Therapy makeup improves quality of life of patients with skin diseases - covering foundations created by integration of medical and beauty care for severe skin color problems

IFSCC Magazine, 11 (2008) (1) 11–18 In collaboration with medical institutions, we have been providing makeup guidance to people with facial skin color problems under the name »therapy makeup«. The aim of therapy makeup is to reduce the anxiety and tension associated with the appearance of people with skin color problems and to provide psychological support, thereby helping them live more normal lives. Ota's nevus (blue birthmarks) and port-wine stain (red birthmarks) the leading causes of abnormal skin coloration. We have already developed covering foundations for Ota's nevus and port-wine stain using a light-filtering technology. Another common cause of abnormal skin coloration is vitiligo (white patches). Vitiligo cannot be adequately covered by conventional cosmetic foundations. Therefore, we developed a new covering foundation for vitiligo based on optical characteristics. Moreover, the effects of makeup on the psychology of patients with vitiligo were objectively evaluated using psychometrically established quality of life indices. It was demonstrated that makeup helped to alleviate the psychological anxiety and tension of patients, resulting in improvement of social relationships and self-esteem. The integration of medical care and beauty care enables therapy makeup to improve quality of life of patients with skin color disorders.