Birthmarks come in a couple of types. Pigmented birthmarks, like moles, are caused by pigment cells in the body, and they are usually gray, black, or a shade of brown. Vascular birthmarks are the ones that lead people to visit a plastic surgeon. Vascular birthmarks include hemangiomas, strawberry marks, salmon patches, or port wine stains. If you have a vascular birthmark and dislike its appearance, you’ll want to discuss treatment options with a plastic surgeon.
Are Birthmarks Safe?
Birthmarks are usually safe and do not require removal unless you dislike their appearance. You should watch your birthmarks for changes, however. If you notice any moles or birthmarks bleeding, becoming itchy, or starting to hurt, make an appointment with your physician or a dermatologist. This is especially important because you want to make sure they are not skin cancer.
What Causes Birthmarks?
There’s really no known cause for some birthmarks, so it’s impossible to prevent them. They do have a tendency to run in families. Some babies are born with a noticeable birthmark, a strawberry mark, that is raised and red. These birthmarks may clear up over time and don’t need treatments. Adults may find small red dots on their bodies. These cherry angiomas are normal and do not require treatment. You’ll also find that pigmented birthmarks do not benefit from treatment.
Vascular birthmarks are different. They are caused by malformed blood vessels. This makes them easier to treat.
Treating Vascular Birthmarks
A trip to a board certified facial plastic surgeon is the best way to safely remove birthmarks from your face or neck. While many birthmarks cause no harm, their unsightly appearance may affect your confidence and require removal.
Treatments for your birthmarks depend on the type of birthmark. Red birthmarks that cover part of your face are known as port wine stains. The pulse dye laser is the best treatment for port wine stains. The laser helps lighten the red color and keep the skin texture from changing by breaking down red blood cells. Pulse dye lasers are also effective in treating hemangiomas. One or two treatment is usually all that is necessary. This treatment can be painful. We are able to offer sedation to our patients in our on –site Surgery Center which makes the procedure very easy for the patients.
For a facial plastic surgeon to decide the best approach at treating your birthmark, an evaluation is needed. Dr. Edwin Williams has offices in both Albany and New York City. View these birthmark before and after treatment photos to see the quality of Dr. Williams’ work. The board certified facial plastic surgeon was a board of director member and co-founder of the National Vascular Birthmark Foundation. His insight into treating birthmarks is exceptional. To schedule a consultation, call (212) 799-2100 in New York City or (518) 786-7000 in Albany.
About the Author: Dr. Edwin Williams
Dr. Edwin Williams is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who founded The Williams Center in 1993. He has performed over 10,000 facial plastic surgery procedures and has pioneered the deep plane facelift. He served on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery for over a decade, and served as President from 2015-2016. In 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, Dr. Williams earned the Castle Connelly Top Doctors award in New York Facial Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Edwin F. Williams III attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982. He began medical school at the State University of Buffalo School of Medicine and received his Doctor of Medicine in 1986.
Dr. Williams is actively involved in teaching facial plastic and reconstruction surgery to the residents of the Albany Medical Center and is former Chief of the Section of Facial and Plastic Reconstruction Surgery at Albany Medical Center where he received an academic appointment of Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery.