Dani's story
My name is Dani, I'm 36 and I have a PWS. I've had
numerous laser treatments on my birthmark. The first was by argon
laser when I was around 5 years old. I had a test patch done and
unfortunately it left me with 2 circular 1cm
scars.
When I was around 14 my parents found out about a new kind
of laser and asked me if I wanted to give it a try. I agreed and my
mum and I travelled down to a hospital in Chelsea for treatment. My
PWS started to fade and I had several more treatments there up
until I was around 17.
My parents then found out about a charity called Red, Black
and White. The charity agreed to pay for treatment at a hospital in
Bromsgrove. After 15 treatments along with my doctor, I made the
decision to end treatments.
Laser treatment worked very well for me, my PWS is much
smaller, although very patchy in places.
Unfortunately when I was 20, I made the decision to have
surgery on my droopy lip after an insensitive comment from a
stranger. I got a nasty infection in the stitches and I've been
left with a scar around my nose. My lip is now droopier than before
the operation.
I have considered more laser treatment over the years but
decided against it. I've decided to just live with what I was born
with. Occasionally people ask me about camouflage make-up, but I
don't feel comfortable hiding my mark.
People deal with their marks in different ways and although
I choose not to hide/camouflage mine, I do feel very self-conscious
about it on occasion.