Can I get injections to fix small dents and depressions caused by cleft lip scars?

Question

I was relatively lucky that although I had a bilateral cleft lip, everything came together quite nicely and I actually have pretty full lips. My previous doctor retired but he told that I could find someone to inject fat (or something else) into my scars on my upper lip. More importantly, I have a dent right below where the cupid bow should be and am wondering if they can be filled to create a fuller middle-upper lip?

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello!  Thank you for your question!  Smaller defects and deformities may well be fixed by dermal filers or fat injections.  The larger the defect or deformity, it may be better served by a cleft lip revision with re-mobilization of your surrounding tissue and fixing of scars.  Consult with a plastic surgeon well-versed in cleft procedures who can examine and discuss the various options.  Best wishes!

Ross Stutman, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Mild cleft lip reconstruction scars and depressions can be treated with dermal fillers (e.g. Juvederm) or fat grafting. More significant issues may require surgical revision.I recommend that you have a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon with experience treating cleft lip patients to discuss your treatment options.Best Regards,Dr. Stutman

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

Augmenting your scars with some type of autogenous filler can be helpful as the final phase in smoothing out cleft lip scar and lip vermilion irregularities/indentations. Fat Injections, small dermal-fat grafts or temporalis fascia grafts are all options which can be successfully used in the often deficient central lip vermilion of the bilateral cleft lip patient.

Sheryl D. Clark, MD, FAAD · Answer

I wish I had more history and pictures. basically, if you can flatten the scar out when you stretch the lip on either side of it, filler scould be able to lift and fill it. If it stays indented and bound-down when you stretch it, fillers may not be of benefit.I have seen lip scars remodel dramatically with a prescription retinoid, Tazarac.  Having studies the effects of retinoids at a molecular level as a researcher, I am not at all reluctant to give this a try for fresh and even old scars.This is the type of problem that we love to help with. I hope you find a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience with various fillers and retinoids to help you out.

Can I get injections to fix small dents and depressions caused by cleft lip scars?

Answers (4)

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