Birthmarks in Children

Birthmarks are colored or textured spots on the skin that are present at birth or develop within the first year or two of a child’s life. Some birthmarks pose no health risk and fade over time on their own. Other birthmarks grow quickly while a baby is young, requiring medical treatment to shrink them. If a darkly pigmented birthmark, such as a mole, is large or located in a visible or sensitive place on a child’s body, a parent may elect to have it treated for aesthetic reasons.

Dermatologists and plastic surgeons at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone understand these concerns, and partner with you to decide which treatment best addresses your child’s physical and emotional health. Our doctors create an individualized treatment plan for your child based on the type, size, and location of a birthmark and recommend the least invasive treatment option.