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| English: birthmark commonly known as "stork bite" or "angels kiss" Deutsch: sogenannter "Storchenbiss"; Geburtsmahl im Nacken eines wenige Tage alten Babys (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
I was delighted to read “Don’t let the brown get you down”, an article about birthmarks in Today early this year.
My 10-year-old daughter has a brownish, coffee-cream birthmark about the size of a 50-cent coin on her face. The birthmark is getting more noticeable and people are starting to be curious about it.
I consulted a dermatologist last year and he suggested that my daughter wait for a sharper contrast between the colour of the birthmark and the surrounding skin before undergoing laser treatment. However, I’d like to find out if it’s possible to get rid of the birthmark before it bothers her further. Can the prescription cream Tri-Luma be used on the birthmark and is there any technology — IPL, laser treatment — that can remove the birthmark?
REPLY BY DR DERRICK AW
Dermatologist, University Medicine Cluster,
National University Hospital
I suspect your daughter may have a café-au-lait spot and am afraid that Tri-Luma is not the appropriate treatment for it.
Tri-Luma is more suitable for certain acquired conditions than hereditary conditions such as birthmarks.
Tri-Luma also contains a medium-strength steroid , which may not be suitable for a child as it may cause the skin to thin. Already, a child’s facial skin tends to be thinner than that of an adult.
The cream also contains a retinoid that will cause redness, dryness and irritation to a child’s face.
From my knowledge, QS ND: YAG laser treatment — a type of pigment laser — is the only treatment in Singapore for café-au-lait spots.
The treatment may require several sessions, separated by at least two months’ interval. Your daughter may need about 5 to 10 sessions. The treatment aims for a 60 to 80 per cent reduction in pigmentation.
The risks of laser treatment for café-au- lait spots are pigmentation (darkening), as well as recurrence and persistence of pigmentation.
The information provided above is for your general knowledge only. You should seek medical advice or treatment for your condition. Email questions to health@newstoday.com.sg.
From TODAY, Health – Tuesday, 28-April-2009
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