A brave hairdresser is facing an Instagram ban for posting pictures of her new nipple tattoos in her breast cancer battle.
Laura Henrietta, 31, was accused of "sexual activity" for posted a video of her receiving reconstructive 3D nipple tattoos after losing her breasts.
But Instagram has a ban on showing women's nipples - and Laura's post was removed by moderators.
She was contacted by social media bosses and told if she shared similar images with her 6,000 followers she could be banned over "sexual activity".
Laura, whose cancer is incurable, said: “I have been inundated with love and support for the post sharing my areola tattoos, not one person has made a fuss or made me feel bad.
“I’ve had so many messages from women saying it’s helped them realise they want reconstruction or that it’s normal and available.
“It’s really important we get this message across to Instagram - why are nipples allowed on a man but not on a woman? Especially when it’s art - a tattoo, not even a real nipple.”
Laura, of Norwich, Norfolk, was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 25 after finding a lump in her left breast whilst on holiday.
She underwent treatment including chemotherapy and a single mastectomy to remove the stage three cancer.
The following year she had precautionary surgery to remove her right breast and have both sides reconstructed.
Then in 2016 a pain in her right shoulder was found to be secondary cancer that had spread to her bones.
After more surgery and treatment doctors broke the news to Laura that this time her cancer was incurable.
Laura said: “I will keep sharing my experiences to help other women and show the world what happens when you are in my situation. I refuse to hide away.
“It has been over five years since I had my mastectomy and lost a huge part of my femininity.
“I had hoped it would be the way I became cancer free but little did I know how precious life was about to get.
“My new 3D tattoos have transformed the way I look at my breasts.”
Laura and friend Nicky Newman, 32, run Secondary Sisters, a campaigning group to support other women with incurable secondary breast cancer.
On the day of Laura's areola tattoo treatment she shared the process live on the Secondary Sisters Instagram feed to an audience of more than 7,000 people.
Cosmetic tattooist Vicky Martin said: "I have protested about this policy at Facebook and Instagram before. I want to raise awareness that these tattoos are about helping women to feel complete again. "It's not pornographic at all, it's art.
“Laura and Nicky are doing so much good for women with secondary cancer and it was an honour to help Laura. Sharing her journey took strength that should be celebrated.”
Speaking to Mirror Online, a Facebook spokesperson said “Images of post-mastectomy scarring and reconstruction are allowed on Instagram. Occasionally we make mistakes and unfortunately removed this content in error. We have since restored it and taken steps to prevent this happening again.”
