Discover effective methods and considerations on how to reduce or remove birthmarks. Explore your options for achieving the skin you desire.
Birthmarks can be pretty hard to figure out, right? They make a lot of us curious and have their fair share of myths and falsehoods. What do birthmarks really mean? And why do some of us have a lot of them while others don’t?
This article will tell you the truth about birthmarks, including what causes them, what kinds there are, and how you can get rid of them if you want to.
What is a Birthmark?
A birthmark is basically a mark or spot that is there at birth or shows up soon after. Birthmarks on the face are common, but they can show up anywhere on the body and can be different in size, shape, and color.
Even though most birthmarks are harmless and don’t need to be checked out by a doctor, it’s a good idea to keep track of any changes in how they look. Some birthmarks are big enough to get in the way of how the body works.
What Causes Birthmarks?
Most birthmarks are caused by cells in the skin growing in a way that isn’t normal. The two main reasons of birthmarks are:
i) The blood vessels under the skin grow in an odd way.
(ii) A rise in the number of cells under the skin that make melanin, which gives skin its color, that clump together.
There are a lot of old wives’ tales and myths about what causes birthmarks in different countries, but none of them are true. Birthmarks are not caused by the real act of giving birth.
What Are The Different Types Of Birthmarks?
The Following Are The Two Main Birthmarks Types-
Vascular birthmarks are caused by an irregular or odd pattern in blood vessels under the skin, such as capillaries, veins, or lymph vessels. This causes red, pink, or purple birthmarks. Salmon spots, Haemangiomas, Port wine stains, and other similar marks are all common types of vascular birthmarks.
Pigmented birthmarks are formed when cells under the skin called melanocytes that make melanin stick together. They are usually black or brown. Some of the most common birthmarks with color are moles, Cafe-au-lait spots, and Mongolian spots.
What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Birthmarks?
Let’s go over the important signs and symptoms to look out for in both arterial and pigmented birthmarks.
(i) Salmon spots are the most common type of vascular birthmark seen on babies. These are flat and look either red or pink. Most of the time, they show up on the baby’s face or the back of its neck, but they can show up anywhere on the body. Salmon spots on the neck take longer to fade than those on the face, which go away in one to three years.
(ii) Infantile haemangiomas, also called strawberry marks, are red birthmarks that are raised and can appear anywhere on the body. If the marks go deeper into the skin, they might look blue or purple. Haemangiomas get bigger for the first six months, and then they start to shrink and go away over the next few years. The ones that won’t go away and get in the way of seeing or other body processes should be taken care of.
(iii) Port wine spots also called “capillary malformations,” these are flat, red or purple marks that vary in size from case to case. Most of the time, they show up on the face, chest, or back of a person. They usually only show up on one side of the body.
Port wine marks are caused by changes in hormones in the body, so they show up more during puberty, pregnancy, etc. These birthmarks are constant, and they get darker and rougher as time goes on.
(iv) Cafe-au-lait spots are spots that are the color of coffee. They are pigmented birthmarks that happen often. They can show up on any part of the body and sometimes get worse as people get older. If the spots are big and there are more than five of them, you should see a doctor because this could be a sign of neurofibromatosis, a genetic problem.
(v) Mongolian spots are skin spots that look like bruises and are bluish-grey. Most of the time, they show up on the lower back or hips, but they can show up anywhere. Most of the time, these spots go away between the ages of 4 and 5 years.
(vi) Congenital moles are brown or black moles that are present at birth. In science, they are called congenital melanocytic naevi. Most of the time, these moles get smaller over time, but they can also get bigger and hairy and bumpy during puberty. They become more dangerous as they grow.
Natural Birthmark Removal Methods
Some popular natural ways to get rid of birthmarks are to put lemon juice or olive oil on the spot. In the past, lemon juice was used to get rid of freckles and make hair lighter.
Put a few drops of lemon juice on the blemish, let it sit for at least 20 minutes, then wash it off with warm water and dry your skin with a clean towel. Do this at least three times a day until the mark on your skin has gone away.
Olive oil is a natural moisturizer that can be used to smooth and ease rough, dry skin. Not only is it good for keeping your skin healthy, but some people think it can also be used as a natural way to make your scar look better over time. Do the same thing as you did with the lemon juice.
How Do You Get Rid Of Birthmarks?
As was already said, most birthmarks are harmless, and some of them go away on their own over time. But some of these marks can become permanent and start to get in the way of body processes like seeing, eating, breathing, etc., or they can be the cause of other health problems in the body. To get rid of these marks, birthmark removal treatments may need to be thought about.
Along with to the reasons listed above, some clients may choose to have birthmarks removed because they don’t like the way they look.
When you see a dermatologist, he or she will be able to give you a clear picture of how to treat a certain kind of birthmark on the face or anywhere else, based on its size, severity, etc.
Birthmarks Can Be Taken Care Of In The Following Ways:
Corticosteroids
You can take these by mouth or have them shot right into the birthmark. This will stop the scar from getting bigger, and it may also help it flatten out and look smaller.
Birthmarks Laser Removal
Birthmarks can be removed with a laser. This method works best for vascular birthmarks, and a pulsed dye laser is used to destroy the blood vessels that cause the mark. Birthmarks that are made of pigment can also be removed with a laser to get rid of the extra melanin pigment in the cells. There may need to be more than one lesson.
Lasers can sometimes completely eliminate birthmarks, especially café au lait marks or genetic vascular birthmarks. This was shown in a small study from 1995 and a research review from 1991.
