For some men and women, the appearance of a pigmented birthmark may be unsightly. AT Bella Plastic Surgery we use laser as a treatment method to remove pigmented birthmarks.
The displayed before and after pictures are provided as an educational tool to demonstrate some of the results achievable from plastic surgery. All surgeries are performed by Dr Eddy Dona and are published with the written consent of the patients.
Initial consultations for non-surgical procedures are conducted by our experienced Bella Plastic Surgery cosmetic nurses, who work alongside Dr Eddy Dona to deliver safe, evidence-based, and AHPRA-compliant care.
Birthmark marks can appear anywhere on the body, including the face and scalp. They are usually harmless, but some may need medical attention if they change shape or colour. Birthmarks vary in size from a few millimetres to several centimetres across, and they can be either present at birth or develop during infancy. In some cases, birthmarks may fade with age while others remain unchanged throughout life. Birthmarks exhibit a range of colours including brown, tan, black, pale blue, red or purple and can be flat or raised.
Whilst most pigmented birthmarks are benign (non-cancerous), some pigmented birthmarks can develop into skin cancer. Having your pigmented birthmark checked by your practitioner trained in skin cancer detection is essential. When the pigmented birthmark is removed by laser treatment, the birthmark is disintegrated, meaning that the birthmark cannot be sent to pathology for testing. Having your pigmented birthmark assessed for skin cancer, is a mandatory requirement, prior to having treatment at Bella Plastic Surgery
Prior to treatment the area to be treated will be cleansed and a set of clinical photos will be taken. The pigmented birthmark will then be removed within a few minutes with our advanced laser device.
Patients will seek Laser Pigmented Birthmark removal to avoid the downtime and scarring that is commonly associated with the surgical removal of a birthmark. Laser Birthmark removal does not involve cutting the skin, and therefore, there is no need for sutures, dressing or any other coverings following treatment – the wound is treated as a ‘dry’ wound.
Facial skin typically heals well however, some areas of the body to not heal as well. While some minor scarring can occur after Laser Pigmented Birthmark removal, the treated area will usually appear as a pale white colour, one shade lighter than one’s skin colour and no larger than the birthmark itself. With that said, there is always a risk of the treated are scarring poorly – refer to the risks under ‘Potential Risks’. located below.
While the pigmented birthmark removal procedure takes only minutes, we do schedule at least 30 minutes for your appointment to allow time for you to complete a Patient Registration Form, receive a consultation and discuss the procedure and post-care instructions.
Our laser technology facilitates the removal of a pigmented birthmark immediately at the time of treatment. In rare cases where there is pigment that lays deep under the skin, a subsequent treatment may be required.
Topical and/or local anaesthetic will be administered prior to your treatment to ensure you are comfortable and experience very little to no pain.
Following your Laser Pigmented Birthmark Treatment, there will be some redness, slight swelling and yellow oozing around the treated area(s) for up to two weeks following your treatment. In addition, a temporary scab will form; this is a natural part of the healing process.
The scab will usually fall off within 14 days, and it is essential to avoid touching or scratching the scab off the treated area. Scratching or picking at the scab can cause inflammation, making any scarring more prominent.
After the scab has fallen off, the treated area will appear red due to new capillary formation. Any redness around the treatment area will usually dissipate in a matter of months following treatment.
Cost depends on the area treated, product or device used, and the number of sessions required to reach the desired result. Our cosmetic nurses will provide a tailored quote during your consultation.
Even though you have had your birthmark assessed as being benign (cancer free) by your skin cancer practitioner, there is still a risk of skin cancer being present within your birthmark, at the time of laser treatment. The laser ablates (burns) away the birthmark, meaning that nothing is available to be sent away for pathology for further testing, so you need to be aware that pathology testing is not possible with this treatment. Although the potential risks are extremely uncommon, one or more of the following may occur:
Speak with our cosmetic nurses about your suitability, the treatment options, what to expect and pricing. Our friendly team will call you back to discuss the treatment and schedule your appointment.