How to Treat an Unwanted Birthmark

If you or your child has an unwanted birthmark, sometimes it can be frustrating. While birthmarks overwhelmingly pose no health risks and do not cause discomfort, this aesthetic concern can still cause embarrassment for some. Because of this, our board-certified dermatologists and physician assistants at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta offer a wide range of treatment options to help remove your or your child’s birthmark once and for all.

What is a Birthmark?

These common, harmless marks appear on newborn babies and will either fade or remain present as time goes on. The most prevalent types of birthmarks are vascular and pigmented. Vascular birthmarks occur when blood vessels fail to properly form which results in reddish growths appearing on or underneath the skin. The three primary kinds of vascular birthmarks include port-wine stains, hemangiomas, and salmon patches. Port-wine stains do not disappear as you age and can even become larger over time. Both hemangiomas and salmon patches can shrink and fade as you age, however, it is not guaranteed that they will vanish.

Pigmented birthmarks form when there is a large growth of pigment cells in a certain area. They cause color abnormalities and appear as patches that are a different color than the rest of the skin. The three main types are moles, café-au-lait spots, and Mongolian blue spots. Traditionally, none of these marks are harmful, but we recommend that you get your moles checked if they are behaving abnormally.

Birthmark Treatment Options

When it comes to removing your birthmark, we offer several options to help you treat your aesthetic concerns. For vascular and pigmented birthmarks, our most common treatment is highly specialized cosmetic laser technology. With the use of multiple laser systems, we are able to reduce the size and discoloration of your birthmark. Intense pulsed lights safely target and shut off blood vessels underneath the surface of the birthmark without affecting the surrounding skin. Doing this allows for the birthmark to eventually fade and prevents potential side effects such as scarring. Laser treatment is completely safe for children and adults alike. 

For raised birthmarks, such as moles or hemangiomas, our providers can surgically remove the mark. Surgery is normally a last resort and is the least common way to treat birthmarks.

As you can see, removing your unwanted birthmark is a simple and safe procedure. We have decades of experience using the latest FDA-approved laser technology to treat birthmarks. If you’re interested in learning more about birthmark removal or any of our other laser services, schedule an appointment with Dermatology Associates of Atlanta today. Additionally, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more skincare insights and monthly specials.