Laser For Birthmarks

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Laser treatment with a pulsed dye laser is presently the treatment of selection for reducing the colour of a type of birthmark known as a capillary malformation. this kind of birthmark is usually known as a ‘port wine stain’. it may also facilitate reduce the chance of a ‘cobblestone’ impact (raised bumps or ridges) that can develop on a birthmark in adulthood.

How does laser treatment works?

Laser treatment uses a narrow beam of light that’s absorbed by the red colour in the blood vessels. The light produces heat, which destroys the blood vessels that frame the port wine stain. this can be known as ‘selective photothermolysis’. It causes the port wine stain to become lighter in color over a period of time.

Each time the light beam touches the skin, it treats a small area only a couple of mili-meters across. We call this a laser ‘spot’. Most youngsters will have uncountable ‘spots’ carried out in one laser treatment session.

What does the treatment feel like?

Each laser spot looks like being flicked with a rubber band. Some individuals may notice this upsetting so we suggest that they have a general anaesthetic (and so are asleep throughout the procedure) significantly if larger or more sensitive areas are being treated.

Some individuals may be able to have treatment without a general anaesthetic, depending on their age and also the size of their port wine stain. The area of skin being treated may be numbed 1st using local anaesthetic cream (sometimes known as ‘magic’ cream).