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How to get rid of stuff » Health Problems » How to Get Rid of Birthmarks
 

How to Get Rid of Birthmarks

November 25th, 2008 by admin
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Having a birthmark isn’t exactly the end of the world. Birthmarks are skin blemishes that often appear a month after the child is born. Some of them are almost invisible, while others occupy as much as half of a person’s face. Many folk tales and myths have been passed around to explain the true origins of birthmarks. However, despite the many advances in science and technology, the cause of this skin aberration isn’t fully understood yet.

 

Common Variations Not all birthmarks are the same. Several classifications have been made so it is easier to identify the characteristics and corresponding treatment of the skin patch. Here are some of the most common types of birthmarks.
  • Pigmented Birthmarks – This type poses no health hazards and doesn’t need any treatment. This subgroup includes moles, coffee cream-colored spots and Mongolian blue spots. You have no choice but to accept these birthmarks because they will be around for the rest of your life.
  • Salmon Patches – These are nothing more than a small, red blemish on the skin. Don’t panic if you see a very thin, flat patch of discoloration on your baby because macular stains usually disappear after the child’s first year.
  • Vascular Abnormality – These malformations are formed from the irregular development of blood vessels. They are permanent and are already present since the child was born. They become a concern if the birthmarks are on the face because they may be associated with eye and/or brain problems.
  • Hemangiomas – These lesions develop about two weeks after birth. Hemangiomas are either bright red or bluish-purple. These tumors commonly strike females and premature babies. If the hemangioma grows on internal organs like the stomach, liver or intestines, you need to consult a physician immediately.
  • Port-wine Stains. Especially if located on the face or forehead, these massive reddish marks cause some of the heaviest damage on a person, emotionally, socially and even economically. Port-wine stains near the eyes could also lead to blindness if left untreated. There is a relatively high rate of people who suffer from this particular birthmark. Protect two of the most sensitive parts of your body by having a thorough eye and brain exam.
General Characteristics Birthmarks have no symptoms but they have common characteristics besides being an oddly-colored part of the skin. Still, birthmarks differ in appearance and characteristics from one another. Birthmarks can be flat, raised, smooth or lumpy. They may also be brown, black, blue, red or purple. Some are permanent while others disappear after a year or two. Overall, birthmarks are generally harmless. You only need to consult a doctor if they are accompanied by blood, open sore, infection or pain.

 

No Big Deal Only rarely does a birthmark interfere with a person’s normal functions. They often disappear or fade away over time. You only need medical help for a birthmark if it starts to form on your internal organs. Treating your birthmark to make it shrink, fade or completely go away isn’t always a guaranteed success. It is a very big decision to make because you might get nothing in return despite enduring the painful process. Most birthmarks are removed for purely aesthetic purposes. Having a medical professional treat the skin irregularity should be your last option. Try to hide it with makeup, clothing or a different hairstyle. (For latest hairstyle trends, read how to make the latest hair styles)

 

Last Option There is absolutely no way to prevent birthmarks from popping on your body, but they are removable. However, before you push through with your birthmark operation, consult a doctor about the risks and rewards of the procedure. Understand that not all birthmarks are treatable. Try looking at some photos of birthmarks before and after they were treated. Among the various types of birthmarks, hemangiomas are most likely to receive treatment. Although they aren’t remotely attractive, most hemangiomas shrink on their own. The type of treatment depends on the age of the patient, as well as the characteristics of the birthmark. Below are the most widely used treatments against birthmarks.

 

  • Direct Medication. Corticosteroids like prednisone can be taken orally or injected directly into a hemangioma to stunt its growth and make it shrink. On the flipside, corticosteroids cause weight gain, although it disappears when you stop the treatment. When treatment takes effect, the hemangioma would shrink within two to four weeks. If the treated area becomes infected, apply topical cream on it.
  • Stronger Pills. In the very rare instance that the corticosteroid fails to prevent the hemangioma from growing further, your doctor might prescribe interferon alfa-12. This medication packs a stronger punch but has serious side effects. The birthmark will recede after three to six months of therapy, but you may suffer fever, irritability and liver problems.
  • Laser Therapy. If you want fast results, go high-tech with laser procedure. This method is used on birthmarks that are near the surface of the skin like port-wine stains. Laser therapy is great against shallow birthmarks, but may not work on a deeper hemangioma.
  • Surgical Procedure. If all other techniques have failed you so far, going under the knife might be your best and only remaining option. Surgery is a practical solution if the birthmark is located on an internal organ and hindering your ability to function daily. Although the operation would leave a scar, it should be a big improvement over your previous skin blemish.
  • Alternative Methods. Cryosurgery and electrodesiccation are two of the latest technologies in skin treatment. With cryotherapy, vascular marks are frozen by spraying a freezing agent onto the skin. When the wounds heal, the skin problem gradually disappears. On the other hand, electrodesiccation uses an electric needle to treat the affected area.
Everybody has a birthmark or two. They are your body’s natural tattoos. Although it isn’t the loveliest thing on your body, a birthmark is part of who you are and there is nothing to be ashamed about it. If Richard Gere, Tina Turner, Elvis Presley and Mikhail Gorbachev managed to deal with their birthmarks the natural way, you can too. The good news is that a birthmark is like an appendix – it doesn’t have much use so you can still live a normal life without it. If you enjoy reading this article, you'll surely enjoy reading how to get rid of blemishes.
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  1. February 8th, 2012 at 11:17 am    Vanessa Says:

    I have a really black birthmark about a size of a pin on my left eyebrow I don’t like it the only thing I do to cover it up is my bangs but still people see so I sometimes put cover up on it but u can still tell Im hiding something but I guess I have to live with it till I’m 18…..

