Birthmarks are as basic a human trait as anything that can be associated with birth. About four out of five individuals have been found to have a birthmark of one form or the other. While some of them fade with age, others show up well after we are born while many stick to us for as long as we decide that they are to tag along. The first consideration in any decision whether or not to embark on removal of a birthmark is its identification.

Types of Birthmarks:

Birthmarks come in two main categories: 

• Vascular birthmarks.
•  Pigmented birthmarks.

Vascular birthmarks:

Your vascular system is your heart and those tubes that carry your blood on the journey of the life as they travel round every part of the body.That’s your vascular birthmark challenging the world and life in particular, isn’t it? These can include:

Salmon Patches:

These are usually plain most of them have a pink colour. Actually many of them do fade over time. These includes 

• Stork Bite: salmon patch on the nape of the neck
• Angel’s Kiss: birth mark on the face such as a salmon patch

Hemangiomas:

They are mostly congenital and usually red in color, but can be found in different skin shades, they are found in all parts of the body; the face, back chest, and scalp. These may enlarge during the first year of life, and after that, they regress, which may, at times, give a very faint remnant.

 Pigmented birthmarks:

Congenital nevi are skin lesions that are brought about by an abnormality that occurs during fetal development, which involves a proliferation of pigment at a specific site. These are moles which are smooth skinned and small, and may be of dark skin color which can be present at birth which are light brown in skin color. Usually pigmented birthmarks are not cancerous, or malignant and may either be large or small in size and may also be of different shapes.

Removal Methods:

Laser Therapy:

 This method is commonly applied for the developmental flaws like vascular malformations including port-wine stains. Laser therapy for the removal of birthmarks involves the focusing of light energy that is absorbed by the blood vessels therefore the disappearance of the birthmark is gradual. It can be several times necessary to establish a lasting power of attorney.

Surgical Excision:

 For those birthmarks that are big or complicated in nature, the recommended course of action may be the removal through surgery. This involves excision of the birthmark and suture of the wound thereby giving the skin a neat appearance. It normally results in scarring, but the mark is eradicated from the skin.

Factors Affecting Removal Time:

Type and Size of the Birthmark: The size as well as the degree of development of the birthmark determine the time that is taken to remove the mark entirely. The size and density of the birthmark shall define how intense the said undertaking shall be as well as the number of occasions on which the treatment shall be given out if it is major.

Treatment Method: It means that according to the type of removal procedure undertaken, there could be differences in the time taken for the treatment process and there could also be differences in the time taken for the recovery process. For example laser therapy it is experienced to be a longer process as compared to other process such as cryotherapy or electrosurgery among others.

Individual Healing Rate: Again it is evident that people will require varying time to recover from the injury. Other factors such as age, the health status and the type of skin are determinative of the rate of skin healing after the treatment.

Location of the Birthmark: Since birthmarks may be found in awkward or almost inaccessible areas it will take some time to heal and often more effort to be put in to heal completely.

Final Thoughts:

People are surprised when they decide to remove a birthmark at different stages of their lives. One of the privileges of modern technology empowers us with the choice to go on with the marks that were assigned to us at or shortly after birth or leave them out. It is your decision and our team can guide you on the procedures that are involved, the cost of treatment and when it is appropriate to have your birthmark removed. So book your appointment with us at Enfield Royal Clinics and contact our dermatologist to prioritize your safety.