Is there any way to remove birthmarks?

A birthmark is a skin lesion caused by abnormal skin pigmentation. Some birthmarks may exist at birth, while others may be formed later in life. If the birthmark is in a relatively hidden place, then no treatment is required. However, if the birthmark grows on the face or other obvious parts, it will affect your appearance. So, what is the best way to remove birthmarks?

1. Laser method

Will laser tattoo removal be painful? This is an uneasy question that every child and parent will ask before treatment. In fact, laser is very painful. The burning sensation is very similar to being hit by a rubber band or burned by wax. The whole process requires the comfort and perseverance of parents to overcome. Although general anesthesia can relieve pain, it increases the risks of treatment and is not currently recommended. Applying a local anesthetic patch or using a low-temperature cooling system can relieve children's pain. Although it is a bit painful when the laser hits the skin, it is still worth it as it can wash away the congenital scar.

2. Laser birthmark removal

Before skin lasers became common, birthmarks were mostly removed using electrocautery or freezing. Severe birthmarks required surgical excision and skin grafting, but both methods were likely to leave scars. Now, pigment spot laser can selectively destroy pigment, dye laser can target vascular lesions, and no scars will be left after treatment. Therefore, except for severe birthmarks that still require surgical treatment, laser has become the best choice for birthmark removal.

For laser treatment of pigmented birthmarks, ruby ​​laser is the best choice. The current concept is that treatment should be started as early as possible. Taking Ota's neoplasm as an example, children generally need 4-5 treatments, while adults need 7-10 treatments, so it is better to remove it before melanin accumulates. However, birthmark treatment varies greatly. Some people may see significant results, while others may have slow progress, so give yourself and your doctor more time and receive treatment after a full evaluation.

Vascular birthmarks are generally treated with dye lasers, but the effects and responses are more difficult to predict. For example, port-wine stains can be removed by laser in layers. Usually, the first and second treatments are most effective, reaching 50-60%. After that, as the remaining blood vessels become deeper and deeper, the treatment effect will decrease, and usually up to 7-10 treatments will be required. Because strawberry hemangioma is deep in the tissue, laser is used as an auxiliary treatment and can only remove the surface blood vessels. Generally, sclerosing agent or steroid injection, or even vascular embolization or surgical resection is required. Traditional thinking holds that strawberry hemangiomas will shrink naturally and do not require treatment. However, delayed treatment may result in incomplete shrinkage of the hemangioma, leaving unsightly scars. Therefore, the current concept is to recommend early treatment, even starting as early as 6 months old.

Although laser treatment of birthmarks is effective, it is expensive, and not every birthmark is suitable for and requires laser removal. It is best for parents to consult a professional doctor for an accurate diagnosis to determine the impact of the birthmark on the body and the need to remove it.

If the birthmark on your body is relatively large, you must seek treatment as soon as possible, because the harm caused by the birthmark cannot be ignored. Especially for children, if they have large birthmarks on their bodies, they may experience some neurological symptoms, and their intellectual development and movement may also be impaired. Therefore, I hope every parent should pay special attention to this.