Emotional benefit of cosmetic camouflage in the treatment of facial skin conditions: personal experience and review

Figures & data

Figure 1 Patient with melasma after half-face treatment with cosmetic camouflage (left face treated).

Note: Notice the significant difference in skin color and texture on the right side of the face as compared with the left, with normalization of the skin texture and tone.

Figure 2 Severe acne (A) before and (B) after treatment with cosmetic camouflage prior to initiation of medical therapy.

Note: A noticeable and immediate improvement is seen.

Table 1 Popular coverage foundations commonly available*

Product	Unit price**	Key ingredients	Added benefits
CoverFX Total Cream Foundation SPF 30	$42.00	Sunscreen actives (octinoxate 7.5%, octocrylene 5%, oxybenzone 2%), bisabolol (chamomile), vitamin E (tocopherol), carnauba wax, and beeswax	For all skin types; free of oil, fragrance, and parabens; noncomedogenic; provides an environmental shield from wind, sun, and pollution; sun protection; full coverage for various skin conditions from acne and rosacea to post-surgical bruising, vitiligo, and tattoos; 2-in-1 concealer plus foundation; available in over 30 shades; DermaFix technology giving water resistance and the ability to build coverage in problem areas
Dermablend Cover Cream SPF 30	$34.00	Sunscreen active titanium dioxide, mineral oil, talc, beeswax, kaolin, Copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax	Medium coverage for minor-to-moderate facial skin flaws; available in over 10 shades; lightweight texture guarantees a nonheavy feel; noncomedogenic/nonacnegenic; allergy-tested; fragrance-free
Dermablend Smooth Indulgence SPF 20 Foundation	$30.00	Sunscreen active titanium dioxide, water, dimethicone, glycerine, methylparaben	Full coverage for moderate-to-severe skin flaws; soft and velvety smooth feeling; smudge-resistant; allergy-tested; noncomedogenic/nonacnegenic; fragrance-free
Dermacolor Light Camouflage Cream	$30.00	Vitamin E (tocopherol), bisabolol (chamomile), avocado, perhydro-sqalene oil	Highly pigmented makeup for maximum correction and coverage; waterproof; available in over 16 shades
Covermark Facemagic SPF 20	$25.00	Sunscreen actives (octyl methoxycinnamate 7.5%, benzophenone 2.5%, titanium dioxide), mineral oil, beeswax, talc, dimethicone, propylparaben	Hypoallergenic; noncomedogenic; smudge-proof; hydrating; available in over 15 shades
Covermark Classic Cover	$25.00	Sunscreen active titanium dioxide, mineral oil, beeswax, magnesium carbonate, iron oxides, propylparaben, fragrance	Full coverage for serious skin flaws or discoloration; opaque coverage; waterproof; safe for sensitive skin; available in over 30 shades
Cover Blend by Exuviance Concealing Treatment Makeup SPF 20	$30.00	Sunscreen actives (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide), cyclomethicone, hydrogenated castor oil, acrylatedimethicone copolymer, vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate), stearic acid, methylparaben	Velvety cream suitable for all skin types including: skin in need of extra coverage; opaque; smudge-proof; gluconolactone (polyhydroxy acid) for antioxidant effect
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage	$28.00	Paraffin, Euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, methacrylate, carnauba wax, vitamin E (tocopherol), retinyl palmitate, silica, Matricaria recutita (chamomile) flower extract, honey extract, sunscreen active titanium dioxide	Two-shade system: one to match the skin’s depth of color and one to match the skin’s undertone; high level of pigment for full coverage

Notes:

* All information obtained from manufacturer websites;

** approximate cost of smallest available size.

Figure 3 Patient with (A) noticeable erythema and telangiectasias on the cheeks due to rosacea, and (B) immediate improvement without irritation after makeup application prior to initiation of pulsed dye laser therapy.

Table 2 Clinical studies or reports of cosmetic camouflage for skin conditions

Title of study	Condition(s)	Assessment scale(s) used	Conclusion(s)
Cosmetic camouflage advice improves QoL^Citation53	Pigmentary disorders, scars, vascular disorders	DLQI	When assessed at one month, attendance at a cosmetic camouflage clinic appeared to improve QoL scales
Camouflage for patients with vitiligo vulgaris improved their QoL^Citation54	Vitiligo	DLQI	Data support the idea that camouflage for patients with vitiligo not only covers the white patches but also improves their QoL
Effects of skin care and makeup under instruction from dermatologists on the QoL of female patients with acne vulgaris^Citation55	Acne	DLQI, WHO QoL-26	Suggests use of skin care cosmetics to complement medical treatments for acne as overall scores on both the DLQI and WHO QoL-26 improved significantly
Make-up improves the QoL of acne patients without aggravating acne eruptions during treatments^Citation56	Acne	Skindex-16, GHQ 30, WHO QoL-26, STAI, POMS, VAS	QoL scores of all scales greatly improved, suggesting dermatologists should encourage acne patients to utilize appropriate makeup to improve QoL
Decorative cosmetics improve the QoL in patients with disfiguring skin diseases^Citation37	Acne, rosacea, chronic discoid lupus, vitiligo	DLQI	Mean DLQI scores dropped significantly, suggesting that decorative cosmetics can complement the treatment of disfiguring skin diseases
Corrective camouflage in pediatric dermatology^Citation57	Acne, vitiligo, Becker’s nevus, striae distensae, allergic contact dermatitis, post-surgical scarring	N/A	All patients were satisfied with cosmetic cover results, making it a valid adjunctive therapy for use during traditional longterm treatment and as a therapeutic alternative in patients for whom conventional therapy is ineffective
QoL and stigmatization profile in a cohort of vitiligo patients and effect of use of camouflage^Citation10	Vitiligo	DLQI, stigmatization questionnaire	Camouflage can be recommended, particularly in patients with higher DLQI scores
Waterproof camouflage age for vitiligo of the face using Cavilon 3M as a spray^Citation58	Vitiligo	N/A	Waterproof camouflage for vitiligo is an easy and rapid treatment option. It is safe when applied to the skin, and very useful for patients with vitiligo of the face, especially for swimmers

Abbreviations: QoL, quality of life; DLQI, Dermatology Life Quality Index; WHO QoL-26, World Health Organization Quality of Life; GHQ, General Health Questionnaire; STAI, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; POMS, Profile of Mood States; VAS, visual analog scale.

Figure 4 Patient with (A) visible depigmented patches on the face (B) without evidence of any skin changes after application of cosmetic camouflage prior to initiation of ultraviolet B therapy.

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