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Port-Wine Stains – Expert Diagnosis & Treatment in NYC

Port-wine stains (PWS) are visible vascular birthmarks that may start as cosmetic concerns but often require long-term medical or surgical management. At the Birthmark Center of New York, world-renowned vascular anomaly surgeon Dr. Gregory Levitin provides expert diagnosis and personalized treatment plans for patients of all ages, including newborns, children, and adults living with untreated or progressive lesions.

As Director of the Vascular Birthmarks and Malformations Program at the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, Dr. Levitin is a trusted authority in the treatment of port-wine stains and other capillary malformations. He is regularly featured in major media outlets and serves as an international lecturer, surgical educator, and contributor to peer-reviewed research on vascular birthmark management.


What Is a Port-Wine Stain?

A port-wine stain is a capillary malformation that appears at birth as a flat, pink or red discoloration of the skin. Caused by dilated capillaries near the skin’s surface, these lesions can:

  • Darken and thicken over time (often becoming deep red or purple)

  • Develop surface irregularities, nodules, or blebs

  • Cause cosmetic disfigurement, especially when located on the face or scalp

  • Be associated with underlying syndromes, such as Sturge-Weber syndrome (when affecting the face and forehead)

Port-wine stains do not fade on their own. In fact, without treatment, they can become darker, raised, and more nodular, especially during adolescence and adulthood.


Why Choose Dr. Gregory Levitin?

Dr. Levitin is among the most respected port-wine stain surgeons in the world. His credentials include:

  • Director of multiple high-volume vascular birthmark programs since 2005

  • Board-certified otolaryngologist with advanced training in head and neck surgery

  • Over two decades of experience treating capillary malformations surgically and non-surgically

  • Guest lecturer at global conferences, including SISAV, ISSVA, and the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

  • Author of multiple peer-reviewed publications and international textbook chapters on port-wine stain surgery

  • Top Doctor awards from Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, and New York Magazine (2018–2025)

  • Featured expert in The New York Times, ABC News, CBS, The Washington Post, and NBC Nightly News

Patients from across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and South America travel to Dr. Levitin for complex port-wine stain surgery, often after failed laser therapy or previous treatment attempts.


How Port-Wine Stains Are Diagnosed

A clinical exam by a vascular anomaly expert is the first step. Dr. Levitin uses a combination of:

  • Detailed physical exam and photography to assess location, color, texture, and progression

  • MRI or CT imaging in certain cases, especially when the lesion overlaps the eye, brain, or airway

  • Evaluation for potential syndromic involvement (e.g., Sturge-Weber) when facial lesions follow the V1/V2 distribution


Port-Wine Stain Treatment Options

Dr. Levitin provides a full range of evidence-based, personalized treatment options, combining advanced laser therapy, surgery, and multidisciplinary care as needed.

Laser Treatment

Pulsed dye laser (PDL) is the gold standard for early-stage, superficial port-wine stains, especially in infants. Multiple sessions are often required to reduce coloration and vascular visibility. Dr. Levitin refers to trusted dermatologic laser specialists for appropriate patients and collaborates to monitor results.

Surgical Excision & Reconstruction

For port-wine stains that are thickened, nodular, or resistant to laser therapy, Dr. Levitin offers advanced surgical techniques to remove hypertrophied or disfiguring tissue, especially in the:

  • Cheek

  • Lip

  • Scalp

  • Neck

  • Forehead

Surgical treatment may involve local flap reconstruction, skin grafting, or dermabrasion to restore a more natural appearance. Dr. Levitin’s aesthetic-focused approach prioritizes minimal scarring, balanced symmetry, and preservation of nerve and muscle function.

Combined & Staged Treatment Plans

Many patients benefit from a staged treatment plan that includes both laser therapy and surgery. Dr. Levitin collaborates with dermatologists, geneticists, neurologists, and radiologists as needed—especially in syndromic or neurologically complex cases.


Real Results. Life-Changing Outcomes.

Patients who undergo surgery with Dr. Levitin often describe the results as transformative—not just physically, but emotionally. From children who regain confidence to adults who finally receive the care they were denied as infants, Dr. Levitin’s work regularly helps patients reclaim control over their appearance and self-esteem.

His expertise has been profiled on national platforms, including Good Morning America, The Doctors, and People Magazine, where he was featured for performing life-changing surgery on a young child with a large, disfiguring port-wine stain.


Trusted by Families and Physicians Worldwide

Dr. Levitin is regularly referred complex port-wine stain cases from physicians across the globe. Whether you are seeking early treatment for your infant or corrective surgery as an adult, you will receive the highest level of care, precision, and compassion from a surgeon with unmatched expertise.


Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Levitin

If you or your child has a port-wine stain that is growing, thickening, or impacting self-confidence, schedule a consultation with Dr. Gregory Levitin, one of the world’s foremost experts in vascular birthmark surgery.

