The Visible Difference Support Hub offers easy access to free, evidence-based support for people whose lives are impacted by a visible difference of any sort. It also includes tools for raising awareness and understanding about visible difference.
You’ll find a range of resources on The Visible Difference Support Hub, including podcasts, e-books, an app, a board game, videos, websites and downloadable booklets.
Most of the resources are generic, meaning they are suitable for people with any kind of visible difference. However, some of the resources on this website have been developed for specific conditions, such as alopecia, burns, craniosynostosis, eczema and CMN.
You can also find out about the research that has gone into creating and testing them.
What do you mean by ‘Visible Difference’?
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We use ‘Visible Difference’ to refer to any condition, treatment or injury that can affect how somebody looks, including scars, birthmarks, burns, limb loss and limb differences, craniofacial conditions such as cleft lip and palate and craniosynostosis, cancer treatment, hair loss (alopecia), facial palsy, lipoedema, neurofibromatosis, lipodystrophy, and skin conditions such as eczema, vitiligo, psoriasis, ichthyosis, ectodermal dysplasia (ED), and epidermolysis bullosa (EB). Some of these will have been present at birth; others develop or are acquired later. Some, such as Treacher-Collins and Crouzon syndrome, are genetic conditions and might be inherited. Some, such as Moebius syndrome, are very rare whilst others, such as acne, are more common.
Why might support be needed?
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Living with a visible difference can be difficult. It can involve a host of challenges, such as worries about school, work, relationships or treatment, and facing uncomfortable social situations due to the reactions and behaviours of other people including staring, avoidance, questions or comments. Sadly, negative stereotypes and assumptions about visible difference are still common, and some people experience stigma and discrimination.
Yet, many people who have a visible difference manage the issues they face very well. They might be described as resilient, having adapted or positively adjusted, and some show positive growth from their experiences.
But some people report feelings of anxiety and depression, negative self-perceptions, self-esteem issues, and avoid social situations including romantic and intimate relationships. The emotional impact can extend to family members, especially parents. For some people, the impact can be significant and long-lasting.
People who are finding this situation difficult could benefit from support. But it’s important to recognise that people’s experiences and need for support can change over time. Someone who is managing well at the moment might want some support in the future, and people who are struggling now won’t always be in that situation.
However, it’s not always easy for people to get the support that could help them or change public attitudes, when it is needed. In a survey of 550 adults with a range of visible differences (Clement et al., 2025), people wanted support with accepting their appearance, confidence, self-esteem and mental health. Many sought help on talking to others about their appearance, addressing questions and reactions, and managing social situations. They wanted easy access to evidence-based information and support, from healthcare professionals and online and digital platforms. They also wanted healthcare professionals to be aware of the issues being faced and the support that is available.
Why has The Visible Difference Support Hub been created?
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We want to make sure that the resources that have been developed and tested by teams at the Centre for Appearance Research are easily accessible to the people who might benefit from them. This is why we have created The Visible Difference Support Hub. It has been informed by our research, including a survey of the support needs of over 500 adults with a range of visible differences, and what they take into consideration when looking for support.
Some of the resources on this website have been developed for specific conditions, such as burns, craniosynostosis, eczema and CMN (congenital melanocytic naevus). However, most of the resources are generic, meaning they are suitable for people with any kind of visible difference.
Who has been involved?
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The resources on The Visible Difference Support Hub have all been created and evaluated by experts in visible difference research based at the Centre for Appearance Research at the University of the West of England, in Bristol. We are very grateful to everyone who has taken part in our research, to the many people who have been members of our advisory groups, and to the various organisations and health professionals who have supported our research and guided our work to develop this website. We could not have created this website or the resources on it without their valuable input.