Unsuccessful Laser Treaments

Marissa'sMom · #1 10-25-2006, 04:58 PM

My 16 y/o daughter has had a vascular birthmark on the inside of her right leg since birth. I don't know whether it's truly a port wine birthmark or something else. It is not thick and the color would change from like pink to a darker pink depending on her activity, etc.

2 years ago, we started laser treatment on her birthmark. The first treatment went well and we saw some slight improvement on the color of the birthmark. At the 2nd treatment, the dr. decided to use a laser that went deeper into the skin. This treatment left her leg to heal for quite some time. After it healed, the area that was lasered ended up raised whereas the birthmark was always flat and smooth like the rest of the skin on her leg. I think it actually looks worse than to begin with. She had several other laser treatments after this to work on removing the pink pigment in her birthmark. Then the dr. suggested a serier of microdermabrasion to smooth out the skin that was lasered. It did smooth it some, but no dramatic results.

I just took my daughter back to the Dr. for a follow up a few weeks ago and he said to just wait it out and see what happens with her birthmark and not do anymore treatments right now. I expressed that I was upset about the bumpiness that was left and why this happened. He didn't really have an answer.

Has anyone else experienced this with laser treatments? If so, what can be done?

hankbartenbach · #2 10-25-2006, 06:05 PM

Hi,

I am 24 with facial PWS.

Over the past 19 years I have done a lot of laser treatment. I have only had one laser actually scar.
I would suggest contacting Dr. Nelson who is the ask the expert for PWS. He uses several different lasers when he treats his patients. The link to contact him is on the front of this website.

Also, has your daughter ever been checked for KT syndrome? If not, you might want to look into it. It is a condition that effects arms and legs that have PWS on them. If you have any consern for this there is a KT doctor on the front of this website as well.

Being that I have been to many dermatologists in my life. I have learned that it is our right to get another opinion. If you do not like the answers this doctor is giving you and your daughter. I would recommend seeking another opinion. If you want a place to start I would suggest the resource section in the tool bar above. There might be one in your area or one that you are willing to drive to. If you can not find one post here on the group and somebody might know of additional doctors in your area.

I hope this helps, and please don't give up. It can be hard sometimes but keep your head held high.

Talk to later.

Hank

Marissa'sMom · #3 10-25-2006, 08:07 PM

Hi Hank,
Thank you for your reply. I never heard of KT syndrome before. I did a quick search on that, and I don't think my daughter has that.

I will use your suggestion and get another opinion. I am just leary of using this same Dr. again. I just wonder if the scar tissue can be repaired? The Dr. told my daughter to use Neosporin Scar Solution on her leg. She has used it for several weeks, but I don't think we will see results until about 8 weeks.