Cafe au lait birthmark on face

[Reelaa]

My baby has a birthmark on his cheek which isn't too big but is visible and a few people have commented on it (not in a negative way). I think it's cute but my concern is it'll get bigger/darker as he gets older and I don't want it to cause him any self confidence issues. Any experience with these birthmarks and how they change as baby grows? Thanks

Congratulations on your baby! I've only known birth marks to fade rather than get worse, but there are lots if different types I think.

One of mine had a port wine stain birthmark which has faded to nothing gradually. I can see it sometimes very faintly if they are ill, but only because I know it was there to start with. Don't think anyone else would notice it.

A cousin had a fairly large Mongolian blue spot birthmark that has also faded significantly.

Can I just ask if you've noticed any other cafe au laits? Totally don't mean to freak you out but more that 4/5 can be an indicator of a genetic condition called NF1.

My daughter was born with a cafe au lait birthmark on her leg. It has not become darker, but has grown as well as the rest of her - it is still the proportional to the size of her leg.

Have you spoken to your GP? It might be worth getting a dermatologist referral to discuss future possibilities. Also, (multiple) cafe au lait spots can be associated with certain syndromes, so if you notice more of them coming up, discuss it with your doctor.

Keep in mind that mixed race or non-white kids may have multiple such spots and absolutely no associated conditions, it's just that a lot of medical texts and studies are based on the norm in the white population.

A cage au lait will only grow in proportion to his body. Over many, many years they can progressively fade - but usually talking decades.

They are very common and provided it's only one or two, of no clinical significance.

When he's older, if it's still visible and it bothers him, I think there are laser treatments that can fade. But I suspect it won't bother him that much from what you described.

Just to say, try not to go too far down the rabbit hole of NF1. As others have said, cafe au lait spots are associated with that condition, but it's rare and the vast majority are simply harmless birthmarks. Worth speaking to doctor at some point just to check it is what you think.

I have a cafe au lait birthmark on my arm: it’s got bigger over the years but only because my arm has - proportionally it’s still the same size relative to my arm.

It’s got progressively paler over time, which I think is normal.

When I was young my parents told me it was proof I was special and unique, I was always quite smug about it!

I believe I could get laser treatment if it was bothering me, but it never has.

Oh yes @Suzie81 , absolutely! It's just that DS1 has it and so many people don't know anything about it!

The doctor mentioned NF it at his 6 week check but he has no others so all ok. Fingers crossed it will fade or won't bother him as he gets older!

Birthmarks on babies always look so pronounced because their skin is otherwise so clear. But as they get older they build up the usual collection of scars, freckles, moles and other imperfections, and things that stuck out when they were babies seen less obvious. But good to know cosmetic options are there if at some point in the future he wants to have it removed.

My DS has a cafe au pair mark on the back of his neck - it has got slightly darker due to summer sun exposure (the part under his clothes has remained lighter).

Nf1 café au lait macules do NOT usually appear on the face, so another good indicator against Nf1

Not just Nf1. DD has cafe au lait birth marks on the section of her body affected by fibrous dysplasia [poly variety rather than McCune Albright Syndrome] It is as if her body stuck outside marks on the ‘keep an eye on the bone around here’. They grew but in proportion to how she grew. The large one on her jaw has faded a little. The ones on her leg have darkened a little- possibly not helped by the amount of keloid scars she has from bone surgeries.

My daughter has a cafe au lait mark on her leg. It’s grown with her but faded quite a lot already and she’s only 2.

She also had quite a big vascular birthmark on her forehead which I did get some negative comments about (wtf is wrong with people?) and a lot of stares. I just got used to it and now it has faded to a pinprick.

I have a birthmark about the size of a 20p piece on my face. It's grown proportionately as I have, it's no bigger/smaller/darker/lighter. It's only ever been an issue when I was sent home repeatedly from nursery/school for having impetigo. And once I worked with someone who was insistent on giving me make up tips because she wouldn't have wanted to look like "that" I could cover it up, I just never have.

DS1 has one on his belly which has just grown in proportion to him.
DS2 had stork bites on his face but they have all faded now.

I have a small one right on my arse cheek. It's very pale, barely noticeable but is bigger than when I was a kid (but then so is my arse) .

My husband has large brown birthmark on his cheek/temple area maybe just under a quarter of his face. From seeing photos when he was young it is slightly lighter but has grown in proportion with his face. It does darken when he gets a tan. Husband says it doesn't bother him, growing up through school years people did try to pick on him over it. However he's very conscious on what side he stands when taking photos or talking to people to the point were I didn't even notice it the first time I met him.