Lasers Used to Treat Birthmarks

Treatment for unsightly port-wine stains and strawberry marks has been greatly improved with the use of lasers.

"Most patients get a 50 to 75 percent lightening of the birthmark," says Dr. Moise Levy, a dermatologist at Baylor College of Medicine and co-director of the Texas Children's Hospital Birthmark Center.

Port-wine stains, most often found on the head and neck, are flat purple-red birthmarks that do not disappear with age. Strawberry marks, or hemangiomas, are bright red, protrude from the skin and often go away without treatment.

Both types are formed by masses of small blood vessels in abnormal locations.

"Although strawberry marks often disappear as an infant grows, many leave loose skin, mild scarring or fine blood vessels in their place," Dr. Levy says.

Port-wine stains require five to seven laser treatments at two- to three- month intervals. Strawberry marks can be treated more frequently, and fine broken vessels on the face as often as once a month.

The laser, which uses a yellow light absorbed only by red, reacts with a blood cell protein in the birthmark's vessel mass. The blood vessels absorb the laser's energy and convert it into heat that damages the vessels.

"The body's defense system removes the damaged cells, and when the area heals, the treated vessels are gone," Dr. Levy says. "Treatment is repeated until all visible vessels are gone or lightened."

- From Baylor College of Medicine

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Courtesy of Texas Medical Center News

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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