Café au lait birthmarks —pigmented spots on the skin—are some of the most common birthmarks there are. Most are light and coffee-colored (hence the name), and relatively unobtrusive, and most people don’t find it necessary to do anything about them. Some, however, are so dark, or so prominently featured, that they cause the people who have them to feel embarrassed or self- conscious—and in those cases, simply leaving the mark be doesn’t seem like such a great option. Luckily, laser technologies have made it possible to treat café au lait spots effectively. There are a variety of lasers out there, but I’ve found that q-switched lasers—specifically, QS 1064 nm and QS 755 nm lasers—are the lasers best suited for removing this particular type of birthmark. These lasers work by releasing short bursts of high-energy light beams, which shatter the pigment of the birthmark into particles small enough for the body to clear and absorb. The frequency and precision of the laser beam makes it possible to focus it only upon the problem area, leaving surrounding tissues untouched.
Each treatment is quick (as short as ten minutes in many cases), but several treatments are necessary in order to fully remove birthmarks. Following treatment, the birthmark will scab over for a few days as it heals.
If you’re interested in learning more about q-switched lasers and how they can be used to get rid of your unwanted café au lait birthmarks, give us a call! We’d be happy to walk you through the process and help you decide if this treatment is right for you.