This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.

Cosmetic camouflage therapy had emotional benefits for patients

Patients with visible facial skin conditions, including vitiligo and acne, reaped significant emotional benefits from cosmetic camouflage therapy, according to study results.

Researchers in the department of dermatology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York searched PubMed and Scopus databases to identify studies evaluating quality of life (QoL) in patients after camouflage therapy for facial skin conditions. Search terms included: cosmetic camouflage, make up, QoL, emotional benefit, rosacea, psoriasis, acne, vitiligo, melasma and facial skin lesions.

Cosmetic camouflage therapy can provide patients — whose skin conditions can increase their risk for depression, diminished self-esteem and anxiety — with rapid and dramatic results, the researchers said.

Of their findings, researchers identified and included seven clinical studies or reports for review. Vitiligo was the most studied condition with regard to the effect of camouflage therapy on QoL. Researchers said in every vitiligo study “significant improvements in [DLQI; Dermatology Life Quality Index] scores have been noted.”

In a study involving more than 135 cases of pigmentation disorders, scarring and vascular skin conditions, researchers reported that patients’ mean DLQI scores dropped from 9.1 before cosmetic camouflage consultation to 5.8 when assessed 1 month later. Another study of women (n=20) that included acne and rosacea conditions resulted in decreases in mean DLQI from 9.2 to 5.5.

The researchers also identified products they used to treat patients in prior clinical encounters, from consultations with other experts or from clinical studies or case reports reviewed.

“Our patients were severe cases and described dramatic improvement after introduction of camouflage makeup,” the researchers said. “Although no systemic assessment of their QoL was performed, we conclude that additional research is needed to compare the available therapies with regard to ingredients, patient satisfaction, ease of use and effects on concomitant medical treatments.”