Birthmark Surgery

Serving Albany, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, and Troy, New York

Saratoga Springs Birthmark Surgery Patient: After

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Vascular birthmarks represent a broad spectrum of distinct clinical entities that are often confused by even experienced practitioners. Proper identification is important because the natural history of these lesions and treatment recommendations vary according to the diagnosis. Hemangiomas and port wine stains are two common vascular abnormalities that we frequently encounter. Hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors of infancy that have a characteristic red color and raised appearance when located superficially in the skin, but can also appear darker blue and feel rather doughy when located in a deeper plane. They are characterized by rapid growth during the first year of life and then undergo slow involution over the next several years.

Traditionally, the treatment of hemagiomas has consisted of watchful waiting. However, this is not always in the best interest of the patient as massive hemangiomas can distort otherwise normal tissue, and when they do finally involute, the residual scar tissue can be disfiguring. Port wine stains, in contrast, represent an abnormality in the formation of tiny blood vessels (capillaries) in the skin that are present since birth. These malformations are red, flat patches that present on the forehead, cheeks or neck. They mature with age but do not undergo rapid proliferation like hemangiomas. Over the course of an individual's life, they go through a predictable maturation process characterized by darkening, thickening, nodular formation and eventually distortion of skin structures. These vascular conditions can be extremely disfiguring and stigmatizing. Many individuals do not appreciate that there is help for these conditions in the form of laser treatments and surgical excisions that can halt their progression in a rather dramatic way.

If you want to learn more about what The Center for Facial Plastic Surgery and Laser Skin Care of Albany, New York can offer you, please take a look at our website and contact our birthmark surgery center today to schedule a consultation.