Birthmarks are colored marks on the skin of a newborn baby. Some birthmarks show up soon after a baby is born, but others take longer to appear. Most birthmarks are obvious at birth, while some fade or go away as a child gets older.
Birthmarks come in different shapes or sizes. Pigmented birthmarks can appear in different colors such as brown, tan, black, blue, pink, white, red, or purple. Some birthmarks are smooth, and some are raised.
Despite numerous studies in the past, the specific causes of a patient’s birthmark remain unknown to this day. They usually happen incidentally and not because the mother might have done something wrong while pregnant.
But there are findings that suggest how birthmarks may be inherited or may be caused by genetic mutations. You may also see similar marks with your other family members, but this happens rarely.
If you have a red birthmark, that might be a vascular birthmark. Vascular birthmarks are blood vessels bunched together or haven’t grown normally. Your pigment cells or melanocytes may be responsible for your brown or blue birthmarks, called pigmented birthmarks. It is not clear why some children have them, and others don’t.
Most birthmarks aren’t dangerous and life-threatening. But some definitely affect a patient’s self-esteem, making them decide to get a birthmark removal treatment.
If a birthmark grows, bleeds, or gets infected, call to schedule a visit so we can check it at Dermatology & Skin Health. Our board-certified dermatologists can assess your marks properly and create a suitable birthmark removal treatment for you.
There are 2 types of birthmarks: vascular birthmark and pigmented birthmark. If you’re considering birthmark removal treatment, knowing the right type will help you have an idea about the right type of procedure for you.
Salmon patches: are thin, flat, light pink or red birthmarks. They tend to be on the back of the neck, the upper eyelids, the upper lip, or between the eyebrows.
Hemangioma: a hemangioma is a raised birthmark. These marks may come in colors blue, red, or purple. They are clumps of blood vessels that didn’t grow normally. A hemangioma grows into many shapes and sizes and can grow on the skin or deeper in the body.
Port wine stain: port wine stains are birthmarks with pink-red color at birth and then turn into darker red-purple eventually. Blood vessels that didn’t grow normally become a port wine stain. They can either be small, but they can also be big enough to cover a large area of the body.
Congenital mole: can grow anywhere on the body. They vary in size and shape, and most are brown.
Café au lait spot: smooth oval birthmarks. They range in color from light brown to chocolate brown and usually are found on the torso, buttocks, and legs.
Mongolian spot: a type of birthmark that appears in smooth, brown, or blue-gray marks. They are often uneven in shape and are on the lower back and buttocks.
These classifications can help you figure out the types of birthmark you have. To have your birthmark removed, schedule an appointment with our experts in birthmark removal treatment at Dermatology & Skin Health.
Schedule an Appointment at Dermatology & Skin Health to Remove Your Birthmarks
Birthmarks are usually harmless, but patients may still opt to have them removed with medication, laser technology, or surgery. Dermatology & Skin Health offers suitable treatment options to improve your condition or confidence.
Your birthmark removal starts with scheduling a consultation with us. Call us or book online today to get started.
Brooke Comire
Certified Cosmetic Injector and Laser Specialist, ASN, RN
