REMOVAL OF BIRTHMARKS

Surgical Dermatology - Removal of Birthmarks

A birthmark is a mark or a growth on the skin that can be present since early childhood or infancy. Birthmarks can be categorized according to their composition.  Birthmarks as a result of excessive accumulations of melanin are called pigmented birthmarks and are usually brown to black. Pigmented birthmarks can be flat or elevated. They may simply be due to excessive deposition of melanin pigment in the deeper layers of the skin common in more heavily pigmented infants and is called a Mongolian spot which usually fade away as the infant gets older.

A common form of the pigmented birthmarks is known as Congenital Nevus which is a large mole present since infancy or childhood.  These moles are generally small, no larger than ¼ inch diameter, however, they can be quite large, covering a significant portion the infant’s skin.

Some birthmarks are composed of blood vessels and are called vascular birthmarks. They are generally red, blue, or purple. Vascular birthmarks include hemangiomas, port wine stains, vascular malformations, arteriovenous malformations and lymphatic malformations.  Most infantile hemangiomas regress and resolve as the child gets older.  There are different treatment options available for the different types of the vascular birthmarks.

At Castle Dermatology, we utilize the latest laser technology along with our surgical expertise in treating the various types of birthmarks.  In addition to surgical interventions, non-invasive medical and laser treatments are used to achieve the most significant outcomes possible.  We also recognize the severity of some of the birthmarks and offer a referral source of experts for the treatment of the specific lesion.  In regards to the larger pigmented birthmarks, both Dr. Peyman and Pedram Ghasri have expertise in the advanced staged excision of the congenital nevus, significantly minimizing the final scar.