If your child’s port-wine stains are a small part of another vascular malformation, he or she may need other specialist treatment that is not available from our centers. However, it is our aim to ensure that all treatments are carried out in conjunction to minimize both the physical and psychological impact on the child. Contact the Vascular Birthmark Center today.

Contact the Birthmark Center of New York today to request an in-person or virtual consultation.

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Dr. Levitin’s mission is to provide the most effective treatments in a caring and supportive treatment.
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Our Patient Reviews
The Vascular Birthmark Center: Gregory M. Levitin, MD

4.8 / 5.0

Based on 27 reviews

Abril M.

Dr. Levitin is very knowledgeable, compassionate and professional. Five years ago, I needed to find information about a birth mark that my newborn daughter started to grow a couple days after birth. I was afraid, I did not feel like I got any clear information about it through my insurance; also, they did not offer any course of treatment for it. I started to look for information, the birthmark was growing each day, information was scarce and I just got more scared. Finally, I found a video in Youtube from a grandmother who was very grateful after finding treatment for her grand daughter through The Birthmark Foundation. It was a huge blessing to me and my family. I found Dr. Levitin, I contacted him thinking he probably would not even answer. I was wrong, he kindly answered promptly, got in touch with me and soon he had a plan : ) I went to see him at the Birthmark Center in Los Angeles. He explained everything in a way that it was so clear to understand, no question I made was insignificant and his answers were each very informative. I really never have had an experience with a doctor who explains and speaks in such a way. I left his office knowing that my daughter was in the best hands and the best care. I first thank God for the Birthmark Foundation, a great organization with the highest quality of doctors. Also, a very special thanks to Dr. Levitin for all his help and kindness, for listening to my concerns and answering each and every question. And last, but no least, to the Birthmark Foundation Center in Los Angeles : ) I hope many children can find help/care in this place as I found it for my daughter. Thank you forever.

Ryan E.

I will be telling tales of the good doctors compassion till time comes to an end. Because of Dr Levitin, I have more confidence in my every day life. He was fast, knowledgeable, precise and all with a disarming sense of humor. Two thumbs up!

Carla M.

I wanted to show you how much better Hailey's tongue looks and let you know her speech has already improved so much!!! Her speech teacher is thrilled!!!! Thank you so much for everything you did for her. You are an excellent surgeon with a great bedside manner- we are forever grateful to you!!! We are so appreciative!

Danielle L.

we are forever grateful for Dr. Levitin. My daughter Lena had surgery to remove her hemangioma that was located on her forehead at just 6 month old. she healed beautifully and we couldn't be happier with how minimal her scar is, even almost 4.5 years later. Dr. Levitin is caring, compassionate, and such a great doctor/surgeon overall. He had our daughter's best interest and I knew she was in good hands. I highly recommend him any chance I get!

Chris

My name is Chris and I was recently treated for an AVM on my forehead by Dr. Gregory Levitin of New York (New York Eye and Ear Infirmary). Thankfully, I live within a few hours of NYC. In brief, I would like to say that Dr. Levitin is very capable doctor with a lot of experience with AVMs. He responds quickly to e-mail, texts, and phone calls. He accepts insurance. He takes a "team approach" and will be your "QB" and involve other specialists as necessary. In my particular case they were Dr. Raj Shrivastava (Mt Sinai) and Dr. Raphael A. Ortiz (Lenox Hill) in NY. I recommend contacting Dr Levitin for a consultation if you suspect you have an AVM. All 3 Drs are just good people. When I spoke to them, they treated me like like an equal. I felt like they were advising me as a close friend or family member. Like many that suffer with AVMs I was at first mis-diagnosed. What was thought to be a just a simple cyst turned out to be an AVM. Surgery to remove the cyst made the AVM about 5x bigger. My treatment entailed a few MRIs and CAT scans to determine what was going on and the treatment plan. This was followed by consultation with the 3 Drs mentioned above and finally a 2-day procedure. On day 1 Dr Ortiz embolized the AVM. On day 2 Dr Levitin and Dr Shrivastava removed the AVM from my skull and put some metal mesh there to fill the "hole". It has been 6-months since the surgery and so far I have not had any recurrence. In honor of Vascular Birthmark Awareness Day and to thank these Drs for all they have done for me, I just want to give everyone a solid reference. Finding the right doctor for this type of stuff makes all the difference.

Valle S.

I just discovered this page i have also a birthmark I always experiences bully because of this. I don't know what kind of birthmark is this if it is harmful ? I hope Dr. Levitin notice this message in this way I think he can help me :) :) #DrLevitin

Alicia M.

This year marks the 10th that I contacted VBF for help. Since then I have been under the care of Dr. G Levitin and Dr. R. Ortiz, they are my guardian healing angels! Thanks VBF for not only helping me but also for letting me be a volunteer in the foundation whenever I am needed. A Big Hug to all from MIAMI... Alicia

Alexander G.

Totally positive experience. Dr. Levitin is a great professional. He has diagnosed and treated my nose breathing problem, significantly improving my quality of life. Office staff is very professional. Appointments always kept on time. Strongly recommend.