Why Do People Have Birthmarks?

Have you ever wondered why do people have birthmarks? Birthmarks come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. They can be either flat on the skin or be a slightly raised area. The birthmark can be any shape and size and they can appear anywhere on the body. They will show up in a particular color that may vary from black, brown or tan to one that is more colorful such as, red, pink, pale blue or purple. The color of the birthmark can give a clue as to the type of birthmark a person has but at this time, there is no known reason why they appear. There have been some indications that they may be linked to genetics. Regardless, the vast majority of birthmarks are nothing to worry about and are harmless, but it is always advisable to have them checked by a doctor during a routine physical exam.

Let’s answer the question of why do people have birthmarks? Most birthmarks occur due to an excess of pigmentation in a particular place on your skin, a grouping of blood vessels to close to the surface of the skin or a group of blood vessels that do not grow normally.

Depending on which of these is the cause, the appearance and color of your birthmark will vary. The shape of the birthmark is normally not a symmetrical shape, like a circle, but has irregular edges instead. Birthmarks are present at birth or appear within a few days. Many birthmarks also fade and disappear within a few weeks after birth.

Types of Birthmarks

There are six main types of birthmarks that may occur. Hemangiomas are birthmarks that have a raised feel on the skin. These are due to blood vessels that grow abnormally. They can occur at the skin surface or deeper under the skin. They usually are red, bluish or purple in color. Their size and shape can vary widely.

Port wine stains are also due to blood vessels that did not grow normally, but are red or pink in color at birth. Then with age, the birthmark turns a darker red-purple. This type of birthmark can be small or can cover large areas of skin. This type of birthmark is most notable on the forehead of Mikhail Gorbachev.

The most common birthmark is probably a congenital mole. They are dark brown or black in color and can appear on any part of your body. Most people have at last one mole on their body. They offer no real danger and don't necessarily indicate problems with your health. However these should be noted and checked by a doctor if they grow or change size.

Café-au-lait spots usually occur on the torso, the legs or the legs. They are light brown or chocolate brown in color and are small and oval.

Mongolian spots are bluish or purple and are caused by blood vessels that have grown in an abnormal way. Their shapes are irregular and usually appear on the lower back and buttocks.

Salmon patches are the last example of different birthmarks.

Other names for these birthmarks include stork bites, angel kisses or macular stains. They are pink or red in color and their structure is thin and flat. They usually occur on the back of the neck, upper eyelid, upper lip or even between the eyebrows. 

Removing Birth Marks

Some people really hate their birth marks and believe that the marks interfere with their appearances. Self-esteem is important for young people during the formative years and feelings about their looks play a huge role in their perception of it. If the birthmark is too troublesome, some medical treatments can remove or fade the coloration on the skin. So why do people have birthmarks they don't want when there are therapies that can remove most types?

Laser therapy is particularly useful on lightly colored birthmarks. The laser can make the color fade or completely disappear.

Other treatments to remove moles and bothersome birthmarks can include cryogenically freezing the mole and surgically removing it. This technique can leave some scarring at times.