Certain skin irregularities can crop up unexpectedly, while others are present at birth. Birthmarks are spots that we can live with throughout our lives. For some, these marks can be beauty accents, for others, they can be annoying. If you are unhappy with the marks on your skin, we can help you do something about them. McLean & Potomac Dermatology offers several treatment options to address birthmarks and help you get the skin you want. Schedule an appointment in McLean or Potomac to learn more today.
What Causes Birthmarks?
Birthmarks are benign irregularities on the skin that usually appear at birth or shortly after. They can vary in size, location, appearance, and origin. An overgrowth of blood vessels, melanocytes, smooth muscle, fat, fibroblasts, or keratinocytes causes birthmarks. They are usually classified into two types: pigmented birthmarks and vascular birthmarks.
Certain types of birthmarks include:
- Café au lait spots – These benign spots can occur anywhere on the body. They are commonly oval, though sometimes irregular, and light brown. These spots do not fade with age. However, if you have more than two of these birthmarks, it is best to alert your physician.
- Stork bites – Also called a capillary malformation because the lesion is vascular. It appears due to dilated blood vessels. These birthmarks are usually temporary, though they can be treated with a laser if they persist. They often appear as a pink or red flat, irregularly shaped mark on the neck’s knee, face, and/or back.
- Port-wine stains – These birthmarks are usually present at birth and appear either pink or deep red. They are usually irregularly shaped and quite large and occur due to blood pooling beneath the skin in the absence or deficiency of nerves supplying these blood vessels. They do not fade with age and can sometimes become thicker and develop small ridges.
How Are Birthmarks Addressed?
The good thing about treating birthmarks is that they don’t necessarily need to be excised via a surgical procedure. These marks can often be treated using lasers or microneedling. These procedures are non-surgical and can gradually reduce the appearance of the marks without the need for extensive downtime afterward.
What to Expect From Treatment
The right treatment for you will depend on the size and location of your birthmark. Several treatment sessions are necessary to give you the skin you want in most cases. That said, since these treatments are non-surgical, little, if any, downtime will be needed after each session. In some cases, you may even be able to return to the rest of your day immediately after your visit.
Find Treatments For Birthmarks in McLean, VA, or Potomac, MD
At McLean & Potomac Dermatology, we offer several birthmark treatment options that can give you the skin you deserve. Several sessions may be needed to eliminate the mark completely, but we will be with you every step of the way until you’re satisfied. Schedule an appointment at one of our locations to learn more today.
You can reach us by messaging us through the Klara app on this website or giving us a call at (703) 356-5111.
