What are capillary malformations and hemangiomas?
A capillary malformation is a stable red birthmark and it doesn’t go away, so often people want to treat it to improve the appearance of it. A hemangioma shows up between birth and two weeks of life. It proliferates, and then it stops growing, and then it improves with time. However it can leave deformity, it can cause functional impairment, so often in the growth phase we’ll want to treat.

Marilyn G. Liang, MD

 

What is the general course of a hemangioma?
Hemangiomas either show up at birth or few weeks of life, they grow, and then they stop growing, and then they get better. Port wine stains essentially stay the same… If there’s anything different, like the hemangioma starts bleeding or causing pain, then they should come in.

Marilyn G. Liang, MD

 

How can you tell when birthmarks are an issue?
In general the ones in the face or the ones that are having symptoms. Hemangiomas may grow, bleed, ulcerate, or cause pain.

Marilyn G. Liang, MD