A guide to birthmark removal surgery
Filed Under: Laser Techniques, Types of Surgery
Many people are born with birthmarks and these birthmarks can vary in size, colour and location. Birthmarks are generally described as a mark on the skin that is unique to the individual that does not quickly disappear.
Most birthmarks are fairly small and are hidden by clothing however some birthmarks are on more prominent areas of the body. Some birthmarks can also pose health risks therefore some people may seek out the advice of a cosmetic surgeon with a view to getting the birthmark removed.
There are three major types of birthmark:
- Vascular Birthmarks: Vascular birthmarks are one of the most common types of birthmarks and are often known as ‘port-wine stains’. They can be found on all areas of the body and typically will not fade or disappear over time.
- Macular Birthmarks: Macular birthmarks are sometimes known as salmon patches and are flat, normally light pink patches of skin. They are most commonly found on the neck and eyelids. Those on the eyelids tend to fade over time, however the marks on the neck tend not to.
- Pigmentation Birthmarks: Pigmentation birthmarks are where the skin has too much colour or pigment. Pigmentation birthmarks include some moles, or brown or cream coloured patches of skin. These marks normally fade over time.
When to have your birthmark removed
The key to successful birthmark removal treatment is to treat the birthmark as early as possible – in infants, the colouring is often lighter therefore fewer treatments are needed to remove the birthmark. However, older children and adults can successfully have their birthmarks removed. At a young age, normally 4-6 treatments will be needed over a period of several months.
Birthmark Removal Treatment
Birthmark removal is normally done on an outpatient basis and normally does not involve an overnight stay in hospital. Lasers are usually used to remove birthmarks. A pulsed dye laser (which produces a yellow light) will be aimed at the patch of skin. The light passes harmlessly through the translucent layers of the skin and heats the underlying blood vessels that are causing the lesion.
The laser emits the light in pulses meaning that the heat in the blood is diffused without damaging the surrounding tissues. The heated blood will then congeal and the vessels will atrophy leaving a lightened colouring. The time taken for each session will depend on the size and extent of the birthmark and a session can be several minutes or several hours long.
In a single session, it is possible to see dramatic results, although several treatments will probably be needed. Overall, laser treatment can dramatically fade or remove birthmark stains with virtually no scarring.
Risks & Complications
As with any form of cosmetic surgery, there is an element of risk. As the procedure is non-invasive, the risks are smaller than with other forms of cosmetic surgery. The patient may feel a slight burning sensation when the laser hits the skin and there may be some pain in the skin. The major risks associated with birthmark removal surgery are those of scarring and infection.
The skin may also become patchy, with areas of darkened or lightened skin surrounding by spots of lighter pigmentation. However, these risks are very small and not particularly common.
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jay | Jan 28, 2008 | Reply
i got a birthmark on my forehead, its a burden ive had to live with my whole life so far and its held me back so much, you couldn’t imgaine, please could anyone help me or give me some good advice please!
MICHAEL PELE HUSSAIN | Feb 15, 2008 | Reply
HI MY NAME IS MICHAEL,I AM 21 & I HAVE A PORTWINE STAIN ON MY FACE. I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL AS I HAVE BEEN HELD BACK SO MUCH, IT HAS DISTROYED MY LIFE SO FAR.
I HAVE HAD MANY TREATMENTS OFF & ON ALL MY LIFE BUT HAVE NOT WORKED MUCH. MAINLY BECAUSE THEY DONT HAVE THE LATEST TREATMENTS HERE IN THE UK & MOST DOCTORS DON’T NO WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
I HAVE DONE LOADS OF RESEARCH ON BIRTHMARKS. I FOUND A WEB SITE IN THE US THEY SEEM TO NO A LOT ABOUT BIRTHMARKS, 1 DR THERE IS 1 OF THE BEST IN WORLD AS HE EVEN INVENTED A VERY BIG PART OF LASERS.
I AM LOOKING IN TO GOING THERE FOR TREATMENT.
HOPE THIS HELPS MICHAEL
Danielle | Jun 25, 2008 | Reply
i have a 4 year old little girl and she has a port wine stain on her left eye and i have been considering weather or not ti remove it i dont notice it any more but she also has a scar in the exact same place so all i hear from new people we meet is oo have you been falling and what happened to her eye that looks sore. So i am two minds at the minute but i know how cruel children can be and i dont want her to be bullied
rachael | Aug 23, 2008 | Reply
Hi. My name is Rachael, and I have a birthmark the size of a quarter on my neck and its held me back from doing so much. It’s also lowered my self esteem and confidence. People always ask me, is that a hickey? But they dont realize how bad that hurts me. It makes me feel like everyones starting at me and often times i become uncomfortable in school and I need maybe a home remedy or some advice to help take it away. I just wanna feel beautiful for once and its such a rough time being a sophmore and going through this. Can somebody please help me. :’(
pat | Sep 5, 2008 | Reply
I have a brown birthmark size of a medium size leaf on my right leg real close to my butt and can be seen if I am wearing a bathing suit. For years I was teased asked if that was a shit stain. Sad
Sarah Singh | Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
Hi a question to the original post by Michael. What is the website from the US that your talking about? Because i am very much thinking of traveling for treatment.
If you can help by giving me the web address. please do as i would greatly appreciate it.
Sarah
spencer | Sep 13, 2008 | Reply
hi. my name is spencer and i am looking to get a birthmark removed off my upper eyelid below my eyebrow, can someone tell me if this is possible or is there to many risks??
Paula | Sep 17, 2008 | Reply
Michael Pele Hussain says has information on a website in the US. Could he let me have the name of it?
Katie | Oct 5, 2008 | Reply
My name is Katie,and i am 16 and i have had a birth mark on my leg since i was born. It starts at my knee and goes to about the top of my leg. It is red, and so noticable. When i was younger everyone would make fun of me, so i just wear pants all the time, and boys swim shorts in the summer. But as i get older, i find it more annnoying, and embarrasing, and i just want it gone! I dont know how to tell my mom this, and i dont know how much it cost. Do you know how i should tell my mom, and how much it cost for laser or anything?