She says she is now starting to show more of her birthmarks in public, including wearing shorts outside for the very first time during a recent spell of hot weather.
Laura says something as simple as wearing shorts is a huge milestone for someone who previously went to great lengths to hide her appearance, and she is now slowly learning to embrace how she looks.
“I have started to show myself off a bit more and embrace myself.
“Being different is unique, and being unique is better than being perfect.”
Laura says she is taking it day by day and has set herself the goal of one day leaving the house without wearing any makeup at all.
After years of hiding her skin, she says she is proud of how far she has come and hopes others with a visible difference will learn to embrace their appearance.
“Gaining confidence doesn’t happen overnight, by no means. It takes time and it’s okay to feel self-conscious, it’s okay to feel different.
“I never thought in a million years that I would walk out of the house with a pair of shorts on from I was like 13 or so, but now it does happen. And I’m proud of myself, I have to say.”