Why do people have birthmarks

A common occurrence on many people, birthmarks can form for any number of reasons and come in a range of colors from light brown to pink, blue and even grey or dark purple in some areas. The colors and locations of birthmarks are based upon the specific cause of the birthmark and as such can allow the birthmark to change color with time, often becoming darker or lighter dependent upon the specific birthmark type an individual may have.

One of the most common causes of birthmarks to develop on individuals is either the presence of excess pigment in a specific area of the skin or the absence there of (dependent upon the natural skin color of an individual). Melatonin, a natural chemical found in our bodies and that which is responsible for giving color to both our skin and our hair, can deposit itself in various locations throughout our bodies and is not necessarily evenly distributed. It is this uneven distribution that can cause freckles or moles to form for some people in addition to hair follicles not necessarily losing their pigment and becoming grey evenly across a specific area.

Another common cause of birthmarks developing is an abnormal grouping of blood vessels in a certain area. This can cause blood within the body to be easily visible on the surface of the skin and commonly give many areas a brighter, generally reddish or pinkish look (though sometimes this can result in more purplish marks as well). Much like what happens in everyone’s face when blood collects in the cheeks and causes us to blush, these groupings bring blood to specific areas and can cause a color differentiation to develop permanently.

A third common cause of birthmarks is not an abnormal grouping of blood vessels but in the abnormal development of blood vessels in certain areas. This can cause a number of shapes and even raised spots to develop, often exhibited in anywhere from small lines to large raised blotches as blood fails to circulate properly and as such discolors and sometimes displaces certain patches of otherwise normal, healthy skin.