WHAT ARE PORT WINE STAINS?
Port wine stains, also called nevus flammeus, are maroon-colored birthmarks most commonly found on the face, neck, scalp, arms and legs. About three out of 1,000 children are born with port wine stains that are pinkish in tint then darken and grow in proportion as children grow.
People are not usually bothered by their port wine stains when they’re young since the marks are part of who they are. But as they age, they may become much more self-conscious and even embarrassed about them, so they will look into having them removed.
CAUSE OF PORT WINE STAINS
Port-wine stains appear in an area of the skin that does not have sufficient or any nerve fibers to help keep blood vessels narrow. Because of this, small blood vessels expand and allow a greater amount of blood to flow into the blood vessels which causes a “stain” to form under the skin.
HOW DO YOU TREAT PORT WINE STAINS?
To treat port wine stains, we use a pulse dye laser treatment that destroys the blood vessels that cause the discoloration on the skin to greatly diminish the stain.
CAN CHILDREN RECEIVE LASER TREATMENT FOR PORT WINE STAINS?
Yes, children are good candidates for laser treatment for port wine stains. In fact, it is best to treat port wine stains with a pulse dye laser as young as possible since the blood vessels are smaller and easier to treat.
IS LASER TREATMENT TO REMOVE PORT WINE STAINS PAINFUL?
Children and young adolescents may have some discomfort from the sensation of the laser–more than adults– so we use a local or topical anesthetic to alleviate discomfort from the laser treatment.
ANY RECOVERY INVOLVED AFTER PORT WINE STAINS?
The actual amount of recovery time varies with each patient. We highly recommend rest and a lower activity level following laser treatments on children.
DOES PORT WINE STAIN TREATMENT REQUIRE MORE THAN ONE LASER TREATMENT?
Most patients require more than one laser treatment to achieve optimal results. Following your initial consultation, we can evaluate your skin and have a better idea as to how many treatments you will require.
WHAT IS THE COST OF PORT WINE STAIN TREATMENTS IN BOCA RATON & FORT LAUDERDALE AND WEST PALM BEACH, FL?
The cost for treating port wine stains depends on the extent of the procedure as each patient is different and has varying degrees of this skin condition. We are also happy to talk to you about your financing options for affordable payments.
HOW DO I BEGIN TREATMENT TO REMOVE MY PORT WINE STAIN?
We will evaluate your condition during a private consultation and discuss the best course of action to treat your port wine stain. Please call our office to set up an appointment.
Skin Discoloration Treatments Available:
- Melasma Treatment
- Vitiligo Treatment
- Rosacea
- Vascular Lesion Removal
- Impetigo
The physicians and staff at Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center in Boca Raton & Fort Lauderdale provide personalized care for all our Cosmetic Laser Dermatology patients. We use the most advanced technologies in dermatology to help our patients maintain optimum skin health and restore self-confidence by revitalizing their appearance. To receive more information or schedule a consultation, give us a call at 561.886.0970 to speak with our friendly staff or click the button below.