Port Wine Stains

Area of Concern

01

What Are Port Wine Stains?

A port wine stain is a type of vascular birthmark that appears as a pink, red, or purple patch on the skin. It occurs when small blood vessels in the skin become dilated and remain permanently enlarged. These birthmarks are typically present at birth and most often occur on the face, neck, or scalp. While medically benign, port wine stains may gradually darken or thicken over time and are a common reason patients seek treatment.

02

What Causes A Port Wine Stain?

Port wine stains develop when capillaries in the skin remain permanently dilated due to differences in how the blood vessels formed during early development. These vascular changes are present at birth and are related to abnormalities in the nerve signals that normally regulate blood vessel constriction.

Over time, the affected vessels can remain enlarged or become more prominent, which is why port wine stains may darken or thicken as a person ages.

Common causes include:

Before & After Treatment at Aesthetic Solutions

03

Treatment

Treating port wine stains at Aesthetic Solutions

Treatment for port wine stains focuses on targeting the dilated blood vessels while preserving the surrounding skin. The V-beam laser is commonly used for this purpose, as it is designed to selectively treat vascular lesions by delivering energy that is absorbed by the blood within the vessels. This process helps collapse the abnormal vessels and gradually lighten the birthmark over time. Multiple treatments are often recommended for optimal improvement.

Port wine stains located near delicate areas such as the eyelids can also be safely treated using specialized protective ocular shields to protect the eye during the procedure.