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:
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Darken and thicken over time (often becoming deep red or purple)
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Develop surface irregularities, nodules, or blebs
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Cause cosmetic disfigurement, especially when located on the face or scalp
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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:
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Director of multiple high-volume vascular birthmark programs since 2005
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Board-certified otolaryngologist with advanced training in head and neck surgery
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Over two decades of experience treating capillary malformations surgically and non-surgically
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Guest lecturer at global conferences, including SISAV, ISSVA, and the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
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Author of multiple peer-reviewed publications and international textbook chapters on port-wine stain surgery
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Top Doctor awards from Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, and New York Magazine (2018–2025)
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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:
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Detailed physical exam and photography to assess location, color, texture, and progression
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MRI or CT imaging in certain cases, especially when the lesion overlaps the eye, brain, or airway
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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:
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Cheek
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Lip
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Scalp
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Neck
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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.
