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Birthmarks Don’t Have to Be Permanent

Posted July 31, 2014 in Skin Care

Close up view of light colored skin with a birthmarkBirthmarks can have a subtle or dramatic effect on a person’s appearance. However, when they are too visible or become too large, birthmarks can negatively affect a person’s overall well-being and self-esteem. In the past, individuals were forced to live with these vascular lesions whether they wanted to or not. Fortunately, modern medical advancements and technologies allow men and women of all ages to have their birthmarks permanently removed.

What are birthmarks?

In general, there are two different types of birthmarks: vascular and hyperpigmentation.

Vascular Birthmarks

Vascular birthmarks occur when a blood vessels clump together in the skin. These often grow larger with age and may be red, blue, or purple in color. Examples of vascular birthmarks include:

  • Hemangiomas

  • Port wine stains

  • Salmon patches

Pigmented Birthmarks

Pigmented birthmarks occur where you have more pigment, or color, in one part of your skin, and they can appear in clusters. Examples of pigmented birthmarks include:

  • Moles

  • Café-au-lait spots

  • Mongolian spots

How are birthmarks removed?

Treatment depends on the type and size of the birthmark. Some birthmarks can be significantly lightened or made smaller using a special laser. If the birthmark can be removed surgically, the process is quite simple and usually takes less than an hour to complete, depending on the size and depth of the birthmark. Dr. Taleisnik administers local anesthesia and then carefully makes an incision to remove the birthmark. Once the birthmark is completely removed, the remaining skin is brought together and closed with sutures.

There is little to no downtime associated with birthmark removal, and most patients can resume their daily routine after a day or two. Like any surgical procedure, scarring will likely exist. However, if the procedure is performed by an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Taleisnik, the appearance of scars can be quite inconspicuous and are usually much less noticeable than the original birthmark.

After the final results of a birthmark removal procedure become apparent, patients are typically very satisfied with the outcome and often develop a new sense of confidence about their physical appearance.

If you feel that your birthmark(s) are affecting your quality of life, we encourage you to contact our Orange County practice today. Simply call (714) 538-8549 or feel free to fill out our online contact form today. Dr. Andrés Taleisnik is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and looks forward to helping you achieve your goals.

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