Felicity's story: "The most important thing that skin camouflage gives you is choice"
After using skin camouflage products since she was a child, Felicity decided to become a Skin Camouflage Practitioner - and support others using our service.
On this page
Skin camouflage is where specialist creams and powders are used on your face or body to reduce the appearance of your scar, mark or condition (a visible difference). The products can be used on all genders and children over the age of five, with shades for all skin tones.
We provide a Skin Camouflage Service because not everyone is comfortable with their visible difference. Our service offers you a choice over your appearance and a sense of control over how you want to look day to day. We know that this can build confidence and help you feel more empowered.
We offer free appointments with trained skin camouflage practitioners across England and Scotland.
On this page we cover what skin camouflage is and how it may help you, who it is suitable for and what happens during a Skin Camouflage Service appointment.
What is skin camouflage?
Skin camouflage products are highly pigmented creams and powders that provide a heavier coverage than high-street make-up brands and last longer. You apply these products over your scar, mark or non-infectious skin condition to reduce their appearance.
Skin camouflage is long-lasting, waterproof and can be used on your face or body. The products come in an array of shades and colours, so they can be used on all skin tones.
After my first application I felt confidence that I have not felt in years.
Is skin camouflage suitable for me?
Skin camouflage can be used on all genders and anyone over the age of five. The products are suitable for all skin tones and for such a wide range of marks, scars or skin conditions that it isn’t possible to list them all here. The following are just a small number of the conditions that people use it for:
- Vitiligo or loss of skin colour.
- Healed scars, including acne scarring and self-harm scars.
- Hyperpigmentation, for example, from melasma (also called chloasma).
- Birthmarks.
- Healed burns.
Skin camouflage cannot be applied to infected, inflamed or broken skin. It also cannot level out raised scars, fill in indented scars or alter the skin’s texture – it’s a tool for covering an area of skin with a colour that matches the surrounding area.
If you’re not sure if our service is suitable for you, then please do get in touch by emailing [email protected] or calling 0300 012 0276.
I have had a lot of people asking me what I have done to my face which has knocked my confidence. Because of the lady helping me, with not only matching my colour but also showing me how to apply, I feel much better about myself.
About the Changing Faces Skin Camouflage Service
We offer face-to-face appointments with trained practitioners at clinics across England and Scotland. We also offer advice sessions online and over the phone. We’ve provided information below about what happens in a skin camouflage appointment and our advice sessions.
What happens in a skin camouflage appointment?
The video below, which was created thanks to a generous grant from the British Association of Dermatologists, talks you through what happens during an appointment. It was made before the pandemic and some of the information relates specifically to face-to-face appointments rather than our online advice sessions. However, it is useful for you whether you are interested in a face-to-face appointment or an online session.
Face-to-face appointments
During your appointment, the practitioner will firstly ask how they can help you and listen to your needs. After that, they will show you the range of products and ask to look at your skin.
With your input, the practitioner will then carry out a colour match. This is when the camouflage creams are applied to your skin in small amounts to see which shades match your skin. When you have found a match that you’re happy with, the practitioner will apply this cream and then add a powder.
During your appointment, the practitioner will demonstrate how to apply the creams and powders. You’ll also have the opportunity to have a go yourself so that you know how to apply the products on your face or body.
You’ll leave the appointment with a list of recommended products to either request a prescription from your GP or buy the products yourself.
The lady was so kind and a great listener with a great sense of humour. She was so lovely and put me at ease straight away. I cannot wait to go out with my camouflage on. Massive thank you for all your advice.
For more information about the products that our practitioners use as well as prescriptions, visit our products and prescriptions page.
We have made sure our face-to-face appointments are COVID-safe. You can read about the measures we take in our Q&A section below.
Online and phone appointments
As in a face-to-face appointment, you will speak to an experienced practitioner to talk about your individual skin camouflage needs. Your confidential session will last about 30 minutes.
While it’s not possible to receive a colour match online, there are other ways your practitioner will support you. You might want to know whether skin camouflage is for you, which application techniques might work best or how to make products last longer.
After the session, your practitioner will email you a summary of what was discussed plus relevant additional advice and support.