  2. December 4th, 2011 at 12:54 pm    Erika Says:

    For you people who have birthmarks on your arms, legs, stomach, I’m sorry but that isn’t so bad :/. you can cover those parts of your body with clothes! I have one on the right side of my face. It’s red and in patches. You can’t exactly cover your face with a hat can you(LOL)? I went to the doctors a couple of days back and he said he’ll go and research it but I’m pretty sure they can’t do anything about it because it’s near my eye. Being nearly 14 I’m beginning to be incredibly self conscious about it so I told my mum who made an appointment with the doctors. I ordered some special make-up called ‘cover mark’ and it’s a lot better than regular make-up. They have different skin tone shades too. Good luck to everyone who has a birthmark.. i guess ? :’]
    - erika.

  3. November 11th, 2011 at 9:25 pm    Kevin Durant Says:

    I have a huge birthmark on the right side of my face, which cannot be covered up. I wish i had it on my leg, or knee.. I mean on the right side of the face??!?!? Out of all fckin places. I have a surgery date in a few days to remove it.. i dont know if i should do it or not though……….

  4. October 9th, 2011 at 2:18 pm    Charlotte Says:

    I have a very large, very dark brown birthmark on my knee. Ever since I was 10 I have been constantly bullied over it, whether it’s by snide remarks or general piss taking, even now, at 17, I still get bullied. I actually feel ashamed because of it. In hot weather, I find myself being unable to wear skirts or shorts. It’s even the case now that say if I am wearing a skirt at home in the comfort of my own family, I will cross my leg with my “normal” leg crossing over my birthmark. I actually hate and despise myself for having it. I get jealous of other people for not having a birthmark, or not having one so distinctive. I sit and cry because of it and it wrecks the majority of my relationships. It’s the cause for my extreme lack of self confidence. I want it gone, so bad, but because it’s on my knee they’ve said they wouldn’t be able to do anything (as the knee is constantly moving about and so keeping it immobile to heal would be difficult).

    I’m sure a lot of you agree – people can say ‘Oh I don’t know why it bothers you so much’, and they just don’t understand that they seriously would not be saying that if THEY were the one with the birthmark.

  5. July 8th, 2011 at 12:16 am    Jmv Says:

    I have this huge birthmark on my left arm and it’s like an inch wide and also have a small mole in my eye as well IT’S SO FRICKEN EMBARRASING TT.TT and I also hav one on my chin :Y

  6. April 14th, 2011 at 5:27 pm    Mariah Says:

    I have a really huge birthmark on my leg. It is brown and long. Everytime I go out into gym we have to dress out or we get an F. So when i wear shorts, my birthmark shows. EVERYONE makes fun of me for it. Totally embarrasing.

  7. March 30th, 2011 at 1:59 pm    jim Says:

    Use olive oil. get one cotton bud and dip it in olive oil. rub on the birth mark for 5 mins and do this everyday for 6 weeks. praying to god it should work! if not **** me.

  8. March 28th, 2011 at 4:22 pm    Jennifer Says:

    I have a Fade-Brown birthmark on my “behind” and it is big! I can’t
    Wear bikini just shorts that go up to my upper thigh…. I really wish
    It would go away because if I want to have sex with my boyfriend then
    He might not like me. It’s terrible! HELP please!!!

  9. March 13th, 2011 at 6:59 pm    Lauren Says:

    I have a big brown birthmark on my knee so I can’t really wear shorts without being embarrassed and I wanna get rid of it without spending money to go to a doctor is there anyway without laser/surgery??

  10. February 26th, 2011 at 8:31 am    Lyssa Says:

    Hey guys! I have the salmon patch on the right side of my face…on my chest..behind…and on the left side of my leg…I HATE wearing shorts because of my leg, I’m afraid people will judge. I wear low cut shirts and people always ask me why I have a rash on my chest. I just lie and say its because I dont feel good or its really hot in the room. Fortunately the guys I’ve dated havent really cared at all about it. They still find me pretty. I am not confident, I try to be. You just have to not care about it with your partner…be open about it.

    I used BIO-OIL and it fades it but you have to keep applying and its so oily and gross. DONT go tanning and stay away from the sun because it makes it darker. But when I’m tan you can hardly see it so I guess it depends on the person.

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