Would You Laser Your Baby’s Face? This Mum Did

Some people criticised the mother for lasering her baby’s large birthmark. They said she was a ‘monster’ for doing it. But the mother defended her decision, saying she did what was best for her child.

People have been calling this mother a “monster” after she had her baby’s large birthmark lasered off.

Kingsley was welcomed into the family in January. Shortly after, they realised he had a large mark on his face. They identified it as a “Port Wine Stain.” But they have been criticized for using laser treatment to try and remove it.

More reading:

A mother has been trolled online and called a “monster” because she decided to laser her baby’s large facial birthmark.

Brooke Atkins, 33, is a stay-at-home mum from the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. When her now six-month-old son Kingsley was born earlier in January, it became apparent he had a large mark covering half of his face. This birthmark is called a port wine stain.

Port wine stains are typically harmless, but if they occur on the face or in the eye, they are sometimes linked to glaucoma and Sturge Weber Syndrome – a rare neurological disorder.

Kingsley was diagnosed with both of these conditions.

Port Wine Stain and Sturge Weber Syndrome

Sturge-Weber syndrome is a disorder that causes seizures and other disabilities. It also causes problems with vision like Glaucoma, another eye disease that can cause blindness. Sturge-Weber syndrome can cause dark spots to form on the skin. These spots will get bigger and change over time.

In an interview with NeedToKnow.online, Brooke said: “They can develop a ‘cobblestone’ appearance, with raised bumps, ridges and the risk of vascular blebs, where they dangerously bleed.”

According to Brooke, if a port wine stain has progressed to this stage, it is often very difficult to treat. Laser therapy may have a minimal effect, as the skin is already severely damaged.

https://www.tiktok.com/@brookecyn/video/7111252088201530626?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1&q=%40kingsley_colvin&t=1658710011050

Kingsley’s family decided to wait to use laser treatment on his port wine stain. They waited until it was at a stage where the laser would have the most effect. Brooke said, “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.”

They were referred to the Queensland Children’s Hospital Dermatology and vascular department when he was born.

At the hospital, they were told more about why laser treatment is essential. The laser treatments’ purpose is not to ‘remove’ the birthmark but to keep the skin healthy, to prevent further damage.

@brookecyn

♬ Make You Mine – PUBLIC

The internet reacts

People have mixed reactions to Kingsley’s family. Some are amazed, while others think Brooke is a monster for choosing to put her son through treatment. One person said they couldn’t imagine lasering their baby, while another said it was more for Brooke than for Kingsley.

Many people are concerned about the long-term effects of the treatment and wonder why everyone is supporting Brooke.

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.” Someone else said: “Did you deadass laser a baby.” [sic] “Brainwashed mother making her kid insecure the second he gets out the womb,” commented another user.

Luckily, people have also been supportive and encouraging of Brooke’s decision to have her son’s birthmark removed.

One person said, “You’re the mom and you know what is best for him.” Another said, “He would’ve still looked as beautiful with or without the birthmark.”

Of the reception she has received online, Brooke said: “Honestly, when I first started reading the negative comments, I read them for a good half an hour and cried to myself.” She had “mum guilt” and questioned her decision because of the cruel words in some of the comments. But fortunately for every negative comment, there were 100 positive ones which helped a lot!

After 6 months

According to Brooke, the last six months have been hard on her family. Reading these comments makes them feel sad. The family of five said they don’t need this kind of judgement from people who don’t understand their son’s condition.

Brooke said, “Although I constantly worry about my son’s future and what it will be like, he continues to hit all his milestones.”

Brooke added, “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!”

If you were Kingsley’s mum, would you do the same?