My dd had one which appeared when she was about 4 and gradually got bigger until it was over 1.5cm.
Initially our GP was reluctant to do anything as they sometimes resolve spontaneously. But I took her back when she was 8 as she was fed up of people asking her what she had done to her face.
We were first refered to a local GP who specilaises in minor cosmetic procedures, he used something called a radio lase which involved a small needle being inserted into the skin and then super heated by microwave to seal the blood vessels. At first it looked as if it had worked, but over a few weeks it re vascularised and looked just the same.
He then recommended laser treatment, but it was not available in our area. Our case had to go to the local PCT exceptional treatments panel to decide if they would pay for it (our GP thought it would cost in the region of £1000 to go privately) Thankfully the PCT agreed to fund it, but we were prepared to go to appeal with the backing of our GP and the radio lase GP if necessary, woh both felt we had a reasonalbe case as it was staring to affect her confidence.
We were refered to DR Shean Dare at Leeds General Infirmary.
The procedure was very quick, and DD said it wasn't too painful.She was given goggles to wear, and I was allowed to stay with her.
The area came up in a bruise that lasted for about 2 weeks to heal fully. She was given a ice pack to hold over the area for about 20 minutes after the procedure. For the next two weeks she didn't go swimming or do PE as you have to be careful not to knock the area or immerse it in water. You also have to be extra careful about sun exposure for about 3 months as the area is more sensitive for a while.
The result was excellent, she maybe has a little more redness under the affected eye, but hardly noticabele. There is certainly no scaring of the skin. She is also more confident.
The whole process took us about 8 months from first visit to the gp to treatment, but several months of that was the unsucesfull radio lase treatment, (she had two treatments three weeks apart, plus appointments before and after, a total of 4 appointments)This was a far more painful procedure, but only realy sucesful on smaller lesions and thread veins.
The laser appointment was all done in a single visit.
The stupid thing is that our local private hospital has a machine, but the local PCT don't have a contract to refer patients locally so we had to travel about 60 miles to the nearest NHS machine.
My advice would be don't give up on the NHS funding until you have explored all options.
Our exceptional treatments panel only meets once a month and DD's case was considered in April 2008, we got treatment in June the same year.
Hope this helps.