Birthmarks are benign irregularities on the skin that can appear anywhere on the human body. They are mostly developed before birth; however, some of them also appear shortly after birth. Most birthmarks are composed of either melanocyte (cells responsible for skin pigment) or blood vessels amassed at the site of the mark.
Birthmarks come in different sizes, colors, and shapes, and based on these attributes they are divided into different types. Some most common types of birthmarks include:
Moles – marks on the skin surface that are generally brown or black
Hemangiomas – reddish colored marks on the skin that are mostly present at birth or appear within a few months after birth
Port Wine Stains – pink colored patches that lie flat against the skin
Salmon patches – also known as stroke bites are flat pink patches that appear on 30 to 50 percent of newborns
Congenital nevi – brown to brownish-black marks that are mostly present at birth
Rarely a birthmark causes a serious medical problem, but they can be unsightly and embarrassing, particularly when large in size or on the face. Some birthmarks are raised above the surface of the skin and this adds to their unpleasant appearance. Most of the birthmarks fade away over time without needing any special treatment, but some really need treatment.
There are several techniques that people use to remove or at least lighten the appearance of birthmarks, from DIY natural remedies to topical creams and serums to cosmetic procedures. Of all the techniques used to treat birthmarks, Laser treatment is the most effective way to lighten the appearance of these unsightly pigmentation marks.
Lasers are really effective in treating birthmarks that are close to the surface of the skin, such as Hemangiomas and port-wine stains. The procedure involves aiming short bursts of the pulsating laser beam at the birthmark. The pigment absorbs the energy from the laser beam and heats up. This causes the birthmark to shrink and stop growing. Multiple treatments may be required to achieve optimal results.
Wondering if this procedure is painful? Like any other laser treatment in Islamabad, birthmark removal also involves some level of discomfort. Most patients find it to cause a mild burning sensation or a mild pain like a rubber band snapping at the skin. Generally laser treatment for birthmarks is performed with topical anesthesia; however, considering your pain threshold, your laser expert may prefer performing the procedure with local anesthesia.
Laser therapy can be performed at any age but doctors prefer not performing it on newly born babies. Also, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved laser therapy to treat the cases in which the birthmark is deep within the skin or is on an internal organ.
