Parents choose laser removal for toddler's facial birthmark amid cancer risk and social backlash

Taylor and Sean Johnston of Thurrock, Essex, have decided to begin laser treatment next year to reduce the size and hair growth of a large congenital birthmark on their daughter’s face after doctors warned it carries an increased risk of becoming cancerous and the family reported repeated hostile public reactions.

The couple told viewers on their TikTok account that Hallie, born in December 2023 with a pigmented congenital nevus that includes hair, will start laser sessions in May 2026. Hospital clinicians at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London examined Hallie when she was two months old, ran checks to confirm the nevus was not present elsewhere on her body and advised removal in part because of the potential for malignant change as the child grows. The Johnstons said they chose laser treatment to minimise scarring and because the hair on the lesion makes it more noticeable.

Taylor Johnston, 32, told viewers the family had been subject to frequent intrusive comments from strangers and, at times, adverse reactions from other children. "The comments I get are unbelievable and it's from adults," she said in the clip. She described scenes in public where passersby questioned the mark or where other toddlers were told not to let Hallie touch toys because of her face. The family’s other children reportedly greeted Hallie without issue when she was born, but her parents say they are concerned about how social attitudes could affect her as she grows older.

Medical staff at Great Ormond Street offered psychiatric support at the couple’s initial appointment because clinicians sometimes see parents struggle emotionally with congenital skin differences, the Johnstons said; they declined that support. The hospital confirmed the nevus was isolated to Hallie’s face and that further management options — including surgery or laser — were discussed with the family. The Johnstons said laser sessions are likely to take several visits and could continue for up to a year.

The family’s decision has prompted a mixture of support and criticism online. Some social media users expressed approval, saying parents were protecting their child from bullying and future problems. Others questioned whether the move was primarily aesthetic and cautioned about making irreversible decisions for a child who cannot yet express a preference. The Johnstons responded that they do not want to erase what makes their daughter distinctive but feel removal is necessary for her safety and health.

Congenital melanocytic nevi are pigmented skin lesions present at birth and may vary widely in size and appearance; some carry a higher lifetime risk of developing melanoma, particularly larger lesions. Management decisions are typically made on a case-by-case basis, balancing cancer risk, potential functional impacts, cosmetic outcomes and the risks of intervention. Options can include observation, surgical removal, staged excision, or laser and other dermatologic treatments aimed at reducing pigment and hair.

Taylor Johnston said one of the primary aims of the proposed laser treatment is to reduce the hair growth on the lesion, which she said exacerbates its appearance, and that she might stop treatment if only partial improvement is achieved after several sessions. "She might love it — I don't want her to hate us and say, 'why did you get rid of it? I really liked it'," she said, adding that the family calls the mark "her beard" in a light-hearted way at home.

The couple plans to proceed under medical guidance next year and said their overriding priority is Hallie’s health and happiness. Clinicians who treat congenital nevi advise families to maintain follow-up care and to weigh the risks and benefits of treatment options as the child grows and can participate in decisions about appearance and care.