Woman, 18, opens up about living with port wine birthmark
Chloe Towney, 18, from Batemans Bay, New South Wales, was born with a large port wine birthmark across her face.
And while the confident young woman learned to live with it as she grew up, it didn't stop cruel kids from taunting and bullying her in the schoolyard.
But now, after 13 gruelling laser treatments and 13 months of dedication, Chloe's mark has faded and she is more confident than she has ever been.
Chloe appeared on Nine's This Time Next Year episode on Monday to debut her incredible transformation after pledging to 'like how I look in the mirror' 12 months prior.
Scroll down for video
Chloe Towney, 18, (pictured left at 16) from New South Wales, was born with a large port wine birthmark across her face - and now after 13 laser treatments she has debuted her transformation
After 13 months of dedication, Chloe's mark has faded and she is more confident than she has ever been
'I wanted to get the birthmark off for a long time and after making my pledge on the show my mum and I flew to Sydney and went to Dr Wong for a laser consultation,' Chloe told FEMAIL.
'The main reason why I wanted to remove it is because I have been bullied and while it made me who I am today, there were a lot of issues while I was at school, starting in primary school.
'I was very depressed for a long time and I didn't want to be seen. When the first comments were made all I could think was "Why am I different, why am I being bullied for my birthmark and why do I stand out from everyone else?".'
Chloe also found it difficult to go out in public and said she would often 'act confident' despite lacking self-esteem deep down.
Chloe appeared on Nine's This Time Next Year episode on Monday (right) to debut her incredible transformation after pledging to 'like how I look in the mirror' 12 months prior (left)
'It felt like I was being burned and penetrated right down to the bone and even though each treatment was only 10 minutes I then had to avoid the sun for two weeks and I was doing it every week,' she said
On the show, Chloe said 'it feels like someone is burning your face to the point where you can feel it in your bones - it felt like someone was burning me for two weeks'
'I didn't feel me, I didn't feel accepted into society and I didn't feel wanted by anyone,' she said.
Chloe said she 'didn't fit in' with other people, 'stood out a lot' and felt as though people were looking and laughing at her whenever she walked in crowds.
It felt like I was being burned and penetrated right down to the bone.
'I am so lucky I had such supportive parents and family because they taught me so much about confidence and inner beauty,' Chloe said.
'We spent hours sitting down and talking and they would share such wise words with me - I am so lucky that I have them as parents.'
'I pulled myself together, would save my money and then when it was done at the airport I would go into Mac and spend $100 - $200 on make up as a reward,' she said
Chloe has developed a passion for make up and is now using her newfound platform to create beauty tutorials and share her knowledge on her upcoming YouTube channel, ChloeTowneyOfficial
Chloe decided to get laser treatment done, but it wasn't an easy process.
'It was very confronting because I didn't think it would be as painful as it was,' she said.
'It felt like I was being burned and penetrated right down to the bone and even though each treatment was only 10 minutes I then had to avoid the sun for two weeks and I was doing it every week'.
On the show, Chloe said 'it feels like someone is burning your face to the point where you can feel it in your bones - it felt like someone was burning me for two weeks'.
'Make up has become my life and it's something I am so passionate about,' she said
'I am so grateful that I have been able to share my story because all I want is to be able to inspire people and help them feel beautiful,' she said
Despite dreading every appointment, Chloe pushed on with the support of her mother.
All I want is to be able to inspire people and help them feel beautiful.
'I pulled myself together, would save my money and then when it was done at the airport I would go into Mac and spend $100 - $200 on make up as a reward,' she said.
Chloe has developed a passion for make up and is now using her newfound platform to create beauty tutorials and share her knowledge on her upcoming YouTube channel, ChloeTowneyOfficial.
'Make up has become my life and it's something I am so passionate about,' she said.
'I am so grateful that I have been able to share my story because all I want is to be able to inspire people and help them feel beautiful.
'I'm glowing, this is the happiest I've ever been in my life. I can't wait to go shopping, I love it,' Chloe said
'I guess my main message too is that if there is something you don't like about you, you can change what you want and that is your choice - as long as you are doing it for you.'
Chloe said she watched the episode with her mother in a hotel room on Monday night.
'I was a mess, just crying and crying with mum and I saw myself walk out - I couldn't believe my old hair to be honest!' Chloe said.
'It was definitely surreal but it was amazing seeing it all come to life. I am just so thrilled with how everything has turned out and I am finally outside and living my life.
'I'm glowing, this is the happiest I've ever been in my life. I can't wait to go shopping, I love it.'