How to Remove Birthmarks
What is a birthmark? A skin abnormality that is present from birth or develops soon after birth is called a birthmark. There are two types of birthmarks, namely, congenital and acquired. Congenital birthmarks are vascular or pigmented. Vascular birthmarks are the result of a malformation of blood vessels and are red in color. An overgrowth of cells that create pigment causes pigmented birthmarks, and they may be tan/black, brown, or blue in color. Pigmented birthmarks are brown to black in color and can be present on the face, trunk, or foot.
How to Remove Birthmarks?
Birthmarks are mostly harmless and do not require treatment. Many birthmarks even go away on their own, but some may increase in size as we grow with age, and some may worsen with time if not treated, and affect one’s appearance. Pigmented birthmarks, except for moles, are mostly not treated, while vascular birthmark removal is possible with the help of laser surgery. Moles can be treated with a radiofrequency laser.
A birthmark on the face is a cause of worry because it directly affects one’s facial beauty, due to which people who have a birthmark on their face often seek a suitable treatment for its removal. Treatments to remove birthmarks on the face include birthmark removal creams, laser therapy, and surgery. How to remove birthmarks from the face would be decided best by a dermatologist, wherein the type of treatment would be based on the type of birthmark.
How to Remove Birthmarks from Face: Treatment Measures
Treatment of a birthmark is based on its type, as to whether it is vascular or pigmented.
- Vascular Birthmark Removal Cream: Applied topically on the site, works to reduce the visibility and size of the birthmark.
- Beta-blockers: May be prescribed as a treatment for birthmarks on the face. They cause the blood vessels to shrink and thus reduce the blood flowing to a certain area, which leads to a birthmark being less visible.
- Corticosteroids: Another medication for birthmark removal. These medicines shrink the blood vessels and reduce the visibility of birthmarks. Medicines to remove birthmarks are effective during the proliferative phase of birthmarks, which means they work till the affected individual’s age is around 1 year.
- Laser Therapy: Lightens red birthmarks. The heat of the laser causes the blood vessels to shrink, in turn causing the blood vessels to get less noticeable. Laser treatment for birthmark removal is most effective during infancy but can be used for children and adults. Laser therapy gives permanent results, but the birthmark may not disappear completely.
- Pigmented Birthmarks: Laser and surgery are the lines of treatment, as it is based on the size and site of the birthmark.
- Surgery: Another effective treatment for birthmark removal. In the surgical procedure, a scalpel is used to remove a birthmark from the face. Surgery gives permanent results but may lead to some scarring.