Brisbane Skin doctors use advanced laser technology for the removal of both vascular and pigmented birthmarks. The clinic places a special emphasis on birthmark treatment. The most effective method for removing a particular birthmark is dependent on its type, its location, the age of the patient, and other factors. Our dermatologists can recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Is it possible to remove birthmarks?
Getting anything removed from your body can be concerning and scary, but birthmark removal is, in fact, a relatively straightforward procedure. Typically done using laser or light therapy, birthmark removal is recommended for fast-growing vascular birthmarks as soon as they are identified.
Suppose a birthmark does indeed grow and develop over time, becoming harmful to the body or the self-esteem of the person. In that case, removal for cosmetic reasons can be completed at any age. At Brisbane Skin, there are different ways of removing birthmarks depending on the type. These include:
- Laser therapy: One of the most common forms of treatment for birthmark removal, this type of procedure can treat many different types of birthmarks.
- Surgical removal: This treatment is particularly for raised or excessive birthmarks and requires the use of surgical tools to remove the mark from the skin.
- Light therapy: Like laser therapy, light therapy birthmark removal is typically used for flat birthmarks. It can also be used for those suffering from acne, scars, age spots, and freckles.
What are the types of birthmarks?
Vascular birthmarks are those that contain blood vessels, and they are generally red or pink in colour. There are several types of vascular birthmarks. Some of the more common are referred to as ‘port-wine stains’. Another, which does not necessarily occur at birth but rather during early infancy, is a hemangioma or ‘strawberry mark.’ These lesions have excess or enlarged blood vessels which serve no special medical function; these lesions also may be associated with disfigurement, bleeding, or secondary infection, prompting medical therapy.
Pigmented birthmarks are brown or tan in colour. They can occur in only the outer layer of the skin (epidermis), or more deeply in the skin (dermis).
Does birthmark removal hurt?
It all depends on the type of birthmark you have and the best treatment to remove it. Some procedures can cause discomfort but more so in young children. If worried about pain, patients can be given local aesthesia to numb the pain. There is very little downtime required; the skin takes about one week to fully heal but shouldn’t take away from your day-to-day life.