Laser Treatment for Birth Marks

Laser treatment has developed into a reliable technique to reduce or completely remove birthmarks. The University of Michigan Health System lists different varieties of laser treatment for different types of birthmarks. Q-switched lasers, for instance, destroy the pigment in tan or brown birthmarks, while pulsed dye lasers reduce blood vessels that cause port-wine birthmarks. All laser techniques, however, involve applying laser light to the birthmark. Doctors cannot guarantee complete removal of the birthmark, however, and patients must consider whether the procedure makes sense for them.

Indications

• Laser treatment can help people who feel embarrassed about a birthmark or face a possible health complication from the birthmark, according to Cosmetic Surgery. People with port-wine stains and other discolorations can usually improve their appearance through laser treatment, while people with certain types of large moles may want to avoid possible skin cancer by removing them. Laser treatment cannot remove hemangiomas, or tumors, that extend deep under the skin or within the body.

Benefits

• In many cases, laser treatments can either eliminate a birthmark or lighten it significantly, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Port-wine stains, for instance, usually lighten by 50 to 90 percent under laser treatment, and a few patients may see complete eradication of the birthmark. Lasers can also remove hemangiomas close to skin surface, or at least prevent them from becoming larger.

Procedure

• In a laser treatment, the doctor positions the laser device over the birthmark and fires precise beams of laser light in short bursts to burn the birthmark away. This procedure may occur in a single session or multiple sessions as needed. The treatment causes some discomfort but not the serious pain associated with invasive cutting techniques. Adults usually require only a local anesthetic, applied in the form of a cream, for laser treatment of birthmarks. Small children may need a general anesthetic to keep them asleep through the procedure.

Issues

• Laser therapy for birthmarks poses certain risks. The skin color in the area of the birthmark may appear slightly lighter or darker than the surrounding skin, usually temporarily but sometimes permanently. Cosmetic Surgery also warns that skin may appear dark purple for several weeks following the procedure. In addition to ordinary side effects, such as crusting or bleeding, some patients may experience permanent scarring from the laser. Children who receive a general anesthetic may also face some risk from the anesthetic itself.

Considerations

• While laser treatment can remove or reduce some kinds of birthmarks, treatment of any kind may prove unnecessary. Macular stains on the face, for instance, usually disappear on their own before a child turns two years of age, making laser treatment a waste of effort and money. Hemangiomas may also disappear completely during childhood. Parents of children with birthmarks may decide to wait until the birthmark appears permanent before deciding on a course of laser treatment for the child.