At the Dermatology and Cosmetic Laser Center of Huntington, we provide treatment for a variety of vascular lesions. Dr. Koreen is an experienced dermatologist skilled in various laser devices who has helped numerous patients address concerns such as birthmarks.
Port wine stains are a type of vascular birthmark named for their deep red color. This type of birthmark is formed of deep and superficial dilated capillaries, affecting only about every 3 in 1,000 people. Port wine stains are typically present at birth, but may also occur in childhood. Birthmarks may be small or may cover a large portion of skin. Because they normally appear on the face, port wine stains can cause a great deal of emotional distress.
When port wine stains first develop, they tend to be pink, flat patches of skin. As the child grows, this birthmark will likely change in color from pink to a dark purple or red hue. Early diagnosis and treatment of the port wine stain vascular birthmark can ease the emotional effects of this condition. The older a birthmark is, the more difficult it may be to treat.
Port Wine Stains treatments at Dermatology & Cosmetic Laser Center
What are Port Wine Stains?
Port Wine Stains are usually present at birth or can appear soon after birth. They start as flat areas of a purple-red to purple discoloration and are layers upon layers of blood vessels.
What would happen if you don’t treat them?
Port Wine Stains thicken if left untreated. As they get older, they become nodular, basically bumps of blood vessels.
How does the treatment work?
The treatment is vascular lasers. The sooner you start, the effective the lasers are because the areas are thinner.
We usually take multiple treatments. Sometimes you can’t fully get rid of one but can reduce it, keep it flat, and not too red.
On some occasions, port wine stains may be a part of a syndrome such as Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome or Sturge-Weber syndrome.
Fortunately, there are dermatologic treatments for port wine stains and other vascular lesions. Advances in technology now allow dermatologists to reduce the appearance of these birthmarks using laser light. Typically, a pulse dye laser is used to target the vessels within a port wine stain. The laser energy is absorbed into the pigment, breaking it up and leading to normalization in skin tone and texture. Multiple treatments and, sometimes, multiple types of lasers, are required to achieve optimal results.
Port wine stains and other vascular lesions can be disfiguring at worst, embarrassing at best. We can design a treatment program that is just right for you. Contact us (631) 417-3300 for your consultation.