A mum has revealed she was called a ‘monster’ by people online for choosing to laser her baby’s facial birthmark.
Brooke Atkins, a 33-year-old stay-at-home mum from the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, has defended her decision to get her son's birthmark treated.
She shares six-month-old son Kingsley, who was born with a port wine stain on half of his face, with partner Kewene Wallace, 27. They are also parents to a two-year-old daughter named Amarni.
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The family shares updates of Kingsley’s treatment on TikTok, which is often met with negative comments, including the 'monster' comment.
One person said: "Don’t think I could laser my baby."
Another commented: "That birthmark is barely visible, what you're doing to him is horrible, it's more for you than him."
"Why is everyone supporting this," commented someone else.
Although port wine stain birthmarks are usually harmless, if found on the face – especially over the eye – it can be linked to glaucoma, which can cause blindness. Not only that, but a rare neurological disorder called, Sturge Weber Syndrome, which causes seizures and other disabilities.
Sadly, Kingsley was diagnosed with both, and Brooke has defended her decision despite huge backlash online.
"The thing with port wine stains is that they are progressive, meaning they will change and darken over time,” Brooke said.
“They can develop a ‘cobblestone’ appearance with raised bumps, ridges and the risk of vascular blebs, where they dangerously bleed.
"Once a port wine stain gets to this stage, it is often very difficult to treat and laser barely has any affect, as the skin is already far too damaged."
Brooke said the most effective laser treatment for the type of birthmark her son has is the Pulsed Dye Laser.
"When he was first born, we were referred to the Queensland Children’s Hospital dermatology and vascular department, where they organise the first treatment and explain in further details why laser would be important,” she explained.
"The purpose of the laser treatments are not to 'remove' the birthmark but instead keep the skin healthy, to prevent any further damage to the area."
Brooke said she felt ‘mum guilt’ as a result of the harsh comments, adding: “Honestly, when I first started reading the negative comments, I sat there for a good half an hour and cried to myself.
“I had a whole heap of mum guilt and it made me question my decision, even though I knew I was doing the right thing, the cruel words still played in my head.
“Thankfully for every negative comment, there were 100 positive, so it helped a lot!
She continued: "Although I constantly worry about my son’s future and what it will be like, he continues to hit all his milestones.
"This journey for our family has just started and there is a long road ahead but we will push through!
"Over 20 hospital appointments: two different hospitals, over 10 different specialists and doctors, five different medical departments, three MRI’s, one ultrasound, two hearing tests, two operations, two laser treatments and three diagnoses, all in six months – yet he is the happiest, most loving and sweetest boy you will ever meet!"
Gregory Robinson