Cosmetic camouflage

"Camouflage makeup provides immediate appearance improvement and significantly reduces the downtime associated with ablative procedures and dissatisfaction and anxiety after unintentional and sometimes unavoidable bruising and wounding. It also is an effective adjunct in the treatment of medical conditions such as acne, rosacea, vitiligo, hyperpigmentation, hemangiomas and scars," says Howard K. Steinman, M.D., of MD Skin Esthetics, Chula Vista, Calif.

Psychological issues

Camouflage makeup provides an immediate appearance improvement early in a patient's treatment course and helps achieve a greater patient satisfaction following cosmetic procedures. It can also help decrease the cosmetic surgeon's anxiety post-procedure.

Specially formulated

"Camouflage makeup treats both the skin and the patient's psyche as a sometimes very-much-needed psychological support. It positively affects the attitude of others toward the patient, as well as their attitude toward the cosmetic procedure and the surgeon who performed it," Dr. Steinman says.

Following a standard ablative cosmetic procedure, doctors see the often considerable discoloration of post-operative healing in their patients as "normal." Dr. Steinman says that despite meticulous pre-op education, some patients are still surprised and concerned by their appearance post-op.

Incorporating makeup

Dr. Steinman says that it is important to incorporate camouflage makeup as well as paramedical camouflage therapists into a medical and cosmetic practice. These professionals are often highly skilled makeup artists or aestheticians. Following their comprehensive makeup, clinical and psychological training obtained in hands-on courses, these paramedical camouflage therapists have an insight and learn to understand the unique psyche of trauma and surgery patients, surgical procedures and skin conditions, as well as post-op skincare.

"There are several benefits to having a paramedical camouflage therapist work in a doctor's office. The physician will automatically have a greater credibility, and their presence demonstrates the care and concern of the surgeon for his patients. Also, these professionals develop a special rapport with the patient and often receive important patient information," Dr. Steinman says.

Paramedical camouflage therapists "are invaluable when it comes to reassuring the uncertain, red, peeling, bruised or still-wrinkled patient that they will have a great result," Dr. Steinman says.