A mother from Gold Coast, Australia used a laser to remove a birthmark from her baby. However, some people are criticizing her and calling her a “monster” for having the procedure done on such a young child. Brooke Atkins, a 33-year-old mother, recently gave birth to her second child, Kingsley, six months ago. However, she and her partner, Kewene Wallace, 27, were not pleased with the “port wine” birthmark that covered half of the baby’s face. They decided to undertake a DIY project to try and remove it.
Although port-wine birthmarks are generally harmless, they can be associated with health issues like Sturge Weber Syndrome or glaucoma if located on the face, such as above the eye, like in the case of baby Kingsley. If left untreated, it can result in seizures or other disabilities. Glaucoma has the potential to cause blindness in the future. To keep her baby from experiencing seizures or blindness, Brooke, the mother, chose to take action by having the port-wine birthmark treated with a laser before any complications developed.
Kingsley was diagnosed with both glaucoma and Sturge-Weber Syndrome. According to the doctors, he may have seizures during his lifetime.
“The thing with port wine stains is that they are progressive, meaning they will change and darken over time,” Brooke stated. She is the mother of two-year-old Amarni as well as Kinsley.
She continued, “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 effect, as the skin is already far too damaged.”
She opted for laser treatment to remove her son’s port wine birthmark to prevent him from experiencing unpleasant symptoms. Internet trolls did not provide support.
“The only way to treat a port wine stain is through laser treatments, and the most effective laser for it is called a Pulsed Dye Laser. When he was first born, we were referred to the Queensland Children’s Hospital dermatology and vascular department, where they organized the first treatment and explained in further detail why laser would be important. The purpose of the laser treatments is not to ‘remove’ the birthmark but instead keep the skin healthy, to prevent any further damage to the area.”
Brooke faced criticism from internet trolls who called her a “monster” for sharing Kingsley’s progress on TikTok, as they believed that she put her six-month-old son through laser treatments.
“Don’t think I could laser my baby,” one person said.
Another person wrote: “That birthmark is barely visible. What you’re doing to him is horrible. It’s more for you than him.”
Can you share your opinion regarding the laser treatment for the baby?
