Birthmark Removal treatment
Birthmarks are rather strange attribute which no one really knows why we have them. Some birthmarks can be hereditary, while others simply appear in one or another ways. The one kind happens as a result of sudden growth of pigment cells in one area called pigmented birthmarks, or from irregular blood vessels that crowd together beneath the skin, known as vascular birthmarks.
Very often, birthmarks on exposed areas of skin can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. Their removal provides the desired boost to a person’s confidence and well-being.
There is no secret that the way we look plays a crucial part of who we become, and how we’re treated as human beings. For those of us with certain physical characteristics that make us stand out a bit too far from the crowd, the possibility of changing our appearance can be quite welcome—especially if that certain part of us negatively affects our emotional health or development.
When birthmarks are unwanted, however, their presence can harm a person’s emotional, social, and physical development—beginning in infancy and lasting throughout childhood and adulthood. If you’re someone that feels uncomfortable living with a birthmark then birthmark removal surgeries can be wonderful options for getting rid of them permanently.
Birthmark Removal Overview
The range of pigmented and vascular birthmarks is extensive. They can come in a variety of colors (from black and brown to red, purple, and blue), shapes, and sizes. Some birthmarks (like angel kisses, strawberry marks, and Mongolian blue spots) fade or lighten with age, while others (salmon patches, port wine stains, etc.) do not fade and may even darken over time. Birthmarks like facial hemangiomas, meanwhile, can grow and lead to other health issues.
Removal of a birthmark for cosmetic reasons can be an important surgery for many people, whether it’s a cancerous mole or common types of harmless but unattractive spots. Thanks to developments in laser technology and other treatment options, it is now more achievable than ever before to have all kinds of birthmarks reduced in appearance or completely and permanently removed.
What Types of Birthmark Removal Procedures Are There?
At Delight Clinic, several birthmark removal techniques can safely and effectively remove vascular or pigmented birthmarks. Vascular birthmarks are a result of the clustering of blood vessels underneath the skin, while pigmented birthmarks happen when pigmented cells are over-concentrated in one area.
The procedures used to treat birthmarks will depend on the type of birthmark you have, and where it’s located. Laser resurfacing using either an ablative or non-ablative laser tool is suitable for both vascular birthmarks like port wine stains and salmon patches, and pigmented birthmarks like moles and Mongolian spots. Another birthmark removal technique called light therapy uses intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) to remove vascular birthmarks or flat, pigmented birthmarks.
Birthmark Removal Procedure Details
Since there are such a wide variety of birthmark types, there are a vast number of technologies that have been created to remove them.
Laser resurfacing is a highly versatile procedure used for multiple procedures besides birthmark removal, including acne scar removal and skin rejuvenation. For birthmark removal, laser treatments improve and diminish both vascular and pigmented birthmarks with a fractional laser that can be either non-ablative or ablative. The laser beam emits energy to break down the cluster of pigment cells into tiny fragments, which are then taken away naturally by the body’s immune system, causing the birthmark to fade.
We at Delight Clinic use a small blade, scalpel, or curved razor blade to scrape growths, including moles, from the surface of the skin. Shave excisions are preferred when the reason for the removal is cosmetic because the procedure is not as likely to leave a scar as more invasive methods of mole removal can. Shave excisions are also used to collect samples of growths for certain types of cancer cells, though this method is not recommended for detecting all types of cancer.
Ideal Candidates for Birthmark Removal Procedures
Many people are suitable candidates for birthmark removal. A consultation with highly experienced plastic surgeon will confirm if you qualify. Your doctor will revise the birthmark you’re hoping to have removed, and let you know which approach is the most suitable for your skin.
In general, candidates for laser birthmark removal or light therapy treatments should have healthy and well-hydrated or slightly oily skin and hope to remove vascular or flat pigmented types of birthmarks. Ideal candidates for both procedures should not be prone to keloid formation (excessive scar tissue growth), or other severe scarring issues. In these cases, birthmark treatment could cause excessive scar tissue growth over the site being treated, resulting in a more obvious and even less attractive lesion.
What Results Can I Expect After a Birthmark Removal Procedure?
The ultimate goal of a birthmark removal procedure is to either reduce the appearance of a birthmark or to remove it completely. Laser resurfacing treatments and light therapy (IPL) can both work efficiently to significantly fade the appearance of either vascular birthmark types, or flat, pigmented birthmarks. These procedures can also remove birthmarks completely, depending on the individual and the characteristics of the lesion.
Is Anesthesia Required?
The purpose is to numb the area and prevent the patient from feeling any pain, ensuring their comfort throughout the procedure. For birthmark removal procedures, anesthesia may be required, depending on the treatment.
Local anesthesia is most commonly used for both laser resurfacing and light therapy removal treatments.
Before Treatment Care
Before any surgical procedure, it is important to take appropriate steps that will prepare you for the procedure. These instructions will vary according to your procedure and your doctor’s orders.
In general, before procedure care for patients having laser resurfacing and light therapy treatments will require well-hydrated and moisturized skin. Your doctor will instruct you on how to keep your skin moisturized by drinking plenty of water and using a hydrating lotion. You’ll also be advised to stay out of the sun to avoid sunburn or other sun damage.
