Birthmark Treatments Arlington Heights IL

Find top doctors who perform Birthmark Treatments in Arlington Heights, IL. Whether you’re seeking treatment or looking to schedule a preventative screening, we can connect you with the best dermatologists near you in Arlington Heights, IL.

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Birthmark Treatments FAQ in Arlington Heights, IL

Why do birthmarks suddenly appear?

Researchers are not sure why moles suddenly appear later in life. Most that do are benign and occur likely because of age, prescription drug use, sunburn or extensive sun exposure and genetic mutations. Any mole that appears and looks unordinary can be a cause for concern.

How can I flatten my birthmark?

Shaving or surgery physically removes the birthmark, whereas lasers shrink blood vessels to make vascular birthmarks less visible. Medication is also used to shrink certain birthmarks, like some hemangiomas.

Can I laser my birthmark?

Laser is used to treat skin birthmarks, such as brown/black spots and vascular lesions (pink or red marks caused by abnormal blood vessels). Vascular lesions include port wine stains and haemangiomas (strawberry naevus).

Should birthmarks be removed?

Many birthmarks do not require surgical intervention and either shrink and fade on their own or respond well to medication or laser therapy. However, our dermatologists may recommend surgery for some types of birthmarks.

Can lasers be used to remove birthmarks and tattoos?

How does Laser work to remove Tattoo/birthmarks? Laser beams penetrate skin upto the level of tattooed ink/pigmented birth mark and break it down into small particles. These fragmented particles are slowly cleared from that site by body’s own defense cells and eventually tattoo is cleared in 6 to 8 sittings.

When should I be worried about my birthmark?

Because port wine stains and certain hemangiomas can be disfiguring and embarrassing for children, Rozell-Shannon advises parents to consult with a vascular birthmarks specialist if their child’s birthmark has gotten larger or darker, or isn’t diminishing on its own.

What kind of birthmark is rare?

Nevus Sebaceous “This type of birthmark is very rare but it is important because it has a high risk of developing into basal cell skin cancer. It is one of the few birthmarks that may be surgically removed at an early age to prevent it from becoming cancerous,” says Miller.

Should you remove birthmarks?

Reasons for Birthmark Removal Most birthmarks do not pose serious health risks or require treatment. Many fade with time and only require observation. However, parents of infants and children with birthmarks can have great concern, especially when the birthmark is very large or in a visible location.

How many treatments does it take to remove a birthmark?

In our experience, the best results occur when a series of treatments, usually between four and six, take place over two or three years. The length of each treatment session varies according to whether your child has treatment under general anaesthetic or local anaesthetic and the characteristics of their birthmark.

Can birthmarks be harmful?

Usually birthmarks are only a concern for your appearance. But certain types can increase your risk of skin cancer. If your birthmark bleeds, hurts, itches, or becomes infected, call your health care provider.

What are the 4 types of birthmarks?

Macular stains. Also called salmon patches, angel kisses, or stork bites, these faint red marks are the most common type of vascular birthmark. Hemangiomas. Port-wine stains. Café-au-lait spots. Mongolian spots. Moles (congenital nevi, hairy nevus).

What kind of birthmarks are rare?

Venous Malformations These birthmarks are very rare. A vascular malformation is a tangle of blood vessels that are usually bigger and more protruding than other blood vessel birthmarks. Venous malformations do not fade away over time and often need to be treated.

How do you prevent birthmarks?

There is no known way to prevent birthmarks. People with birthmarks should use a good quality sunscreen when outdoors in order to prevent complications.

Does everyone get a birthmark?

While birthmarks are common, not everyone has one. There’s no way to predict if a child will have a birthmark or not. Not having a birthmark isn’t a sign of a particular health condition or a cause for concern. Also, remember that many types of birthmarks fade as children get older.

Why do birthmarks get bigger?

These birthmarks form when skin cells produce an excess of melanin, which is the body’s natural pigment. Café-au-lait birthmarks generally don’t fade and may get bigger or darker over time. Most are harmless.