Birthmark Removal
Other Associated Terms: Laser Birthmark Removal.
Overview:
A birthmark is a discoloration on the skin that is present from the moment of birth, or shortly thereafter. There are some that are hereditary. For example, one woman can have several children with the same birthmarks. It’s possible that some birthmarks may disappear over time, however, in other cases they refuse to go away.
If they appear noticeably in areas such as the face they can affect the appearance of the individual and thus lower self-esteem levels. In some instances, birthmarks can pose a health risk. For example, birthmarks on the eyelids or face can lead to seizures or eye issues (glaucoma).
Four main categories of birthmarks
Strawberry Birthmarks can appear on infants during the first weeks after birth. These are caused when small blood vessels grow rapidly after bunching together. The discolorations that are caused can take anywhere from a few months to years to disappear or fade. Since this type of birthmark is most common on infants, you should discuss any removal decisions with your doctor.
Salmon Patches which are thin and colored pink. These will appear on infants and are usually found on their upper eyelids. These will usually go away during their first year. However, those that are found on the back of the neck may not fade or disappear.
Pigmentation Type birthmarks are usually coffee-colored and don’t require removal. A version of this type of birthmark is called a Mongolian spot and these are gray or bluish patches that look like bruises. Normally, they fade during the child’s first 5 years.. They usually don’t pose a health risk, but they can be a sign of skin cancer or melanoma if there is a change in color or size.
Vascular Malformations are common and can appear as a port wine-colored stain. These do not fade and can appear anywhere on the infant’s body. This is the type of birthmark that is most often treated by laser removal.
Benefits:
There are several benefits associated with laser birthmark removal. The procedure is virtually painless and will usually require no anesthetic. There will usually be a tingling sensation that can be compared to a snapping rubber band on your skin. No hospital stay will be required and the recovery period is relatively short.
Usually, any tenderness or bruising will fade within a week. The improvement of your appearance can be a boost to your self-confidence and self-esteem levels, as well. There is no age limit with laser birthmark removal. However, for children under the age of 5, a consultation with a doctor is recommended.
Patient Characteristics:
There are many reasons for people seeking birthmark removal. These range from improving appearance to health considerations. Birthmark removal is increasing in popularity but like any cosmetic procedure, you should do your research and know what the procedure involves.
In general, ideal candidates include those who are in good health, both physically and psychologically and who:
- Are realistic in expectations and understand how the procedure is performed.
- Are non-smokers or who can refrain from smoking during healing.
- Are not using steroids or marijuana.
- Are not heavy alcohol users.
Procedure:
Laser technology uses a pulsing high-energy laser that allows for precision birthmark removal. Usually, no anesthetic is needed since the procedure is relatively painless. There should only be a tingling sensation felt during the process.
The laser will be used to lighten the birthmark’s darker tones and, in some cases, remove it altogether. This is especially true of lighter coffee-colored birthmarks. However, port-wine colored birthmarks may need more intensive treatments that will be spaced several months apart.
Treatments will take anywhere between several minutes to a few hours – depending on the severity and size of the birthmark. The treatments are done on an out-patient basis (usually in the doctor’s office). No hospital overnight stay will be needed.
You should avoid anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin, Advil® or Motrin® for 2 weeks prior to treatment. Other things to avoid are Vitamin E, gingko biloba, St. John’s Wort and other herbal medicines that can act as blood thinners. Your doctor can provide you a list of items of these items.
Recovery:
The recovery time for healing from birthmark removal is relatively short. Any swelling or discomfort will usually fade in about a week. You may notice that the treated area will become dark purple. This should disappear about ten days after the procedure but, in some cases, it can last for 6-8 weeks.
You will be advised to refrain from scratching the treated area. You should also avoid direct sunlight or use a good sunscreen when going outside in the daytime. It’s important to follow all of the doctor’s post-procedure instructions and that parents assist their children with those instructions if needed.
Risks Associated with Birthmark Removal:
Birthmark removal risks are minimal. In rare cases, there may be some bruising, bleeding or scabbing. Bruising can sometimes be avoided by not taking anticoagulants such as aspirin or avoiding Vitamin E for two weeks prior to treatment. Skin tone problems can also occur. These will appear as dark or light areas on the skin. Occasionally, there may be a dark patch surrounded by lighter skin. These issues can be addressed by an additional treatment.
It should be noted that laser birthmark treatments don’t always successfully remove a birthmark. This can occur when the birthmark pigmentation is unable to be reached by the laser. Also, the darker birthmark pigmentation can rise again to the surface skin and birthmarks can reappear or even darken more. Usually, this can be effectively repaired with more laser treatments.
Procedure Costs:
Birthmark removal costs will vary according to the size of the birthmark and the region (city/state) where the procedure is performed. The cost for laser birthmark removal ranges $400-$600. When you go over the costs associated with birthmark removal, you should obtain the total comprehensive cost to include facility fees, anesthetic (if needed) and all miscellaneous expenses.
The number of treatments that are needed will also influence the total cost. The number of required procedures will depend on how deep the birthmark lies within the skin and its’ severity. On the average, you can expect 3-6 treatments for pigmentation types and 8-12 treatments for vascular malformations (port-wine colored).
Most medical insurance providers will not cover these procedures. If this is the case, you may wish to inquire about financing from your doctor.
Things to Discuss with Your Doctor During Your Consultation:
Prior to making a decision to have laser birthmark removal, you should first meet with the doctor and discuss various topics. These can include issues such as expectations and details of the procedure. Is your birthmark any cause for health concerns? Where will the procedure be performed? What is involved in the recovery process? Will your birthmark still be visible afterwards? What is the doctor’s level of experience (how many procedures has he or she performed in the last year)? What are the risks involved and what percentage of the patients have experienced complications? You should also view numerous before and after photos in order to have an idea of the results that you can expect. Let your doctor know if you have any allergies and if you are taking any medications.