How are blemishes and birthmarks caused?
There are two basic colours of birthmarks - red and brown . Brown marks are caused by an excess of melanin, the skin's natural tanning pigment which can cause marks like cafe-au-lait birthmarks. Exposure to the sun's rays can increase the amount of melanin in the skin, creating new brown skin marks or blemishes in children and adults, e.g. freckles and sun, age or liver spots. Red birthmarks are caused by an excess of blood vessels near the surface of the skin, which can vary from pale pink to dark purple. These include port wine stains, strawberry birthmarks, haemangiomas and spider veins. Further red marks or blemishes can occur in later life, such as thread veins or broken veins - and even red scars and red stretchmarks.
Can blemishes and birthmarks be removed?
Traditionally, plastic or cosmetic surgery was the only option for removing birthmarks from the skin. However, recent medical developments have lead to a more effective form of birthmark removal using laser therapy. Surgery can also be used to treat and remove blemishes occurring later on in life, offering safe, permanent and effective treatment to patients of all ages.
How does laser therapy work?
By matching the colour of the laser light to the colour of the unwanted birthmark or blemish, a wide range of skin conditions can be treated using different types of lasers. The laser energy is delivered in a series of extremely brief pulses which - over a series of treatments - break down the red or brown colouring in the skin. Often, more than one laser is required to treat different conditions successfully, so all clinics are equipped with a wide range of state-of-the art-lasers.
Are there any side effects?
Most patients will experience a positive, temporary reaction to the treatment, illustrating that laser therapy is effectively breaking down the unwanted pigment or colour in the skin. This reaction can take the form of bruising, whitening or crusting of the treated area. A few days after the treatment, this reaction will disappear, taking with it some or all of the colouring of the unwanted birthmark or blemish.
How long does treatment take?
The duration of the individual treatment sessions will vary according to the size of the area treated, the type of birthmark or blemish and the type of laser used. Treatment usually takes less than half an hour (and is often much quicker). As each treatment causes the birthmark or blemish to fade, a number of separate treatment sessions are usually necessary to achieve the best results. At Lasercare, patients are advised about the likely number of treatments sessions required. This can vary between two treatments for mild facial broken veins, to ten or more for a large port wine stain.
