Birthmark Treatment

Dr Targett will provide you with a full explanation of the treatment during your first consultation.  Should you have any questions about the procedure you will be given a chance to ask during at this time.

The pain experienced during the procedure is often described as being similar to a rubber band flick against the skin. Most adults are able to tolerate this easily, however, children will often need to have a topical anaesthetic cream applied to make it more tolerable.

At Advanced Cosmetic Medicine we will not do any other type of anaesthesia.

After the laser treatment, the area that has been treated will be sore, swollen, red or bruised.  You will be provided with post-care treatment instruction before you leave. Ice packs and paracetamol are often appropriate to help sooth the pain.

Pigmented birthmarks are caused by abnormal concentrations of melanin in the skin. Melanin is a naturally occurring substance that gives our skin its colour, but when concentrated into one spot it results in dark discolouration. Pigmented birthmarks include cafe-au-lait spots, moles, and Mongolian spots.

Birthmarks can also be vascular in nature, resulting from increased or widened blood vessels. Vascular birthmarks include macular stains, hemangiomas and port-wine stains, and can range from light pink to deep red in colour. Portwine stains especially tend to be large and prominent, and they don’t fade over time.

These marks can be present at birth or show up soon after. While some birthmarks will fade away over the years, others will linger into adulthood and even worsen over time. Often these birthmarks can cause self-consciousness and embarrassment, especially if they are in a prominent location. If this is the case, don’t worry: there are treatment options that can help to remove most types of birthmarks!

Red birthmarks are skin markings caused by blood vessels. This type of birthmark may develop before or shortly after a baby is born. Currently, there is no known way to prevent red birthmarks and their cause is unknown. A dermatologist should examine the birthmark to determine if it is of concern or requires treatment.

Hemangioma: A common, painless benign vascular growth that develops in early infancy, typically during the first several weeks of life. This birthmark grows rapidly during the first 6 months of life, then stabilizes in size and slowly disappears without treatment by the time a child is 9 years old.

Port Wine Stain: A flat, purple-to-red birthmark made of dilated blood capillaries. This commonly occurs on the face and is usually permanent unless treated with a laser. This type of birthmark may thicken and darken over time, and cause bleeding and psychological distress.

Salmon Patch (stork bite, nevus simplex): Appears in 30-50% of all newborns. These marks are small capillaries that can be seen through the skin. They most commonly occur between the eyebrows or on the eyelids or forehead, on the upper lip or on the back of the neck. Usually these marks fade without treatment as the infant continues to grow.

The Cutera Excel V laser is an ideal laser for the treatment of birthmarks. This laser has three modes, which can be used accordingly to treat both superficial and deep vascular conditions, such as pigmented lesions. The Cutera Excel V laser is safe, gentle, and effective, and requires little to no downtime. Depending on the condition being treated, patients may see significant results after just one session. The number of sessions required will vary depending on the condition being treated and the patient’s desired results.