What Are Port Wine Stains, Why Do They Occur?
Many people are born with some type of birthmark. Some are inconspicuous and cause no problems while others may be unsightly and in a conspicuous place such as the face or hands. One type of birthmark, that is red in color, is called a “ port wine stain .” These birthmarks appear at birth and are reddish in color and caused by an over-abundance of blood vessels in that area. Port wine stains can vary in color from pale pink to a very dark purple and are most often found on the face, neck, top of shoulder, and chest. Though these are the most common places we find port wine stains, they can occur elsewhere on the body.
Paul M. Friedman, M.D. utilizes state-of-the-art technology to treat skin conditions such as port wine stains. He and his team will give you a thorough examination and then decide which treatment option is best for your individual needs.
Effective Port Wine Stain Treatments
One such treatment is the Vbeam® Laser; this laser was designed specifically for the treatment of port wine stains. The Vbeam® Laser is able to penetrate deep into the skin, selectively targeting blood vessels. The laser emits light which is selectively absorbed by blood vessels, heating them and causing them to collapse. To treat port wine stains, several laser treatments are typically required. Since this type of birthmark may recur, some type of maintenance program may be necessary.
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