An “Angel Kiss” is the common name for nevus simplex, a type of vascular birthmark appearing in newborns. This mark is extremely common, affecting approximately 30 to 40% of all babies, making it the most frequent vascular anomaly of infancy. The medical term nevus simplex, or salmon patch, describes this flat, benign discoloration of the skin. It is a temporary variation in the skin’s appearance present at birth.
How Angel Kisses and Stork Bites Appear
The common name depends on the mark’s specific location. The term “Angel Kiss” is used for marks appearing on the face, such as the eyelids, the area between the eyebrows (glabella), the forehead, or the upper lip. The identical lesion found on the back of the neck or posterior scalp is commonly referred to as a “Stork Bite.”
These patches are typically flat, without raised texture, and have indistinct borders that blend into the surrounding skin. The color ranges from light pink to red or salmon, which is why the medical term “salmon patch” is used. The visibility of the mark frequently changes depending on the infant’s physiological state.
The patch may become noticeably redder or darker when the baby cries, strains, holds their breath, or becomes overheated. Applying light pressure causes the color to temporarily fade, a characteristic that helps medical professionals identify the mark. This temporary color change simply indicates a shift in blood flow near the skin’s surface.
The Biological Mechanism Behind the Mark
Nevus simplex is classified as a capillary malformation, caused by the temporary dilation of small blood vessels, called capillaries, located just beneath the skin’s surface. These capillaries are wider than normal in the affected area. This is considered a developmental variation related to the remnants of fetal blood circulation in the skin.
The thin nature of a newborn’s skin allows these slightly enlarged blood vessels to be visible, giving the skin its characteristic pink or red hue. One theory suggests the marks result from a delay in the maturation of certain skin cells during embryonic development. This delay contributes to the persistent dilation of the dermal capillaries.
The color of the patch is solely due to the presence of blood within these superficial capillaries. Because the mark is flat and involves only the dilation of existing vessels, it does not grow or thicken over time. This differentiates it from other birthmarks, such as a hemangioma, which is a vascular tumor that grows rapidly after birth.
When Do These Marks Disappear
The timeline for the fading of nevus simplex depends significantly on its location, making the distinction between “Angel Kiss” and “Stork Bite” practical. Facial marks, or Angel Kisses, almost always fade completely on their own, usually within the first 12 to 18 months of life. Most disappear by the time the child is two years old.
Fading occurs as the skin thickens and the dilated capillaries naturally constrict or become less prominent. Even after the mark has visually faded, the area may briefly darken again years later when the child is crying or upset. This temporary darkening is normal and does not indicate a permanent return of the birthmark.
Marks located on the nape of the neck or the scalp, known as Stork Bites, have a different prognosis and are more likely to persist into adulthood. Approximately 50% of these nuchal patches may remain indefinitely, though they are usually not a concern. Their persistence is often unnoticeable because the area is typically covered by the child’s hair.
No medical treatment is required for nevus simplex, as the birthmark is harmless and fades naturally for most infants. Parents should consult a healthcare provider if a birthmark is raised, appears to be rapidly growing, or changes color or texture. These characteristics may suggest a different type of vascular mark, such as a hemangioma or a port-wine stain.