Brown Birthmarks
What is it?
Café au lait birthmarks, Congenital Nevus, Nevus of Ota are examples of birthmarks that may be present at birth or appear later in life. These appear light brown, to dark brown or blue, and are the result of a dense network of melanin pigment in the skin.
Lifestyle Factors
Brown colored birthmarks can typically turn darker in the sun
Skincare Adjuncts
Sun protection is important so brown birthmarks do not appear darker, it also prevents the background skin from tanning, which is a contraindication for most laser treatments
Treatment Options
| Treatment Option | Key Benefit | Average Number of Treatments | Amount of Downtime | Comfort Measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q-switched Ruby or Q-Sw 1064 laser (safer for darker skin types) | Progressively fades brown pigmented birthmarks. Well suited for fair skin types | Nevus of Ota: 1-3 Congenital Nevus: 5-8 sessions, or more | 3-7 days of redness, swelling, some superficial crusting possible | Topical anesthetic cream advised |