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Common Questions & Answers about Birthmark Removal
"I have a brown birthmark about the size of a half dollar on my upper leg. It's not bubbled out just darker pigmented skin. I was wondering if I could ever get it removed or am I stuck with it for the rest of my life????"
Birthmark Removal Doctors Near You
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Charles Sarosy, MD, F.A.C.S. Temecula |
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Scott Aaronson, MD Palm Springs |
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Suzanne Quardt, MD Rancho Mirage |
| Umansky Medical Center for Plastic Surgery, La Jolla |
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Best Options for Birthmark Removal
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Birthmarks are typically benign skin lesions that can become progressively darker with age. This type of skin discoloration typically cannot be removed with skin resurfacing treatments such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels and other types of skin exfoliation treatments, but there are several procedures that can clear up the lesions and improve the texture and tone of the skin. Here are some of the most common procedures used for birthmark removal:
Continuous Wave Laser
The continuous wave laser focuses the laser’s energy in a steady beam over the affected area and emits short, rhythmic bursts of energy into the skin. The laser energy helps to heat up the skin and breaks down pigmentation without causing damage to the surrounding areas. This steady wave of energy slowly breaks down the skin lesions, and may require multiple treatments to lighten and eliminate the damaged skin.
Q-Switched Laser
The Q-Switched laser works in a similar way as the continuous wave laser, except that it delivers extremely high dosages of energy in short increments into the skin. This type of laser causes the swollen vessels to die off, which in turns makes the birthmark appear much lighter. In most cases, just a single Q-switched laser treatment is necessary to treat vascular lesions such as salmon patches, strawberry nevus, Mongolian spots and ‘coffee-cream’ spots.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a skin resurfacing technique that helps to remove lesions, scars and other types of skin pigmentation, and is typically performed as an anti-aging treatment. However, this skin resurfacing technique can also be performed to smooth out the skin and lighten up scars and birthmarks. Dermabrasion is an extensive dermatologic procedure that literally scrapes away the top layer of the skin. A series of dermabrasion treatments can help to lighten or remove the birthmark, while improving the texture and tone of the skin.
Surgical Removal
If the birthmark is very dark or large, the cosmetic dermatologist may recommend surgical removal. Birthmarks that lie on an internal organ are typically removed using the surgical procedure, and this is a fairly extensive process that requires the use of general anesthesia. It is well-suited for situations where non-invasive procedures have not been able to bring desired results.
Sclerosing Agents
Sclerosing agents are compounds that are injected into the birthmark to irritate the blood vessels and cause the blood cells to shrink. Over time, this shrinks the overall size of the birthmark and may also make it less noticeable. This type of treatment may be most effective for newly developed birthmarks and smaller lesions on the skin.
The risks associated with most birthmark removal procedures are minimal. Laser therapy and surgical removal typically result in slight bleeding, swelling and scabbing, but these effects will subside over time. Other side effects may include tenderness, bruising and skin discoloration, but these will also subside within weeks after treatment.
Learn more about skin management procedures in our information guide, or consult with a cosmetic dermatologist in your area to find out if you are a good candidate for this procedure.
Published: 11/13/2009, Last Updated: 11/13/2009
By LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writers
Our writers strive to present an objective, upfront and open view of the medical procedures you're interested in. We present you with both the good and bad, and work to represent both doctors' and patients' points of view. Our articles contain facts and statistics obtained from medical associations, medical and surgical journals, and through doctor and patient interviews.
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