However, some patients will receive ten or more treatments in all, and even then it may still be somewhat visible.

In many cases the birthmark’s appearance can be reduced by 25% in just one to three visits, depending on its starting size, color, and depth. With that said, laser procedures have been shown to be very effective, and remain the safest and most popular treatment option. By delivering focused heat to the lower layers of skin, these devices allow the surgeon to cut off the dilated capillaries’ blood flow. The skin’s tone, its texture, and the depth of the affected vessels are also determining factors. Typically, the closer the birthmark is to the heart, the easier it is to remove. Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer to this question - results vary, and the birthmark may not be entirely eliminated in all cases. “Over time, port-wine stains become dark purple, with a thick, cobblestoned appearance and unsightly lumps… It’s a good idea to get them taken care of as soon as possible,” advises Milgraum. In children, the affected areas are generally smaller, paler, and smoother. Glaucoma is another potential complication, occuring in 50% of cases associated with Sturge Weber syndrome between infancy and later childhood.īecause the appearance of port-wine stains tends to worsen, surgeons typically recommend that pulsed-dye laser treatments be performed early on in life. As the birthmarks grow, they can cause spontaneous bleeding and inhibit motion. In some cases, port-wine stains can also lead to more serious health issues later on in life. “When untreated, port wine stains are permanent - they are present at birth, and only get darker and thicker over time.” “Port-wine stains are often confused with other types of birthmark that slowly disappear over time,” says Dr. As time goes by, port-wine stains may also become raised, or develop small bumps as the lesions thicken. Over time they typically darken, reaching a deep “wine color” later in adulthood. In children, port-wine stains often start as smooth, light-pink marks. Can Port-Wine Stains Go Away on Their Own? These deep blue birthmarks are referred to as “cavernous,” and can be more difficult to treat than those found in the higher levels of the skin, which tend to be bright-red. In most instances however, a port-wine stain is a simple, genetically determined birthmark - one which can have deeply negative effects on confidence, quality-of-life and self-image.Īpproximately 60% of all port-wine stains appear around the face and head, but they can occur on nearly any part of the body. In some cases they are located in the top layers of the skin, while others lie deep beneath the surface and take on a darker, bluish tone. In some cases they appear later in life as the result of physical trauma, or as a symptom of serious illnesses such as Sturge Weber syndrome or Klippel–Trénaunay–Weber syndrome. And while we may call them “birthmarks,” they’re not always visible at the time of birth. Capillaries in the affected areas become permanently dilated, leading to reddish or purple patches of discolored skin.Īpproximately one in two hundred people are born with port-wine stains. Port-wine stains, or nevus flammeus as they are known medically, are caused by a blood vessel malformation.

Sandy Milgraum about how lasers treatments can significantly reduce the appearance of port-wine stains in children and adults. The term “port-wine stain” may sound innocent or even poetic, but to those born with these red and purple birthmarks, they can be a lifelong source of anxiety. We spoke with New Jersey dermatologist Dr.

Port wine stains treatment