Little Luna Tavares-Fenner was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 with a disfiguring 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡mark that covered most of her face, but doctors in Russia have used pioneering techniques to fix the problem

Luna’s condition left her with a dark 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡mark across her face which has seen her dubbed the “Batman” girl.

Carol had previously been told by doctors in America that removing the mark would require a series of around 100 high-risk operations using lasers.

However after Luna’s story made headlines around the world, her parents were contacted by a Russian surgeon who offered to perform pioneering treatment using laser photodynamic therapy.

Luna Tavares Fenner, who lives in Florida, flew to Russia in 2019 to begin pioneering surgery on her facial 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡mark.

She was just eight months old when her parents decide to make the 6,000-mile trip in the hope of helping their daughter.

With the finishing line finally in sight disappointment rained down on the family as their visa ran out and they were forced to return to the US.

Luna’s marking on her face is medically known as Giant Congenital Melanocytic Nevus (GCMN), a type of skin disorder, and she had been receiving treatment in the city of Krasnodar in the Russian federal subject of Krasnodar Krai.

Everyone involved is extremely happy with how the treatment is going but Luna was due one more round of crucial surgery.

Luna’s surgery was carried out in a clinic in Krasnodar – a Russian city close to Ukraine

Her treatment coincided with tensions between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the Covid-19 crisis, but Luna and her mother Carol Fenner, 37, managed to keep returning so the girl could receive the groundbreaking treatment.

And there has been a positive result from the Russian medical treatment which has medics say has prevented possible skin cancer for the toddler.

The 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡mark is now almost completely gone

“We only had six operations to remove the nevus and have succeeded in making it disappear,” explained Dr Popov.

“Later we aim to make sure Luna will not have any complexes when she comes to the age where she is concerned about her appearance.”

Luna is delighted with the results

“I am completely satisfied with the result of the surgery,” he said. “Luna is very loyal to us. Often there is an aversion to the medical staff… 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren are afraid of doctors.

“But Luna brings her dolls to the appointment every time – and asks me to treat their faces, “I attach a plaster to the doll’s face, and Luna is happy that the doll is also treated.

“I can’t tell you how long the cosmetic part of Luna’s treatment will take,” he says, “it depends on too many factors – pandemics, lockdowns, visas.” But he is sure it will bring great results for Luna.

The two-year-old will still need some cosmetic surgery in the new year

Luna’s mum said she was grateful for the treatment not involving invasive and “aggressive” surgery, which would have been the case elsewhere.

“Luna is good now,” she said, “her bandages are off.

“We’re going to fly away for Christmas and come back for the final cosmetic surgeries at the end of January.

“I don’t regret at all having the treatment here.

“Luna doesn’t feel the pain, she dances a few hours after the surgery.”

Luna’s mum and dad have always done their best to make her feel ‘normal’