Camouflage makeup improves quality of life in cancer patients with treatment-related skin changes

Abstract

Background:

Cancer treatment causes various skin appearance changes, which affect quality of life (QoL) in patients with cancer. We examined whether camouflage makeup improves QoL in these patients.

Methods:

Skindex-16 and visual analogue scale scores of 39 female patients with cancer treatment–related skin changes were compared before and 2–3 months after self-administration of camouflage makeup.

Results:

Camouflage makeup was able to conceal almost all skin changes, improving QoL scores regardless of age, diagnosis, and site of skin changes. Use frequency was significantly higher in patients with skin changes on exposed sites compared with patients with unexposed sites.

Conclusions:

Even though the patients applied the makeup only when required, they were satisfied with its effect, which improved their QoL. Moreover, the makeup had a positive effect even in patients with changes in unexposed sites, suggesting that clinicians can recommend camouflage makeup to all patients to improve QoL.