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Wales cleft patients describe lip filler; experts flag unregulated clinics
BBC Wales reported two women born with cleft lip said dermal filler after surgery improved confidence, while a psychologist and a cleft surgeon warned of unregulated aesthetics marketing. Not medical advice.
BBC Wales reported that two women in Wales born with cleft lip said they used dermal filler after surgery to address scarring, and that the treatment is available through the NHS as well as private aesthetic clinics1.
The report said Amber Dorgan, 20, of Neath, receives lifelong free filler through the Welsh Centre for Cleft Lip and Palate at Morriston Hospital in Swansea after childhood operations, and that Emily Evans, 21, of Kidwelly, was discharged from cleft services at 17 and later found a private practitioner via social media1.
According to the same report, a cleft lip and palate occurs when the upper lip, palate or both do not fuse in pregnancy, affects about one in 700 UK births, and the NHS provides lifelong care, with surgery typically in the first months of life1.
BBC Wales said aesthetics practitioner Summer Rose-Dorland, who works with the non-profit CleftInject, argued the industry should be regulated while defending trained non-medics, and that some associated practitioners offer first treatments at no charge1.
Consultant cleft and plastic surgeon Dr Neil Brierley, of the West Midlands Cleft Service, told the BBC that patients should stay in contact with NHS cleft teams, disclose filler because it can block later revisional surgery, and that injectables remain unregulated1.
Dr Nicola Stock, an associate professor at the University of the West of England's Centre for Appearance Research, said research found ongoing appearance concerns after surgery and rising interest in filler, and she attributed marketing on social media as a driver while warning adults with complex medical histories can be targeted1.
Until clearer rules exist, Stock recommended checking options with a local NHS cleft team or the Cleft Lip and Palate Action charity, the BBC said1. Not medical advice.