Irish Red Cross Skin Camouflage
History of Development
of Skin Camouflage Service
·
Early
1950’s – experimental schemes commenced in some UK hospitals using cosmetics to
improve the moral of hospital patients.
·
1959-British
Red Cross was asked to take over the scheme,
·
2003-
Irish Red Cross started Skin Camouflage in Ireland.
·
2012-
We now have a growing service with 16 Volunteer Irish Red Cross trained Skin
Camouflage Practitioners throughout the country.
What is skin camouflage? Can it help you?
Skin
Camouflage is the application of special cover creams to improve the appearance
of scarring and can dramatically help to disguise skin conditions such as
Vitiligo, Rosacea, Lupus, Birthmarks, Leg Veins, Tattoos and many
dermatological conditions.
Camouflage
creams can make a significant difference to the appearance of disfiguring skin
blemishes and can be a vital tool to help a person’s self-esteem.
Correctly
applied these creams are waterproof and may be safely left for two to three
days on the body, and for twelve to eighteen hours on the face, they contain
sun protection factor thirty and are hypo- allergenic.
At a skin
camouflage clinic an Irish Red Cross trained volunteer selects the best colour
match for the individual’s natural skin tone. Once the colour match has been
found the individual is shown how to apply the cream. To make the cream
waterproof and long lasting you will also be shown how to use a specialised
setting powder.
A selection
of shades is available through pharmacies in Ireland, other creams and setting
powders can be ordered online or through mail order. The volunteer in the
clinic gives advice as to where one can get the creams and powders.
Cork has 3
Red Cross Shin Camouflage Practitioners and monthly clinics are held in
Ballincollig. To make an appointment for advice on the use of cover creams, a
letter of referral from a GP or dermatologist is required. The appointment can
take at least one hour, and is free of charge although the Irish Red Cross is
grateful for donations to support the service.
For more
information on clinics held in Cork and throughout the country contact: Irish
Red Cross, 16 Merrion Square, Dublin 2: Tel: (01)6424600: email: info@redcross.ie. Website: w.w.w.redcross.ie
