Birthmark Removal Cost and Procedure Guide

Do you have a birthmark? Nearly 80% of all people do.¹ Birthmarks are areas of skin discoloration that appear at birth or shortly after, and can come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes.²

Most birthmarks are harmless, and many are inconspicuous.¹ However, if the size, shape or location of your birthmark is an inconvenience, annoyance or embarrassment, birthmark removal may be the answer.

What Is Birthmark Removal?

Birthmark removal is a procedure that aims to remove or fade a birthmark. This can include physically removing the birthmark through surgery or causing it to fade or reduce in size or color with medication or laser treatments.²

Do birthmarks need to be removed?

In general, most birthmarks are benign and do not need to be removed.² However, if they are impacting your appearance or confidence, you may want to look into birthmark removal procedures.

Different Birthmark Removal Options

If you are interested in exploring birthmark removal, there are a number of treatment options to consider. The recommended treatment for you will be based on the size, location, birthmark type and severity, in addition to your age and overall health.³

Laser treatments

Laser therapy is the most common treatment for birthmarks, using high-energy light to target and break down the pigmentation that causes discoloration.³ It can be especially effective for reducing the appearance of port-wine stains, café au lait spots, congenital nevi and other surface birthmarks.²

Laser treatments may require multiple sessions to achieve the best results. Topical medication may also be used to treat certain kinds of birthmarks.³

Medication

For some birthmark removals, oral or topical medications may be recommended. These medications can sometimes help shrink or stop the growth of certain birthmarks like hemangiomas.²

Heart medication such as propranolol (an oral medication) and timolol (a topical version) are often prescribed to slow growth and promote healing.²

In some cases, corticosteroids may also be used to help shrink hemangiomas.² Birthmark removal with medication may be combined with laser treatments or surgery.⁴

Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be the best option to remove a birthmark. This procedure, called surgical excision, involves using a scalpel to remove the mark and may be done under local anesthesia for smaller birthmarks or general anesthesia for larger ones.⁴

Sclerotherapy

For venous malformation birthmarks, sclerotherapy can be used as a birthmark removal treatment.² During sclerotherapy, a solution is injected into the affected veins, causing them to shrink and break down over time, addressing the underlying issue and the visible discoloration.⁵

Be sure to talk with your doctor about which treatment option may be best based on the type of birthmark you have, its location and your desired results.

How Much Does Birthmark Removal Cost?

Depending on the specific type of treatment, the national average cost* for birthmark removal is between $325 and $531, with a range from $251 to $1,033.⁶

Average cost of birthmark removal by treatment type

Here are the average costs* of birthmark removal by the type of treatment.⁶

The overall cost may also be impacted by your geographic region, the size and location of the birthmark, the number of birthmarks treated and whether multiple sessions are needed.

Average cost of birthmark removal by state/district

Here is the average cost* of laser birthmark removal for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia:⁶

Keep in mind that laser therapy for birthmarks may require multiple treatments to achieve your desired results.³

Is Birthmark Removal Covered By Insurance?

Birthmark removal is usually considered a cosmetic procedure and, therefore, not covered by insurance.⁸ However, some providers may offer patient financing, such as the CareCredit credit card, to spread out payments over time.

Common Types of Birthmarks

There are different types of birthmarks that an individual may be born with or develop shortly after birth. Birthmarks are classified as either vascular birthmarks or pigmented birthmarks.⁹

Vascular birthmarks

Vascular birthmarks are often red and form when blood vessels are too wide or too numerous beneath the skin.³ Common vascular birthmarks include:²

Pigmented birthmarks

Pigmented birthmarks develop from an excess of melanin, which is what gives skin its color.⁹ Common pigmented birthmarks include:²

If you’re unsure about a mark or discoloration on the skin, a doctor can help identify whether it is a birthmark, what type it is and explore possible birthmark removal options.

How Does Birthmark Removal Work?

Treatment recommendations for birthmark removal will vary based on the type and location of your birthmark. Laser therapy can be effective for both vascular birthmarks and pigmented birthmarks.⁹

Preparation

Before laser birthmark removal, you’ll schedule a consultation for a doctor to review your medical history and treatment options and examine the birthmark. You may be advised to avoid chemical peels, collagen injections, sunbathing, tanning beds, aspirin and herbal supplements in the weeks before the procedure.¹⁰

Procedure

Laser birthmark removal is a non-invasive procedure.¹⁰ During laser birthmark removal, the laser may create a sensation similar to a rubber band snapping the skin. You will be able to resume your daily activities after the procedure.⁸

Recovery

After birthmark removal with laser therapy, the birthmark and surrounding tissue may be pink or swollen and have a stinging sensation.¹⁰ Depending on your type of birthmark, laser therapy works by breaking down the pigment or blood vessels creating the mark.⁹ Because of this, it can take multiple weeks to begin to see the results of laser therapy.¹⁰

Results

Birthmarks often respond well to laser therapy, with many patients achieving 70% to 90% lightening.¹⁰ Multiple treatments repeated one to three months apart may be required to achieve your desired results.¹⁰ Although birthmark removal results are usually permanent, some birthmark types can return and will need to be treated again.⁸

Birthmark Removal: Potential Side Effects

Laser treatment for birthmark removal is generally considered safe. However, there is a chance of potential side effects from the laser treatment. These may include:¹⁰

• Bleeding
• Crusting
• Discoloration
• Infection
• Pain
• Scarring
• Swelling

Side effects are generally mild and resolve within a few hours or days after treatment.¹⁰

Scheduling Your Birthmark Removal Treatment

Whether for medical reasons or cosmetic confidence, several effective treatments are available for safely removing or lightening birthmarks. Costs can vary depending on the type, size and treatment method, so it’s best to consult a qualified dermatologist for a personalized plan. With the right birthmark removal approach, it’s possible to achieve lasting results you can be satisfied with.

Financing Birthmark Removal With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for birthmark removal and related expenses not covered by health insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Kate Bayless is a health and wellness freelance writer with 20 years of experience. Her work has appeared in Parents, Women’s Health, Beachbody and OpenFit.