Birthmarks, Freckles, and Port Stains

Birthmarks can be of two types: pigmented or vascular. Pigmented birthmarks are the result of large concentrations of melanin in one spot, and are most often brown in color. Types of pigmented birthmarks include cafe au lait spots, moles, and Mongolian spots.

Vascular birthmarks (blood vessel), on the other hand, marks develop when blood vessels near the surface of the skin do not form correctly, creating an overgrowth of cells. The most common type of vascular pigmentations include:

• Macular Stains – Faint red marks that are also known as salmon patches, stork bites, or angel kisses. These appear more frequently on the eyelids, forehead, neck, nose, back of the head or upper lip.
• Hemangiomas – Superficial or deep pigmentation that may appear as a red mark (strawberry mark) or a bluish mark if the blood vessels are located deeper in the skin tissue.
• Port Wine Stains – Reddish or brown discolorations that look like wine has been spilled on the skin. These marks most often appear on the face, neck, arms, and legs.
• Pigmented Marks – Formed by an overproduction of pigmentation in the skin at birth or due to hormonal fluctuations, such as pregnancy. These marks are often tan, brown, or black.
• Café au Lait Spots – Light tan colored pigmentations on the surface of the skin that looks as though coffee with milk has been spilled on the skin.
• Moles – Also known as nevi or nevus, moles are a general term for a tan, brown, or black discoloration on the skin that may be present at birth or develop later in life. It is important to monitor moles for any changes in size, color, texture, and sensation to determine whether or not they have become cancerous.

Depending on your form of vascular pigmentation and specific skin type, your best treatments may vary. However, the insight of a skilled dermatologist in San Diego will help you better understand how to treat these conditions for the best looking and longest lasting results possible.

Pulsed Dye Laser

PDL, or pulsed dye laser, is another good option for reducing red birthmarks. The light of a PDL treatment is absorbed by the hemoglobin in the red cells of the affected blood vessels, thus eliminating unwanted red capillaries. PDL is a safe and effective choice for reduction of red birthmarks, with no downtime necessary.

Lumenis ResurFX

The Lumenis ResurFX is a laser which can be used for pigmentation problems, including brown birthmarks. It is a non-ablative laser which gently reduces pigmentation, leading to a smoother and more even skin tone. The ResurFX requires only one pass for full results, reducing the amount of time a session takes and protecting the patient’s skin. This laser is very gentle and effective and requires no downtime.

Other treatments offered at our center in San Diego include the following:

• Active FX/Deep FX
• Acupulse
• UltraPulse CO2
• Sciton
• eMatrix
• Cynosure Elite