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What are birthmarks? -

Birthmarks, also known as vascular anomalies, are small growths or lesions on the skin. They can occur pretty much anywhere on the body, including the face and scalp, and can be any size, shape, or color. Some birthmarks are permanent and may even get larger over time, while others fade away.

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Better safe than sorry -

Most birthmarks are completely harmless. However, some can indicate an underlying medical condition, and, in even rarer cases, they can be cancerous. It’s important to monitor any anomalies on your skin.

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What causes birthmarks? -

There’s an old myth that a birthmark is related to an unmet food craving experienced by the mother while pregnant. Obviously this theory doesn’t hold up under the scrutiny of modern medicine. Birthmarks have nothing to do with the mother’s actions while pregnant.

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Genetics -

In fact, the underlying cause for these vascular anomalies is unknown. But sometimes a particular birthmark can be hereditary and passed down to different family members.

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Gene mutations -

Some birthmarks are caused by gene mutations. For example, the common port-wine stain birthmark is sometimes caused by a rare genetic mutation called Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome.

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Can they appear later in life? -

Birthmarks generally appear at birth, but in some very rare cases they can occur later in childhood. Most of the anomalies that develop on the skin after birth aren’t classified as birthmarks though.

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Pigmented birthmarks -

Birthmarks can generally be divided into two categories; pigmented or vascular. Pigmented birthmarks appear when too many pigment cells develop in one area. Pigment cells are what give our skin its natural color, so an excess of pigment cells in one area can change the color of the skin.

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Vascular birthmarks -

Vascular birthmarks occur when there is an abnormality with the blood vessels under the skin in a particular spot. For example, there may be too many clustered together, or they may be wider than usual.

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Types of pigmented birthmarks -

Let’s take a look at the various types of pigmented birthmarks that can often occur on the human body.

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Moles -

Moles (also known as congenital nevi) can be either flat or raised on the skin, and range in color from pink to brown to black. They vary in size and can appear anywhere on the body. Moles can disappear with age or last for a lifetime. But a change in a mole’s appearance is sometimes a sign of skin cancer.

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Café au lait spots -

These birthmarks are usually irregularly shaped patches of skin that are slightly darker than the rest of your skin tone. They are called café au lait after the phrase “coffee with milk” in French. The darker your skin tone, the darker the spot will be.

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Café au lait spots -

These spots can develop on the skin at any time from birth through early childhood. They often fade away over time. Some children have multiple café au lait spots. This isn’t necessarily a problem, but in some cases many spots can indicate a genetic illness like neurofibromatosis.

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Mongolian spots -

Mongolian spots are flat, bluish-gray spots that are often mistaken for bruises. They tend to occur in people with darker skin tones and aren’t dangerous. They commonly appear on the lower back or bottom and fade away with age.

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Types of vascular birthmarks -

Now let’s move on to vascular birthmarks. These blood cell clusters can be found on around 40% of newborn babies and often fade with age.

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Salmon patches -

These small patches of pink or red skin often appear between the eyes, on the eyelids, or the back of the neck. They’re also known as stork bites and angel kisses. They often fade and don’t require medical removal.

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Hemangiomas -

Hemangiomas usually appear on the head or the extremities and can change size and shape during the first couple of years of the baby’s life. They may be pink, blue, or bright red, and can be elevated or flat. They often fade away by the time the child reaches adolescence.

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Port-wine stains -

Port-wine stains, named as such because they often resemble a dark wine stain, are caused by the abnormal formation of blood vessels under the skin. This results in a patch of skin that often starts out pink or red, and gradually becomes a deeper shade of red or purple. They most often occur on the face or neck.

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Port-wine stains -

Unlike other vascular birthmarks, port-wine stains don’t usually fade over time. The skin may become itchy and develop a bumpy texture if left untreated.

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Removing birthmarks: a personal choice -

The removal of a birthmark is usually unnecessary in terms of health. They are most often harmless and pose no future risk. However, some people choose to remove them for aesthetic reasons.

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Sometimes it's necessary -

That being said, certain types of birthmarks such as hemangiomas or moles can increase the risk of developing skin cancer or other illnesses. They should be checked regularly by a dermatologist, and may need to be removed.

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Laser therapy -

Laser therapy is one of the most effective forms of removal. Highly concentrated beams of light are pulsed over the skin and can either reduce the appearance or completely remove birthmarks like the port-wine stain.

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Laser therapy -

This method is most effective when it’s started in infancy but it can be uncomfortable and may require a local anesthetic. Several sessions are usually necessary.

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Beta-blockers -

Beta-blockers are a type of oral medication used to treat high blood pressure, but they can also reduce the appearance of hemangiomas.

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Surgery -

Some birthmarks like deep hemangiomas or moles can be surgically removed with good results. It’s usually an outpatient procedure performed in a dermatologist's office rather than a hospital.

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To remove or not to remove? -

Removal is a valid option, but it’s worth considering that these unique little markings sometimes add to our natural beauty by defining us from others. Click on to see the famous faces who embrace their birthmarks.

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Angelina Jolie -

Birthmarks and beauty marks are often one and the same, and Angelina Jolie is proof! The stunning actress has two small birthmarks on her face that only add to her timeless beauty.

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Tina Turner -

Tina Turner has a port-wine stain birthmark on her right arm, which is frequently visible. The Queen of Rock 'n' Roll has sometimes covered it with makeup for performances or photoshoots, but often proudly wears sleeveless outfits.

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Gigi Hadid - Gigi Hadid has birthmarks and moles scattered across her torso, although you might not know this because they're so often photoshopped out by magazines. However, she often shares unfiltered selfies of herself in a bikini proudly showing off her natural beauty. In 2017, she appeared on the cover of Vogue without her moles uncovered in a photoshoot that was widely praised.

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Gina Rodriguez -

Gina Rodriguez has a small heart-shaped birthmark on her thigh. She has always been vocally body positive and has spoken out about magazines trying to edit them out after a photo shoot. “This day and age of Photoshopping and transforming oneself and filtering and filtering and filtering, it really feels good when a photo can capture my heart, my body, my spirit, without having to gloss over it,” she told Women's health in 2016. “Let me keep my curves, my birthmark. I want to look like myself.”

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Billy Corgan -

Billy Corgan, lead singer of the Smashing Pumpkins, has an extensive port-wine stain birthmark covering his left hand and arm. While he usually wears long sleeves, he once did a photoshoot highlighting the unusual patterns on his skin. His first band was called The Marked because both he and the drummer had similar birthmarks.

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Eva Mendes -

Eva Mendes' facial birthmark is so iconic that it even has its own dedicated Twitter page (@EvaMendesMole). Widely considered one of the sexiest women alive, Mendes really rocks her natural features.

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Mikhail Gorbachev - Mikhail Gorbachev was the final leader of the Soviet Union before it was dissolved, and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1990 for his role in negotiating peace and ending the Cold War. He was often recognized by the distinctive port-wine stain on his head.

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Drew Brees -

Former NFL quarterback Drew Brees has a small red mark in his right cheek, which many assumed was a scar. However, it's actually a birthmark. Brees has been open about suffering bullying as a child and constantly being told to "wipe it off." In fact, even Oprah Winfrey once mistook it for a lipstick mark and tried to wipe it off!

Sources: (Healthline) (InStyle) (People)

See also: Celebrities open up about their scars

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