What to Know About Reducing the Appearance of Your Birthmark

Birthmarks are common skin markings that are present at birth or appear shortly afterward. Marks can range in size, color, and texture, appearing as small brown spots or larger red or purple skin patches. 

While many birthmarks are harmless, you may be exploring your options to reduce the visibility of a mark, so you can feel more confident in your appearance.

Balcones Dermatology & Aesthetics offers advanced therapies, including laser treatments, to minimize the appearance of birthmarks.

Board-certified dermatologist, David A. Bushore, MD, FAAD, customizes a treatment plan to your needs based on the type of birthmark you have and its location. He also offers ongoing guidance to protect your skin’s health from sun damage, skin cancer, and other complications.

Understanding birthmarks

A birthmark is an area of skin that differs in texture or color from surrounding skin. Spots or patches may fade over time, but some marks remain noticeable for a lifetime.

There are two main categories of birthmarks:

Vascular birthmarks

Vascular birthmarks, such as hemangiomas and port wine stains originate from abnormal blood vessels beneath the skin.

Pigmented birthmarks

Pigmented birthmarks like moles form from a cluster of skin cells that contain excess melanin (pigment).

Birthmarks can appear on any part of the body and are commonly present on the face, neck, lower back, and legs.

Getting treatment for birthmarks

Typically, birthmarks are totally harmless and require no medical treatment. However, you must seek medical attention if you have moles or other birthmarks that change in shape, size, or color to rule out complications like skin cancer.

If you’re interested in minimizing the appearance of a birthmark for cosmetic reasons, you can meet with board-certified dermatologist David A. Bushore, MD, FAAD, to discuss your treatment options.

While birthmarks are usually harmless, they may affect your confidence, and in some cases, your quality of life. Dr. Bushore offers the latest treatments to help you feel better about your appearance while also protecting your skin’s health.

Advanced therapies for birthmarks

Advancements in dermatology allow Dr. Bushore to reduce the appearance of birthmarks on many types of skin tones and textures. Depending on the type of birthmark you have and its location, you may be a candidate for:

Laser therapy

Laser therapy utilizes focused light energy to target and destroy abnormal blood vessels or pigmented skin lesions without damaging the surrounding healthy tissue. The birthmark fades as your body naturally absorbs and eliminates the treated cells.

Balcones Dermatology & Aesthetics offers advanced laser systems like the Cutera® excel® V+ laser to eliminate skin discolorations and abnormal blood vessels.

Topical medications

Certain birthmarks can be treated with a topical medication that helps to lighten or shrink the mark.

Surgical removal

If you have a large birthmark or a birthmark that changes in size, shape, or color, board-certified dermatologist David A. Bushore, MD, FAAD, may recommend surgery to remove the discolored tissue.

In the case of abnormal skin changes, he may also request a biopsy to check for infection, skin cancer, and other issues.

Call Balcones Dermatology & Aesthetics in Austin, Texas, today to learn more about your treatment options for a birthmark, or book a consultation online.