Birthmarks on the skin can appear as black, brown, red or white bluish black patches /growths on the skin. These can sometimes be found right at the time of birth or develop at some later time in life; mostly visible when on face. And the size of these can vary from a wee tiny dot to large disfiguring patches, that’s right what you are thinking, would be real embarrassing at times.
Though birthmarks are usually harmless, the effects of having one is low self esteem, social withdrawal due to self awareness, finding it hard to find a life partner etc. And it could be harmful to your health too, if it’s somewhere nearby your vital organs.
Birthmarks can arise from skin cells or from skin appendages like blood vessels, nerves ,hair, sweat glands, oil glands etc. Say for example,
Skin cells- epidermal verrucous naevus, melanocytic naevus
Appendages- port wine stain, haemangiomas, neurofibroma
Majority of the birthmarks are amenable to treatment as the technological advances have led to the development of new equipments. A laser skin care specialist would find it real easy to fade these unsightly spots with the help of advanced laser methods.
Birthmarks arising from blood vessels (portwine stain, haemangioma, cherry angioma) are treated with Pulsed dye laser. This targets the Haemoglobin in the red blood cells which in turn leads to shrinkage of blood vessels.Those related to melanin (pigment) and melanin producing cells (naevus of Ota, melanocytic naevus, naevus spilus) are treated with Q switched Nd yag laser.Diode laser, Carbon dioxide laser are other laser machines which helps to improve birth marks on the skin.
Most of the birthmarks require multiple sessions and the treatment is done at monthly intervals. It doesn’t involve surgery, general anesthesia, hospital stay or blood loss . Most of the changes occurring following the treatment will settle within 5-7 days and won’t affect the daily activities. So stop worrying now, approach a dermatologist fade away those birthmarks and live the life fully as you have always wished.