RITA PARENTE
Scuola Sem Più s.a.s., Piazza Matteotti 72, 81100 Caserta, Italy

Abstract

The rise in general wellbeing within the population, and the idea that beauty creates affirmation and fulfilment at work and in everyday life, contribute to the ever-growing demand for cures and solutions to skin problems, which are often the cause of significant psychological strain.
Thanks to medical advances, the range of available treatments is constantly evolving. However, too often they can be inconclusive and fail to fully solve the issue. In these cases, camouflage can be a valuable addition to the work of dermatologists, aesthetic doctors and plastic surgeons.
Skin problems that can be successfully addressed by this makeup technique include vitiligo, rosacea, birthmarks, the aftermath of acne, scars, and skin discolorations such as melasma and hypermelanosis. Other applications include erythrosis resulting from medical treatments, such as chemical and mechanical peels, or minor bruising from injections or surgical therapies such as facelifts or rhinoplasty.
Such collaboration between doctors and beauticians is a synergy that enhances customer satisfaction, focusing not only on the pathogenic and therapeutic aspects of the imperfection, but also on the concomitant psychological and socio-relational effects.
Although it is a makeup technique, camouflage is now expanding its horizons beyond simply beautifying women’s faces.
It also works to conceal defects that can affect a person’s entire lifestyle. Camouflage products must be specially formulated to increase density and malleability, allowing better coverage of imperfections and greater resistance to water and sweat, to ensure it will last up to 24 hours. Furthermore, as a product that is also intended to treat sensitive and/or hyperactive skins, camouflage must be free from alcohol and perfumes, and also offer UV protection.
Given the nature of these products, it is essential that they are applied by properly trained professionals, who can identify the most suitable correction level and tone for the blemish and skin type, and who are also trained in camouflage-specific application and fixing techniques.
Certainly, the quality of the products used should not be underestimated. The brand of choice must offer a wide range of colours for blending, as well as the necessary fixing powders, liquid fixatives and a special make-up remover.
In conclusion, camouflage is a valuable supporting tool that should not be overlooked by medical specialists. Beauticians and makeup artists, as experts in the field, should promote this technique not only to hide flaws but also as a beauty makeup that is perfect for those who prefer a more matte look, with lasting results and effective protection from harmful solar rays.

In today’s society, dominated by mass media and advertising, personal image is very important to many people, regardless of sex or age.

Those who do not meet society’s expectations of beauty, where appearance can be valued more than substance, too often end up feeling rejected or inadequate.
This is especially the case for those who are suffering from skin blemishes, scars or congenital disfigurements that cannot be corrected with common dermatological or cosmetic surgery methods. In such cases most blemishes can be addressed, with impressive results, using camouflage makeup.

The purpose of camouflage, also known as ‘psychological’ or ‘interface’ makeup, is to help the wearer project a better physical image, creating a feeling of greater ease in social situations. The degree of disfigurement often bears no relation to the emotional effect felt by the subject. Even a small defect, congenital or acquired, if perceived differently by the subject, can seriously affect their life.

The camouflage makeup technique is based on a range of camouflage foundations, concealers and accessories which, thanks to their specific formulation, are extrem ...