Reduce the Appearance of Red Birthmarks in New Jersey
Port wine stains are a type of birthmark caused by an abnormal formation of tiny blood vessels in the skin. Also known as capillary malformations or nevus flammeus, these marks typically appear as red or purple discolorations and can be present at birth. While port wine stains can appear anywhere on the body, they are most commonly found on the face, neck, scalp, arms, or legs. Over time, the color may darken and the texture may thicken.
Port wine stains occur due to the abnormal development of blood vessels in the skin. These lesions are present at birth and do not fade over time. Some key points about port wine stains include:
Appearance: Smooth and pink at birth, often darkening to red or purple over time
Size & location: Can be small and localized or cover large areas, often affecting the face
Progression: Texture may thicken with age if untreated
Impact: While harmless physically, port wine stains can cause cosmetic concerns or emotional distress
Port wine stains are not associated with any systemic health problems, but many patients seek treatment for aesthetic reasons or to improve their quality of life.
Patients often consider treatment when port wine stains:
Are in highly visible areas, such as the face or hands
Darken or thicken over time
Cause emotional or social discomfort
Interfere with confidence and self-esteem
Early treatment is usually recommended to achieve the best results, as younger skin often responds better to laser therapy.
Our team offers safe and effective laser treatments to reduce the appearance of port wine stains. Treatment highlights include:
Targeted laser therapy: Focused on abnormal blood vessels to minimize redness
Multiple sessions: Depending on the size, depth, and location of the stain
Minimal downtime: Treatments are noninvasive with quick recovery
Customized care: Each plan is tailored to the patient’s skin type, age, and goals
Many patients report a 75–100% improvement in appearance following treatment, leading to enhanced confidence and satisfaction.
Learn More About Port Wine Stains
For patients and parents of patients pursuing reduction of port-wine stains, Skin & Laser Center of NJ uses a pulsed dye laser called Vbeam® Perfecta. Treatments can happen at any age, but the younger the patient, the easier and more effective the treatment is considered to be. Treatment can begin for patients as young as six months old, but if you’re not certain whether or when to begin treatment for your child, you should consult with one of our providers to discuss your concerns and decide when and whether treatment is the best choice. Extensive studies have concluded that laser treatment for port-wine stains in infants is both safe and effective.
During treatment with Vbeam® Perfecta, the patient will be given goggles to protect their eyes from laser light. A topical anesthetic cream or gel may be applied to minimize the sensation of the laser, though younger patients may require general anesthesia. Your provider will discuss the best choice for you at your initial appointment.
For the treatment itself, the laser is moved over the birthmark, and the patient may experience a hot or cold sensation, like the snapping of a rubber band. The entire process typically takes less than half an hour. After a port-wine stain laser treatment, the treated skin will likely be discolored and bruised, but these effects are temporary and should resolve within a few days to two weeks.
Most patients require eight to 10 treatments to achieve the full effects of the laser treatment, depending on the location and size of the birthmark and age of the patient. It’s rare for treatment to completely erase the appearance of a port-wine stain, but it’s common for patients to see an improvement of 75 percent or better following multiple laser treatments.
Your provider will give you aftercare instructions to ensure the treated area heals as quickly as possible.
In addition to treatments for port-wine stains, we offer solutions for other pigmentation and vascular issues, including broken blood vessels, facial redness, melasma, vitiligo, and brown spots.
Convenient walk in hours available below. No appointment needed! Accepting private insurance and medicare. No medicaid plans.
Learn more about medical treatments at New Jersey’s Skin & Laser Center of NJ. Call 201-500-7525 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.