Angel Kisses on a Newborn: What Are These Pink Birthmarks?
Share
An “angel kiss” is a common flat pink or red birthmark called a nevus simplex. These marks are made up of tiny superficial blood vessels and are often seen between the eyebrows, on the forehead, eyelids, nose, or other areas of a newborn's face.
They are usually completely harmless and often fade substantially during infancy or the toddler years.
- Angel kisses are medically called nevus simplex.
- They are flat pink or red vascular birthmarks present at birth.
- They commonly occur on the forehead, between the eyebrows, eyelids, nose, and back of the neck.
- They may look darker when your baby cries, strains, becomes warm, or is very active.
- Most facial angel kisses fade naturally over time.
- Marks on the back of the neck—often called stork bites—can persist longer.
- Most nevus simplex birthmarks require no treatment.
Many parents notice a faint pink or red mark on their newborn's forehead, eyelids, or between the eyebrows during the first hours after birth.
The mark may seem almost invisible while the baby is sleeping and then suddenly become much darker when the baby cries.
These common birthmarks are often called angel kisses.
The medical term is nevus simplex, and in most babies these marks are harmless and require no treatment.
What Is an Angel Kiss?
An angel kiss is a type of vascular birthmark caused by small blood vessels called capillaries near the surface of the skin.
The mark is usually flat rather than raised and ranges from light pink to deeper red.
HealthyChildren reports that nevus simplex birthmarks are extremely common and can occur in up to 80% of babies.
Where Do Angel Kisses Usually Appear?
Nevus simplex can appear in several typical locations.
Common areas include:
- Between the eyebrows
- The middle of the forehead
- The upper eyelids
- The bridge or lower part of the nose
- The area above the upper lip
- The scalp
- The back of the head or neck
Marks between the eyebrows or on the face are often called angel kisses. Similar marks on the back of the neck are commonly called stork bites.
Why Does the Birthmark Get Redder When My Baby Cries?
This is completely typical.
Crying, straining, warmth, and activity temporarily increase blood flow through the tiny vessels in the birthmark.
As a result, the mark can become noticeably darker or redder.
Once your baby calms down, the color usually becomes lighter again.
One of the easiest clues that a pink newborn birthmark is a typical nevus simplex is that it seems to “turn up the color” when the baby cries.
That temporary darkening is expected and does not mean the birthmark is getting worse.
Will an Angel Kiss Go Away?
Most facial nevus simplex marks fade substantially with time.
Many become much less noticeable during the first year or two of life and often disappear by the toddler years.
Marks on the back of the neck can persist longer and may occasionally remain visible into adulthood, particularly when the skin becomes flushed.
Does an Angel Kiss Need Treatment?
Usually not.
Most nevus simplex birthmarks are harmless and fade naturally.
Creams, ointments, massage, and other home treatments will not make the birthmark disappear faster and are unnecessary.
If a mark persists and later becomes cosmetically concerning, a dermatologist can discuss whether laser treatment is appropriate, but most newborns need no treatment at all.
- Leave a typical angel kiss alone.
- Use normal gentle newborn skin care.
- Do not scrub or try to fade the mark with creams or home remedies.
- Expect the color to vary when your baby cries, strains, or becomes warm.
- Show the birthmark to your pediatrician during routine newborn visits.
- Ask your pediatrician to examine any mark that is unusually large, raised, asymmetric, or located in an unexpected area.
Is an Angel Kiss the Same as a Port-Wine Birthmark?
No.
Both are vascular birthmarks and may appear pink or red at birth, but they behave differently.
A typical nevus simplex tends to be lighter, often has less sharply defined borders, and commonly fades with age.
A port-wine birthmark, also called a capillary malformation, is often darker and more sharply defined. It usually does not disappear naturally and may become darker or thicker as a child grows.
Certain port-wine birthmarks involving the forehead or eyelid can occasionally be associated with other medical conditions and may need additional evaluation.
Is an Angel Kiss the Same as a Hemangioma?
No.
A nevus simplex is present at birth and remains flat.
An infantile hemangioma often appears during the first few weeks after birth and may grow rapidly for a period of time.
Superficial hemangiomas can become bright red and raised—the classic “strawberry” appearance.
Because some hemangiomas require treatment depending on their location, size, and growth pattern, any new or rapidly enlarging vascular birthmark should be shown to your pediatrician.
When Should I Call My Pediatrician?
Ask your pediatrician to evaluate a birthmark if:
- You are unsure whether the mark is a typical angel kiss.
- The mark is unusually large or located in an unexpected area.
- The birthmark is becoming raised or rapidly increasing in size.
- The color is becoming progressively darker rather than gradually fading.
- The mark involves a large portion of the forehead or eyelid.
- The skin develops bleeding, ulceration, swelling, or other unexpected changes.
When Is a Birthmark an Urgent Problem?
A typical angel kiss is not an emergency.
Seek prompt medical care if a skin lesion is associated with:
- Rapid swelling
- Persistent bleeding
- Ulceration or an open sore
- Signs of infection such as spreading redness, warmth, swelling, or pus
- Difficulty breathing or feeding
- A baby who appears seriously ill
These findings are not typical of an uncomplicated nevus simplex and may indicate a different skin or vascular condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are angel kisses birthmarks?
Yes. They are common vascular birthmarks called nevus simplex and are usually present at birth.
Why is it called an angel kiss?
“Angel kiss” is simply a traditional nickname for a salmon-colored nevus simplex on the face, particularly between the eyebrows.
Are stork bites and angel kisses the same thing?
Medically, yes. Both are forms of nevus simplex. The nickname usually depends on location: facial marks are often called angel kisses, while marks on the back of the neck are called stork bites.
Does crying make the birthmark permanent?
No. Crying temporarily increases blood flow and makes the mark darker, but it does not prevent the birthmark from fading normally.
Can an angel kiss turn into a port-wine stain?
No. They are different types of vascular birthmarks. If a mark does not behave as expected or becomes darker, thicker, or more sharply defined over time, your pediatrician can re-evaluate it.
Can I put lotion on an angel kiss?
Normal gentle moisturizer can be used if the surrounding skin is dry, but lotion will not change the birthmark itself and usually is not necessary specifically for the nevus simplex.
Angel kisses are one of the most reassuring newborn findings.
Flat, pink marks in the classic locations that become darker with crying and gradually fade are usually exactly what they appear to be—a normal newborn birthmark.
If a birthmark looks different from that pattern, your pediatrician can help determine whether it is another type of vascular birthmark.
Clear Answers for Your Baby's First Months
Join the Pediatric Parent Guide Parent Club for practical pediatric guidance from Dr. G, newborn resources, and updates when new articles and parent tools are added.
Join the Parent Club →References & Medical Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Baby Birthmarks & Rashes
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. How Your Newborn Looks
Related Parent Resources
Find more pediatric guidance about newborn skin, birthmarks, bathing, rashes, and other common concerns in our Newborn Care Library →
Medical Disclaimer
This article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your child's pediatrician, pediatric dermatologist, or another qualified healthcare professional. Most nevus simplex birthmarks are harmless and require no treatment, but vascular birthmarks can sometimes resemble one another. Ask your pediatrician to examine any birthmark that is unusually large, located in an unexpected area, rapidly growing, becoming raised, persistently bleeding, ulcerated, or otherwise changing in an unexpected way. Seek prompt medical evaluation if a skin lesion is associated with significant swelling, infection, breathing or feeding difficulty, or an ill-appearing baby.