Cosmetic Skin Camouflage In Ealing

Skin camouflage is defined as being, “a simple solution for complex problems and is generally accepted that it can be a vital tool during the early stages of a person’s rehabilitation and adjustment to an altered image. However, for others, using skin camouflage may need to be considered as a long-term process."

Skin camouflage was pioneered during the Second World War to help aircrews after they had undergone plastic surgery procedures.

During the 1950’s Joyce Allsworth researched and implemented the concept of skin camouflage within the United Kingdom. Joyce Allsworth was instrumental in training members of the British Red Cross in camouflage and was involved in setting up the clinics in hospitals around the country.

This work was complemented by a comprehensive training programme designed to increase the number of graduates in this specialist area by training medical professionals, make-up artists and beauty therapists too. The pioneering work by Joyce Allsworth has resulted in a network of practitioners being set up internationally.

Skin camouflage techniques can be used over a number of non-infectious skin conditions, however, always seek medical confirmation on appropriate use. These include:

• erythema (where the affected skin is redder than the surrounding); this could also include application following some non-invasive cosmetic treatments
• hyperpigmentation (where the affected skin is darker than the surrounding)
• hypopigmentation (where the affected skin is pale to the surrounding)
• depigmentation (where the affected skin has no pigment whatsoever)
• scarring resulting from trauma caused by accident, violence (including self-harm), surgery (including reconstructive and cosmetic procedures); providing the wound is “healed and sealed”. Skin camouflage should not be applied directly over a burn injury but may be used over skin grafts which have completely healed post burn injury or removal of a skin cancer.
• unwanted tattoos (from radiography as well as decorative body art)

Examples of suitable skin conditions for skin camouflage would include:

• Acne
• Age spots (lentigines) and solar lentigo
• Bruises
• Chloasma and Melasma
• Dark under eye circles (chloasma)
• Port Wine Stains (naevus flammeus)
• Psoriasis
• Rosacea
• Scar tissue
• Stretch marks (striae distensae)
• Thread veins (telangiectasia)
• Vitiligo and Leucodermas

Skin camouflage is suitable for men, women and children, irrespective of ethnic skin colour and religion.

Skin camouflage may be suitable for school aged children (pre-puberty), if deemed appropriate by a doctor, but it should never be used on babies to cover birthmarks for example, unless at the specific request of a medical practitioner.

A consultation will usually take approximately one hour - for which there will normally be a charge. This charge will not include the cost of any creams for your future use. One visit however is usually sufficient to teach you how to conceal the blemish.

Some camouflage creams are available through the NHS and can be prescribed by your doctor.

The products can also be ordered at local pharmacies or purchased directly from the manufacturers or distributors.
The prices of creams will vary according to the brand and type used.

There are five main brands of skin camouflage creams; Covermark , Dermablend , Dermacolor, Keromask and Veil. However, as skin colours and conditions differ it is advisable to seek professional help to find the right brand for you.

Please note that results vary and are dependent upon both the patient and the skill of the individual practitioner.

We are grateful to the association known as  British Association of Skin Camouflage (dissolved 2023) for allowing us to include images that illustrate before and after the application of skin camouflage in a variety of cases.

Keloid to chest. Scarring remains unaltered, but the erythema becomes less noticeable.

Vascular disturbance & atrophic scar to neck. Vascular malfunction following tumour removal, patient did not want 100% cover, just sufficient to make the neck less noticeable.

Port Wine Stain to face. Decorative make up can be applied over set skin camouflage (note, complementary green primer not required for this stain)

Psoriasis on hand. Fixing spray will help keep camouflage to back of hands and fingers, but is not recommended to ventral.

Leucoderma to male chin. Fake beard stubble, using a camouflage crème, has also been applied.

Foot with hypertrophic scar. Allows person to wear open shoes or be barefoot.

Burn Injury to face. The camouflage area will appear more pale when viewed as a photographic image when the flash mechanism is activated, however this can be minimised by selecting products that do not contain titanium dioxide and/or iron oxide.

Scarring from mesh graft, required following burn injury

Vitiligo on both hands -  left hand with camouflage applied. Copyright BASC Member 2160. 

Please note all images are published with kind permission from The British Association of Skin Camouflage (dissolved 2023) , are under the BASC Copyright and cannot be copied or reproduced without their permission