Surgery
Surgery is the best way to get rid of birthmarks when they are big or when the Haemangiomas are inside the body.
What Is The Cost For Birthmark Removal Treatment?
It will depend on whether your insurance covers or not. One session of laser resurfacing can cost between $1,000 and $3,000, and you may need more than one. It can cost $100 to $500 to shave or have surgery to remove hair. The price of removing a scar depends on a number of things, such as:
- Size and severity
- Location
- The type of birthmark.
- The presence of any infections.
- The number of sessions required.
Some Myths About Birthmarks
Let’s bust some of the myths about birthmarks that aren’t backed up by science.
- All Birthmarks Are Safe: Most birthmarks are safe, but there is always a chance that a strange one could be cancerous and be the cause of a more serious health problem. So, the best thing to do is to have them checked.
- A Child With Birthmarks Is Inauspicious: Some cultures believe that a child with birthmarks is unlucky. Other cultures do not believe this. History shows that some people with birthmarks have been successful and taken over large countries, while others with birthmarks have failed. So, we can’t come to a clear decision.
- A Birthmark Is Caused by an Expecting Mother: There is no scientific proof that a birthmark on a child is caused by what the mother does while she is pregnant.
- The place of a birthmark can tell a lot about a child’s personality. This is another popular myth. There are many cases of people who were born with birthmarks in similar places but had very different personalities.
- Birthmarks are not dangerous to your life: But if they make you worry all the time, choose wisely and make a choice based on what you know.
Types Of Birthmarks
Capillary Deformity Birthmarks (Port Wine Stains)
Port wine stain birthmarks look like spots on the skin that are the color of port wine. They are caused by blood arteries that don’t work right and can be different sizes. They usually show up on the face, back, and chest, but they can show up anywhere. Most birthmarks caused by port wine are lasting and can get bigger over time.
Salmon Patch Birthmarks
Most people are born with vascular birthmarks that look like salmon spots. After a baby is born, they generally show up as light pink or red spots on the face or neck. Most salmon spots go away after a few months, but some may stay there for a few years.
Strawberry Marks (Infantile Haemangiomas)
Strawberry marks look like raised moles and can be pink, red, or purple. Their name comes from the way they feel and look. They happen to about 5% of newborn kids, so they are pretty common.
Most of the time, they go away by the time the child is seven, but first they get bigger, then they get smaller, and finally they go away. Some strawberry marks may need to be treated. If you are worried, talk to your doctor.
Cafe-Au-Lait Spots
Café-au-lait spots are flat, pale patches of skin that are the color of coffee. They are harmless, like most birthmarks, but if a child has more than six of them before they turn five, it could be a sign of neurofibromatosis, a genetic disease. Talk to your doctor if you’re worried.
Mongolian Spots
The color of Mongolian spots is blue grey, like a bruise. Most of the time, they show up on the back or buttocks of kids with darker skin. Most of the time, these colored marks go away by the time a child turns four.
Congenital Moles
Congenital moles, also called congenital melanocytic naevi, are big black or brown marks that are there from birth. They are common and are caused by groups of melanin under the skin’s surface.
They can get higher or hairy over time, and when hormones change, like during puberty, they may change color.
What To Expect After Surgery
Most children get better fast after surgery, but the exact time it takes depends on the child’s age, the type of surgery done, and the size of the birthmark that was removed.
When a small birthmark is removed, the small cut is covered with a patch and the skin is given time to heal. Our doctors use special stitches that break down on their own after three or four days. This helps make scars less noticeable. After surgery, doctors plan a checkup for 7 to 10 days later to make sure the skin is healing normally.
When bigger birthmarks are taken off, the area may be sore and swollen for a few days. Bandages stay on until 7–10 days after surgery, when the first follow-up appointment is arranged. Skin heals quickly, even when a big birthmark needs tissue expansion and transplantation. Most kids get better in about four to six weeks.
After any kind of surgery, the place where the cut was made should be closely watched. If the skin around the wound gets redder or swells up, or if your child gets a fever or complains of chills or body aches, he or she needs to see a doctor right away.
The Bottom Line
Most birthmarks don’t need to be removed for medical reasons, but you might be interested in methods to remove a birthmark if you have one you’d like to hide. Some of these are:
- Surgery
- Laser therapy
- Medication
It’s important to remember that the effects might not last forever. The cost changes by procedure, and if it’s done for looks, insurance won’t pay for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Birthmarks Dangerous?
Most birthmarks aren’t dangerous and don’t need medical care. But they might make some people feel bad about themselves, so they might choose to have them taken out for looks.
In very rare cases, birthmarks may need medical care, like if they make it hard for the person to breathe or if they get sore and hurt. If you are worried about your scar, you should talk to your doctor.
Can Birthmarks Be Removed?
Yes. Laser treatments can be used to get rid of most kinds of birthmarks. The type and color of the scar will determine which laser is used. In very rare cases and based on how big the birthmark is, it might be necessary to have surgery to remove it.
Are Birthmarks Always Permanent?
No, not all birthmarks stay the same as you get older. Some fade and even go away totally.
Can I Have a Birthmark Removed on The NHS?
Only if your health is in danger. If you want to get rid of a scar because you don’t like the way it looks, you probably won’t be able to do it on the NHS. Instead, you’ll probably have to pay to have it done privately.
Are Birthmarks Hereditary/Caused By Genes?
Still, we don’t know why birthmarks happen, and they aren’t generally passed down through genes.