title: Cosmetic camouflage advice improves quality of life.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The subjective benefit of attendance at cosmetic clinics has not previously been reported.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect on perceived quality of life (QoL) of cosmetic camouflage advice.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a three-centre study, 135 individuals were invited to complete a dermatology-specific QoL measure, the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), before and 1 month after their first visit to a cosmetic camouflage clinic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-two completed DLQI questionnaires were returned before the camouflage clinic appointment, and 56 corresponding questionnaires were returned 1 month after. The mean age of responders was 50 years, and the mean duration of their skin conditions was 15 years. The main conditions seen were pigmentary disorders (29%), scars (22%) and vascular disorders (13%). There was a significant difference in mean DLQI scores before and after the clinic visit (9.1 vs. 5.8, P = 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When assessed at 1 month, attendance at a cosmetic camouflage clinic appears to improve QoL significantly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XW, U.K. saholme@hotmail.com
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Holme
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Beattie
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Fleming
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011788:Quality of Life; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017445:Skin Diseases, Vascular / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics