”), because the laser only penetrates a small distance into the skin.

There are different ways that a birthmark can be removed, depending upon its type, size, location and other factors.

Laser therapy

Lasers are used to treat birthmarks that are close to the surface of the skin, such as port-wine stains. This method can be performed at any age. During treatment, short bursts of laser light are aimed at the birthmark in order to shrink it or cause it to stop growing. Multiple visits may be necessary to achieve optimal results.

Laser therapy may also be used for hemangioma, however it is not used to treat cases where it is found on an internal organ, or deep within the skin.

Surgery

This method is used when other non-surgical treatments have not worked. A hemangioma that is large, or found on an internal organ also requires surgery and general anesthesia.

Different Ways To Remove Birthmarks

Risks

There aren’t many risks to having a birthmark removed through the use of lasers. Here are the possible risks, though most are quite uncommon:

Uneven skin tone, with excessively light and/or dark areas of skin
Patches forming in the skin
Bleeding and scabbing

Recovery

There isn’t much of a recovery period from laser birthmark removal. Patients might feel mild pain—many people compare the pain to the sensation of a rubber band snapping against the skin.

After birthmark removal some patients experience a mild burning sensation. Very important to follow the aftercare instructions what your surgeon recommends after your cosmetic intervention. In the healing period (4-6 weeks) you have to stay away of sun and do not scratch the area from where the birthmark or the spot was removed.

The skin that has been treated may become reddish or purplish in color, which can last several days or even a few weeks. Doctors will advise patients to avoid scratching the area and to stay out of the sun. Using sunscreen is a must while healing.