Makeup does not help women with facial blemishes

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Using makeup to conceal a severe facial blemish does not improve a woman's quality of life.
It may seem obvious that having a facial blemish can have adverse psychological effects. But the impact of the problem has rarely been studied. Now a team at Ohio State University reveals what women using corrective makeup feel about their situation.

In a group of 73 women, 66 were using skin-colored foundation to conceal either facial scars, acne, melasma or hyperpigmentation. In the latter two conditions, there are dark patches on the face. The makeup is of the kind prescribed by dermatologists. The women were asked to report on their health and quality of life.

Those who used the makeup had a lower health-related quality of life than those who did not use it. There was no link with quality of life and the type or severity of the blemish. But the majority of the women, whether or not they wore makeup, felt their lives would be better without the blemish. The findings may lead to better types of corrective makeup and to ways of helping women cope with the psychological impact of a facial blemish.

Source
Ohio State University 8th March 2006

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