Yes, the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser can be used to treat certain types of birthmarks. Birthmarks can vary widely in appearance and composition, so the suitability of this laser treatment depends on the type of birthmark and its characteristics.
For example, this laser is commonly used to treat pigmented birthmarks such as café-au-lait spots or nevus of Ota. The laser energy is absorbed by the excess melanin in the birthmark, leading to its fragmentation or destruction. Over time, the body’s natural processes remove the damaged pigment, resulting in a lightening or elimination of the birthmark.
However, not all types of birthmarks can be effectively treated with this laser. Vascular birthmarks, such as port-wine stains or hemangiomas, may require different types of laser treatments, such as pulsed dye lasers or vascular lasers, which target blood vessels rather than pigment.