A birthmark is a colored mark on the skin that a person is born with or that appears shortly after birth. These marks can be brown, red, pink, purple, or even blue, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Some birthmarks are flat, while others are slightly raised. They can appear anywhere on the body.

Birthmarks happen when certain cells in the skin grow differently during development. Some birthmarks, called port-wine stains, look like someone spilled wine on the skin. Others, called café-au-lait spots, are light brown patches that get their name from the French term for “coffee with milk” because of their color. Strawberry marks are raised and red, resembling the surface of a strawberry.

Most birthmarks are completely harmless and just part of what makes each person unique. Some fade away as a child grows older, while others remain for life. Throughout history, people have told stories about birthmarks, sometimes believing they had special meanings. Today, we understand they're a natural variation in how skin develops. Many people view their birthmarks as distinctive features that make them who they are, like having curly hair or freckles.