Most birthmarks pose little or no problem since they fade away or are located in areas that are easy to hide. But, in the case of a large, obtrusive birthmark on the face, the individual can suffer very significantly indeed. In most cases, parental encouragement and support can be all that's needed to get through early childhood, but at the point of puberty the power of parents to help begins to wane. At that point, the perceptions of others becomes more significant. Unafflicted girls, for example, may reject or isolate an afflicted peer because they may not want their “blemished” friend to “scare away” boys. Cosmetics may help but in many cases they cannot completely hide a birthmark. The emotional scars developed at this time may remain with an individual for life. For parents, there is nothing much they can do other to maintain an open dialogue with their child, be as supportive as they can, and consult dermatologists about the possibility of surgery, laser treatment, or other methods to remove the birthmark. The support of a psychologist or counsellor may also be considered.