Laser resurfacing and light therapy patients should not smoke for at least a month before being treated. Certain antibiotics and topical creams can affect skin sensitivity, so ask your doctor if you’re taking any prescription drugs or medicated lotions before your procedure.
If you have a medical problem involving a history of herpes, you may be prescribed with antiviral medication before having your procedure. Birthmark removal procedures like laser resurfacing and light therapy can trigger herpes to flare up, and medication will help to reduce your chances of an outbreak.
After Procedure Care
Once the procedure has been performed, you will need to follow the advice of your surgeon to prevent any unnecessary complications and allow your body to heal properly.
Immediately after having a birthmark removed by laser resurfacing or light therapy treatment, you may feel as though you have a slight to moderate sunburn in the treated area. This will usually subside within twenty-four hours, and completely disappear within one or two days after treatment. Scabs or blisters may appear after being treated, although this is uncommon. If scabs or blisters to appear on the skin, patients should try to avoid picking or scratching these to keep the skin from scarring. Your doctor may advise you to avoid hot water and prolonged sun exposure for up to two days after the procedure.
Shave excision procedures usually require no sutures, and the treated site will heal on its own. Patients should take care to not touch the site and to keep the area clean, to allow the natural healing process to take place.
How Many Treatments are needed to See Results?
Surgical excision is the only procedure that guarantees a total and permanent removal of its target, which is a raised birthmark. Other procedures can also offer permanent, lasting results after only one procedure, though this will depend on the situation of the patient and cannot be guaranteed.
The best results for laser resurfacing can usually be achieved within three to eight procedures, each one spaced at least three to five weeks apart. Throughout these procedures, the birthmark will fade and eventually disappear completely. Similarly, light therapy will also require three to eight procedures in most cases, with each procedures scheduled from four to six weeks apart.
What are the Possible Side Effects?
One side effect that all treatments for birthmark removal have in common is a pain. Though mild in all cases, there is a chance that your chosen procedure will cause minor pain during or after the procedure or both. Anesthesia is administered either topically (laser resurfacing or IPL), or locally (shave, punch, or surgical excision procedures) to numb the area and keep patients comfortable during surgery. If there is pain after the treatment, your doctor will recommend a pain reliever to manage the symptoms, though these should disappear completely within 48 hours.
Patients having laser resurfacing procedure to remove birthmarks may notice mild temporary bruising or lightening of the skin (hypopigmentation) on the treated area. This side effect is normal and can be a sign that the laser is working to lighten the color of the lesion. The whitening effect will fade away on its own, and you’ll be able to notice the birthmark fading along with it. You may also experience swelling, redness and peeling for a short time after your procedure. Redness and swelling could last up to two days after treatment while peeling or flaky skin could last for approximately a week.
Swelling, peeling, and a sunburn-like sting on your skin can be a common side effect of light therapy treatments. This occurs when too much light is pulsed in any one area, and the risk of this can be significantly reduced when choosing a highly experienced plastic surgeon that’s well-qualified to perform the procedure.
Shave, punch, and surgical excisions are all minor surgeries with various potential side effects and complications. For shave and punch excisions, the risks include scarring, hyperpigmentation, and a potential regrowth of the birthmarks. Surgical excisions can also leave scars, though the risk of scarring is low and will depend on your skin type and other factors.
What is Recovery Like?
Recovery from birthmark removal procedure is an easy process, with minimal downtime and very little to no pain. Patients can expect to return to work and other normal activities the next day after having the procedure. Immediately after a laser resurfacing procedure, your skin will probably appear red and slightly swollen and might sting or burn. These symptoms should completely disappear after one to three days. Some patients will also experience dryness, peeling, and flaking for a week after treatment, which can be minimized by applying a gentle facial moisturizer for sensitive skin.
birthmark removal – Frequently Asked Questions
The birthmark removal procedures that we utilize at Delight Clinic target the tissue responsible for the resulting birthmark. This tissue is either cut (in moles) or destroyed (flat birthmark) and eliminated through your body’s immune responses.
The time taken depends on the size and depth of the birthmark. Most birthmarks can be removed in less than an hour. Port-wine stain birthmarks may need several sessions spaced several months apart.
At Delight Clinic the doctor will first cleanse the area to be treated. A cold press or a local anesthetic may be used to numb the area. A laser beam is targeted to the birthmark and the light penetrates the surface of the skin to lighten it gradually. Port-wine stain birthmarks become less noticeable and the skin tone is more or less evened out. In most coffee-and-cream birthmarks, laser treatment can eliminate the mark altogether.
The birthmark removal procedures destroy all the tissue responsible for the birthmark. This means that there is no chance the birthmark will recur since the causative agent has been eliminated.
The type and extent of your birthmarks determine the length of the procedure. The removal procedure used also determines how long the whole process will take.
Our birthmark removal procedures are noninvasive. This means that you can have your birthmark removal procedure and get back to work immediately. The only time you’ll need off work is during the appointments with Delight Clinic.
Unless your procedure directly affects your ability to exercise, you should be able to get back to your regular exercise the day after the procedure. However, if the site treated is sensitive, you should wait till you fully recover before getting back to your exercise schedule. This may take up to ten days. You will also need to keep the treated areas away from sunlight for a few weeks. A Sunscreen, of SPF40+, should also be applied for a few months.