Conveniently located to serve Kelowna, BC.
Treatment Options
Birthmark Removal
Feel more confident by lightening or removing your birthmark.
Conveniently located to serve Kelowna, BC.
Feel more confident by lightening or removing your birthmark.
Just like skin, results may vary. These pictures (of our awesome, real-life clients!) help you see what is possible and set a realistic expectation.
We’d love to get to know you, learn more about your goals, and see what treatment options would suit you best.
Birthmarks are not usually serious enough to require removal, but for some patients they are in unwanted areas and removal or lightening is possible with very special lasers.
Birthmarks are usually pigmented (brown) or vascular (red) in nature, and are thus treated with lasers that target these colours in the skin.
Anyone can benefit from lightening or removing their birthmark. Multiple treatments are usually recommended for most patients.
Quite simply, a birthmark is called a birthmark because you are born with it. A baby will develop the birthmark either right before they are born or immediately after they are born. Either way, same result. This skin condition will have been present since birth.
The main thing to note about birthmarks is that in most cases there is nothing to worry about as they are not a sign of disease or illness, and they don’t actually hurt. Should you have any concerns, however, it’s always a good idea to visit your dermatologist who can determine what is going on with your birthmarks.
Some birthmarks can be treated or removed with laser surgery to diminish the appearance or prominence of the birthmarks. Dr. Crippen and the DermMedica team offer different types of laser treatments to help with different types of birthmarks. Contact the clinic to book a consultation.
PROCEDURE TIME: 15-30 minutes
RECOVERY TIME: 1-2 weeks of discolouration/healing
LASTS: Permanent in most cases
TECHNIQUE: Laser treatment
PAIN LEVEL: None to moderate depending on treatment
ANESTHESIA: Sometimes recommended
Don’t worry, we won’t ask you to say that 10 times fast (although you should try). A hemangioma is the most common type of birthmark, and is defined by a lot of small blood vessels in one particular area that have grown in a particular part of the skin (anywhere on the body, arms, legs, neck, torso, face, etc.). Because these types of birthmarks are caused by blood vessels, they are characterized by a red or purplish colour.
Strawberry, or superficial, hemangiomas are named after the fruit because of their bright red colour that sticks out of the skin, and is sometimes shaped like a strawberry. These types of birthmarks sometimes disappear by the time a child turns 5, and most will be gone before they turn 10.
A deep birthmark can be found beneath the outer layer of skin, and is therefore sometimes called cavernous. They are characterized by a more bluish-red colour and are more swollen (or puffy) than the other types of birthmarks.
One of the sweetest types of birthmarks, are known as angel kisses. These, too, are hemangiomas, however what makes them particularly special is their location. They are typically found in between the eyebrows, hence the name. You’ll notice that these birthmarks are formed because of wider blood vessels and they eventually disappear with age.
These types of birthmarks are flush with the skin, and have a maroon or dark red colour to them because of the wider blood vessels causing these marks. They were named because of the colour of the marks, which is similar to the wine. You’ll find these types of birthmarks around the neck or on the face.
If your spots are blue, black or brown in colour then it’s like a mole and not a birthmark. Moles are equally non-threatening (in most cases) and are simply a bunch of pigment cells that have grouped together. Moles are also called beauty marks or beauty spots. Remember what your mom used to say when you were little? The more beauty marks you have the prettier (or more handsome) you are! If Mom was wrong, our mole removal procedure can help with that.
3477 Lakeshore Rd #200, Kelowna, BC V1W 0A7, Canada