Cleft lip filler treatments boost confidence but raise exploitation concerns

Two women from Wales who have undergone cleft lip and palate surgery shared that dermal filler treatments have helped boost their confidence, according to BBC Health.

Amber Dorgan, 20, from Neath, said the filler treatments have made her feel more social and confident after dealing with scarring from surgery and related challenges like speech difficulties and bullying.

The dermal filler treatments, which aim to reduce scar appearance, restore symmetry, and add volume, are available through the NHS as well as private aesthetic clinics.

However, experts and clinics have called for regulations on aesthetic practitioners providing these services, as a psychology academic warned that people with cleft lips may be deliberately targeted by the aesthetics industry, potentially leading to harm and exploitation.

Amber Dorgan receives free dermal filler treatments for life at the Welsh Centre for Cleft Lip and Palate in Morriston Hospital, Swansea, highlighting NHS involvement in these treatments.