Mitchell J. Mandel, MD, FAAD
Dermatologist, founder · All offices
Birthmarks, hemangiomas and port-wine stains
Medically reviewed by Mitchell J. Mandel, M.D., F.A.A.D., Board-Certified Dermatologist. Last reviewed .
Birthmarks are marks on the skin that are present at birth or appear soon after. Most are harmless. Some fade on their own, some stay for life and a few should be watched or treated.
Common birthmarks
- Congenital moles: moles present at birth. Larger ones should be monitored
- Port-wine stains: flat pink, red or purple marks made of blood vessels
- Café-au-lait spots: flat, light brown patches
- Salmon patches: pink marks on the eyelids or back of the neck that often fade
- Infantile hemangiomas: raised red growths that appear in infancy and usually shrink over time
- Congenital dermal melanocytosis: blue-gray patches, common in darker skin, that usually fade in childhood
How we treat them
- Evaluation to confirm the type and whether it needs monitoring
- Laser treatment for some vascular birthmarks
- Removal of some moles when recommended
- Referral to pediatric specialists when needed
Where it is offered
Offered at all of our offices.
Q&A
Should a birthmark be removed?
Most do not need to be. We remove or treat birthmarks for medical reasons or for appearance when the benefits outweigh the risks.
When should a birthmark be checked?
Have a birthmark assessed if it grows quickly, bleeds, changes or is near the eye, nose or mouth. Infantile hemangiomas can grow rapidly in early infancy; early assessment is important if they may affect vision, breathing, feeding or skin integrity. A forehead or eyelid port-wine stain may need specialist evaluation.
Who you can see
Dustin Marks, MD, FAAD
Dermatologist · Upper East Side
Emily Tongdee, MD, FAAD
Dermatologist · Downtown Brooklyn
Emma Newman, PA-C
Physician assistant · Upper East Side
Grace Jarrett, PA-C
Physician assistant · Downtown Brooklyn
Leah Aminov, PA-C
Physician assistant · Greenvale
Karen Chen, PA-C
Physician assistant · Streeterville
Paige Yurick, PA-C
Physician assistant · Streeterville
Arielle Ades, DNP, FNP-BC
Nurse practitioner · Boulder
Francesca Raedel, FNP-BC
Nurse practitioner · Boulder
Jennifer Telgener, FNP-BC
Nurse practitioner · Boulder
Christine Sacco, FNP-C
Nurse practitioner · Palm Beach Gardens