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Most commonly asked Questions and Answers you might want to know about Birthmarks:
- Why should I have my birthmarks treated?
- How safe is the laser treatment?
- What does treatment by the flashlamp pulse dye laser machine consist of?
- What happens after treatment?
At the Joyce Lim Clinic, we offer different types of treatment for our patients.
Many people are uncomfortable with unsightly birthmarks. Young children or infants can be treated before they are subject to the psychological as well as physical blemishes that may be associated with the birthmarks. Sometimes birthmarks may bleed, become infected or interfere with vision, eating or other body activity.
This treatment is safe to be used on infants as young as a few weeks old.
The treatment varies from patient to patient depending on the type of birthmark, size of the affected area, the color of the skin and the depth to which the abnormal vessels extend beneath the skin’s surface. The steps involved are:
- The doctor will test your skin reaction to the laser during your first visit to determine the most effective treatment.
- Because the laser operates at a wavelength that is potentially harmful to the eye, you will be asked to wear some form of eye protection consisting of an opaque covering or goggles.
- Treatment consists of placing a small handpiece or “wand” against the surface of the skin and activating the laser. The flashlamp pulse dye laser will strike the skin in an intermittent fashion. Each pulse feels, for a small fraction of a second, like the snapping of a small rubber band against your skin.
- Small birthmarks, like spider veins, will require only a few pulses, while others like portwine stains, will require many more. Larger birthmarks will require re-treatment, necessitating multiple patient visits.
Immediately after treatment, the lasered area will turn dark-grey. This will remain for up to two weeks until the dead blood cells are absorbed by the cells in your skin.
Occasionally, a very thin scab will form on the surface of the skin. This will fall off within two weeks.
In the first several hours after treatment, the lasered area may feel hot, like a sunburn. You may relieve this by applying a cool cloth soaked in cold water, or you can use a cloth wrapped around ice cubes or an ice pack.
For the next three to four days:
- avoid hot water for the face
- avoid hot conditions e.g. sauna, spa
- you can wash the face with tepid water but avoid soaps and rubbing or friction on the skin
- avoid or minimize sun exposure
- you may use moisturiser on the face if it is applied gently and not rubbed in
After the first four days, you may use a sunscreen if you are going outside, It is very important that you avoid excessive sun exposure for the first 3 months, Otherwise, a brownish pigmentation may occur which would take a few months to fade. |
