Can you bleach birthmarks

Strawberry marks are raised, mole-like, pink, red or purple birthmarks. They get their name because of their texture and colour. They usually disappear by the time the child reaches the age of seven, but will first become bigger before they shrink and eventually fade away completely.

Some strawberry marks may require treatment; speak to a GP if you are concerned. Like most birthmarks, they are harmless, but if a child has more than six of these marks before they reach the age of five years old, it might be a symptom of a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis. Speak to your GP if you are concerned.

Mongolian spots are a bluish grey in colour, a bit like a bruise. They are most common in babies with darker skin tones and are usually found on the back or buttocks. These coloured marks usually disappear with time, usually before the child turns four. Congenital moles also referred to as congenital melanocytic naevi, are large black or brown marks which are present from birth. They are caused by clusters of melanin beneath the surface of the skin and are quite common.

They can become raised or hairy with time and may change colour during hormonal changes, such as during puberty. If you are concerned that your congenital moles have changed shape or colour, consult a dermatologist or your GP.

Most birthmarks are not harmful and do not require treatment for health reasons. However, some people may find they have an impact on their self-esteem, so might choose to have them removed for aesthetic reasons. Contact your GP for further advice if you are concerned about your birthmark. Most types of birthmarks can be removed with laser treatments. The laser used depends upon the type and colour of the birthmark being removed. In some rare cases and depending on the size, surgical excision might be necessary to remove a birthmark.

Only if it is affecting your health. If you want a birthmark removed for cosmetic reasons, you are unlikely to be able to do this on the NHS and will probably have to pay for it to be removed privately. Birthmarks can be safely and effectively removed using a special type of laser. You may need several treatment sessions in order to remove the birthmark completely and results can vary from person to person. Your practitioner will be able to assess your birthmark to ensure the correct type of laser and the right number of treatments is used to remove it.

This, despite years of bullying in school and being told to Photoshop her photos by casting agents. Whether you opt to remove or embrace it as part of your identity, a birthmark can still be misunderstood in this day and age. For one, painting the walls while pregnant will not create babies with birthmarks. Contrary to popular belief, there is nothing that pregnant women can do to prevent birthmarks on their babies, said Dr Kelvin Chua from SL Clinic. While there is no one ethnic group in Singapore that is more susceptible to birthmarks, Dr Chua said that Mongolian spots tend to occur more amongst Asians than Caucasians.

Vascular birthmarks also tend to appear more on the face and neck regions, he added. That can be attributed to these being the two most common birthmarks here in Asia," he said. But whether they are moles or a brown patch, birthmarks can be categorised as either vascular or pigmented. They can appear in children during pregnancy or shortly after birth," said Dr Chua.

Here, he lists the common types of vascular birthmarks and ranks them in order of ease of treatment, from the easiest to the most difficult:. Flat, and pinkish or red in colour, the patch typically does not have a definitive border.

Salmon patches are commonly found at the nape of the neck, forehead or on the eyelids. Some are not immediately apparent and only become noticeable in a change of temperature or when a child starts crying, said Dr Chua. A flat patch of purple or dark red skin, it is often large, and usually has well-defined borders. A port-wine stain typically appears on one side of the face or neck, and is common amongst newborns, said Dr Chua.

It is a raised, bright red spot that sits on the skin, and is normally soft and compressible to touch.

It is sometimes called strawberry haemangioma as it looks like the fruit. These deep versions can look bluish-purple and make the skin swell and bulge. If you had either version as a baby, it is probably shrunk and flattened by age 10, said the association.

According to Dr Chua, haemangiomas typically appear on the face, scalp, chest or back. For instance, haemangiomas may ulcerate and cause bleeding at the site or lead to breathing problems if they are found near the mouth or neck, said Dr Tan. If a haemangioma is located near the eye, visual issues may arise. These present-at-birth skin spots are marked by pigment in the skin tissue. Dr Chua ranks these common pigmented birthmarks in order of ease of treatment:.

This flat birthmark looks like a bruise and is typically found in colours ranging from blue to grey. It can be spotted on babies' backs or bottoms. Moles are usually small, round brown spots that are no bigger than the size of a pencil eraser, according to the AADA.

They can be pink, skin-coloured or black. Anyone can be a good candidate for birthmark removal, but your doctor will help you decide what treatment option is right for you based on the type of birthmark , including:. Vascular birthmarks, like hemangiomas, may require that you take a certain medication, which is likely covered by your insurance. Shaving or surgery physically removes the birthmark, whereas lasers shrink blood vessels to make vascular birthmarks less visible.

Medication is also used to shrink certain birthmarks, like some hemangiomas. Birthmarks on your face, scalp, and neck are commonly removed because they are in highly noticeable spots on your body. There are some side effects associated with birthmark removal. If surgery or shaving has been done, look for symptoms of infection including:. In rare cases, medication taken to reduce birthmarks can cause side effects including:.

It can be helpful to see before and pictures from real patients when deciding whether or not to get a birthmark removed. Home remedies will not be able to remove or lessen the appearance of a birthmark, and could actually be harmful.

These can include:. The six common types of birthmarks usually do not pose any serious complications to people, but some may be signs of an underlying condition and some…. Birthmarks are very common, and there are different types. Strawberry nevus is a fancy name for a red birthmark.

Port-wine stains are pink or purple birthmarks.