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The
Condition
Birthmarks are blemishes on the skin, either discolored
and/or raised, formed before birth which is a direct result
of either malformed blood vessels or malformed pigment
cells. Birthmarks are usually grouped into one of two
categories: Vascular Lesions and Pigmented Lesions.
Vascular Lesions are birthmarks resulting from malformed
blood vessels, either from becoming enlarged (port-wine
stains), or from having too many blood vessels in one area (hemangiomas).
Vascular Lesions usually have red and blue/grey colors
against the rest of the skin.
Pigmented Lesions are birthmarks resulting from malformed
pigment cells which are usually brown in color. Excess
melanin, the substance giving skin its color, is the one
that causes Pigmented Lesions.
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Treatments Available
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Pigment-specific Laser Treatment
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Vascular-specific Laser
Treatment
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Carbon Dioxide Laser Treatment
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Chemical Peel
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Frequently Asked
Questions
Q: What
are birthmarks?
A:
Birthmarks are areas of discolored skin that are on a baby's
body at birth or can appear within a few weeks after birth.
Some birthmarks may endure for life, while others can fade
away over time.
Q: What
is a hemangioma?
A:
Hemangioma is one of the most common types of birthmarks.
These happen when many new blood vessels group together in
one place on the skin.
Q: What
is a port-wine stain?
A:
A
port-wine stain is another type of hemangioma. It is
an area of skin that is either maroon or dark red. It gets
its name from port wine, a kind of wine that is dark maroon
in color. Children who have port-wine stains usually have
them on the face and neck.
Q: Are
birthmarks ever serious?
A:
Most of the birthmarks are harmless, and many go away on
their own in the first few years of life, without treatment.
But there are a few exceptions. In fact, about 40,000 us
children a year have birthmarks that need medical attention.
So it is important to have all birthmarks checked out by a
doctor.
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