Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to V L Rayner.
Appearance is one of the most powerful factors influencing social interactions with others. What patients with disfigurements experience from society on a daily basis is a very real stigma. Cosmetic rehabilitation is a system of cosmetic techniques devised for patients to use to assist themselves to cope constructively with the psychological and physical trauma of their disfigurements.
Camouflage therapy is a system of cosmetic techniques designed for patients to use to assist themselves in coping constructively with the psychological and physical trauma of their disfigurements. It is described as a "system" because these techniques are interrelated. A camouflage therapist may teach the patient to use one, two, or all of the techniques at the same time in order to normalize their appearance. Four basic techniques have been described in this article. They are as follows: (1) the use of opaque, waterproof cover creams to conceal scarring; (2) the application of pancake makeup for patients with oily or acne-prone skin; (3) color correctors to obliterate discoloration from postoperative trauma; and (4) recreating imperfections on the skin. For more information about the use of cosmetics to normalize the appearance of physical disfigurements, the following books are recommended.
Camouflage therapy can restore the self-esteem of the disfigured patient and thus has the potential to improve their psychological and physical well-being. Camouflage technique and the nurses' role in assessing and treating these patients are discussed.