Birthmark Removal

Plastic Surgery in Charleston, SC

Birthmarks can be a welcome mark of personality, but when they are too big, too visible, or otherwise undesirable, they can be a constant burden. If you have a birthmark that you want removed, Port City Plastic Surgery can help. Laser birthmark removal is a nonsurgical method for reducing the appearance of a birthmark, sometimes to the point that it is virtually invisible.

We invite you to learn more about this exciting option for birthmark removal. Please schedule a consultation with Charleston, South Carolina plastic surgeon Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse today.

Understanding Birthmarks

There are two common types of birthmarks: vascular and pigmentary. Vascular birthmarks are red or pink in color. They include hemangiomas and port wine stains. Hemangiomas appear during childhood, may get larger, and often resolve spontaneously. Port wine stains begin as pale pink patches, usually on the head or neck of a child. They grow as the child grows and darken in color. They may get thicker and may lead to deformities of the lip or nose. Port wine birthmarks do not resolve spontaneously.

Pigmentary birthmarks are brown in color. The two most common types are café-au-lait spots, which are brown spots that can be nearly any size, and moles, sometimes also called nevi. Some nevi are brown, while others may be different colors, like blue-grey. Sometimes, nevi appear in clusters. Pigmentary birthmarks do not resolve spontaneously.

Birthmark Removal

Fractional laser skin resurfacing can have a similar effect on pigmentary birthmarks that it has on sunspots or freckles. They can lighten with treatment, although they sometimes return when exposed to sun.

Vascular birthmarks, on the other hand, respond very well to laser treatment. Using a principle similar to that used for laser hair removal and laser tattoo removal, specific frequency lasers target the blood vessels that make them up and they lighten dramatically and may even disappear completely, never to return.

It may take several treatments to reach maximum correction for your birthmark. During your consultation, Dr. Widenhouse will discuss your treatment options and expected results.

Please call or email Port City Plastic Surgery in Charleston, South Carolina today to learn more.