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Birthmarks are common skin abnormalities that can have a profound effect on your self-confidence, and in some cases can become sore or painful.
Our private dermatology and children’s plastic surgery services provide expert treatments for a range of birthmarks – with a comprehensive selection of laser options available.
Based at Evelina London Children’s, Guy’s Hospital and Wimpole Street Consulting Rooms and Diagnostic Centre, our dedicated team supports adults and children specialising in reconstructive and cosmetic care.
Experts in birthmark removal and treatment
Our world-leading consultants offer:
- short-notice appointments, available in as little as 24 hours
- safe and effective laser treatments for birthmarks
- personalised treatment plans
What are birthmarks?
Birthmarks are coloured marks on your skin that are present at birth or develop shortly after.
Some birthmarks fade as you get older, but others may need removal with specialist treatment.
While birthmarks do not often cause physical symptoms, some people feel less confident because of them, especially when they are visible to others.
Causes of birthmarks
Birthmarks can have different causes but the leading reasons are:
- your blood vessels beneath the skin do not form properly, causing them to be wider or develop more than needed
- an overgrowth of the specific cells within your skin that create pigment (colour)
The abnormal function of your blood vessels causes vascular birthmarks such as strawberry marks and port wine stain birthmarks. In contrast, an overgrowth of coloured cells produces pigmented birthmarks like congenital moles and cafe-au-lait spots.
What do birthmarks look like?
There are many different types of birthmarks, and they can all look different from one another, affecting other areas of the body. Most birthmarks will fit into 1 of 2 categories – either vascular or pigmented.
Vascular birthmarks
These common birthmarks are red or pink patches on a baby’s head, neck or eyelids. You may notice these birthmarks more when your baby cries. Salmon patches are entirely flat and will not cause any discomfort to your baby. Typically, they fade by age 2, particularly on the forehead and eyelids. Other areas, such as the back of the head or neck, can take longer.
These birthmarks can be raised, known as strawberry marks, look like red lumps on the skin. These usually appear quickly after birth and look red on all skin tones.
Strawberry marks are more common in:
- girls
- premature babies
- babies with a low birth weight
- multiple births
Strawberry marks can grow quickly within the first 6-12 months, but then usually shrink and many can completely disappear between the ages of 5-9. Sometimes, they can develop underneath the skin and appear purple or blue. Although some reduce in size, those that do not disappear completely can leave some redness or lumps within the skin.
This type of birthmark may need medical treatment if they develop around areas such as the eyes, nose or mouth, as they can affect vision, breathing and eating. Treatment can really reduce the rapid growth within the first year.
These can be pink, red or purple birthmarks, typically developed on the face and neck. Port wine stains can look like very dark patches in brown or black skin.
Port wine stains are present from birth, do not disappear and can become darker and lumpy if left untreated.
Pigmented birthmarks
Cafe-au-lait spots are light or dark brown flat patches found anywhere on the body. They may look darker on brown or black skin.
They are common and can come in different shapes and sizes.
Blue-grey spots are birthmarks that look like bruises on the arms, legs, lower back or bottom. They tend to be more common in babies with brown or black skin.
Otherwise known as congenital moles or congenital melanocytic naevi, these moles are present from birth. This birthmark is an overgrowth of pigment cells and can appear anywhere on the body.
They may become darker, raised or hairy as you age – especially during puberty. They do not often require treatment, but you may decide to have them removed if they affect your confidence.
Risk factors for birthmarks
Some people are more at risk of birthmarks than others. If close family members have birthmarks, you may have a genetic predisposition.
Underlying medical conditions can also increase your risk for certain types of birthmarks. Cafe-au-lait spots are often associated with a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis type 1 that causes non-cancerous tumours to grow along your nerves. It means that if you or your child has neurofibromatosis, you will probably have cafe-au-lait spots.
Port wine stain on the face can be a sign of Sturge-Weber syndrome and Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, or macrocephaly-capillary malformation, but this is rare.
Birthmarks are not preventable, but the correct treatment can reduce or remove them.
When to see a doctor for your or your child’s birthmark
Most of the time, you do not need to see a doctor for a birthmark. However, sometimes medical attention is necessary.
Speak with your doctor if:
- the birthmark is close to the eyes, mouth or nose
- the birthmark has grown in size or is bleeding/ulcerating
- the birthmark has become darker or lumpier
- the birthmark is painful or sore
- your child has 6 or more cafe-au-lait spots
- a congenital mole is large
Birthmark treatments
At Guy’s and St Thomas’ Specialist Care, we treat various birthmarks in adults and children. Treatment will depend on your birthmark type and its severity.
Pulsed dye laser treatment for birthmarks
To remove vascular birthmarks, such as port wine stains, we most commonly use pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment. PDL helps reduce or eliminate the port wine stains (capillary malformations) without causing scarring or lumps. It can provide fast and effective results with minimal recovery.
A PDL is a highly concentrated light energy that targets the skin’s blood vessels and shrinks them, which can minimise the appearance of birthmarks. Most people require several treatment sessions carried out at least 1 month apart.
PDL treatments can be slightly uncomfortable, but they only last a few minutes. If you are anxious or feel a lot of discomfort, your consultant can apply a numbing cream up to 1 hour before.
Previously, on black and brown skin, PDL wasn’t typically offered due to concerns over hypo/hyperpigmentation – the wavelength of light used can affect the melanin. However, at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Specialist Care, we have the Nd:YAG Q Switch laser which helps reduce the risk of darkening or lightening of the skin. The Nd:YAG laser allows greater penetration into the middle layer of the skin and away from the melanin due to its longer wavelength.
Surgical removal of birthmarks
We also offer surgical removal of birthmarks. Your surgeon will assess your birthmark and offer you the best option from a range of the latest techniques. The surgeon can remove the entire birthmark in a single operation (called excision) or they may decide to remove the mark in multiple smaller procedures (called serial excision) which will minimise the length of the scarring. This process can take many months, or even years, until the entire birthmark has gone. However, this depends on the size of the birthmark and where it is on your body.
Surgical removal of birthmarks will always leave scarring but our surgeons are trained to try to minimise this as much as possible.
Birthmark treatment in children
We offer the same technologies and techniques in children of all ages. However, depending on the age/maturity of your child and the size of the birthmark, we may carry out your child’s birthmark removal under sedation or general anaesthetic, so they are comfortable and stay completely still, and feel no pain during the procedure.
Our child-friendly environment at Evelina London Children’s Hospital will ensure your child feels supported and cared for throughout their birthmark removal with our specialists.
Book an appointment with Guy’s and St Thomas’ Specialist Care
We’re experts in treating a range of skin conditions. Our leading dermatologists and plastic surgeons use the latest technology to treat birthmarks, ensuring all our patients receive the safest care
Book an appointment with our world-renowned team if you or your child has a birthmark causing you physical or emotional discomfort.
Locations
Our children's plastic surgery and dermatology services are located at:
Discover our birthmark experts
Meet our team of specialists with expertise in treating birthmarks in both adults and children.