Brierley said the lack of regulations around injectables and cleft dermal fillers was also concerning.
“I know that there are a number of organisations, various world colleges and specialist societies [which] are trying to bring in regulation in line with government but at the moment the entire field is unregulated, he said.
“There will be many excellent practitioners out there, but it will be impossible to know in advance if there is someone who isn’t following best practice.”
Dr Nicola Stock is an associate professor whose work focuses on the psychological impact of appearance-altering conditions such as a cleft lip.
Alongside others, she has worked on a project at the University of the West of England’s Centre for Appearance Research. They have looked into the use of dermal fillers for people with a cleft, the people who provide them, what experiences and qualifications they have, and how these fillers are being marketed to the community.
Stock said research suggested adults born with a cleft still had concerns with their appearance after surgery.
The research also suggested that more people born with a cleft lip were interested in aesthetics treatments like dermal filler.
She believes the way filler is being marketed on social media is fuelling this steady increase of people seeking out treatment.
“Within the general population, dermal filler has exploded in popularity in recent years, and it’s now one of the most common non-surgical cosmetic procedures used worldwide,” she said.
“And we believe that this is being fuelled predominately by the aesthetics industry and predominately on social media.”
Stock said she was worried that adults with a cleft lip, who have a complex medical history, were being “deliberately targeted” and “left vulnerable to potential harm and exploitation at the hands of the aesthetics industry”.
Until there are more guidelines in the sector, Stock recommended that anyone considering dermal filler should research their options and get in touch with their local NHS cleft team or contact the Cleft Lip and Palate Action charity., external
If you have been affected by the issues raised in this story, information about available help and support can be found via Action Line.
Additional Reporting by Lucy Vladev.