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Port wine stains
What are port wine stains?
Port wine stains are vascular birthmarks that consist of superficial and deep dilated blood vessels in the skin that produce a reddish/purplish discolouration of the skin. Unlike normal blood vessels that constrict and widen the vessels in port wine stains remain permanently dilated causing the skin to have its 'port wine' appearance.
Port wine stains affect approximately 3 out of 1000 people and usually occur on the face, neck, or scalp, although they can appear anywhere on the body. Over time port wine stains usually deepen in colour and can cause emotional and social problems for the affected person.