INFORMATION SHEET FOR MAKE UP The following is information
about makeup and cosmetics which may help cover bruising,
scars, birthmarks, port-wine stains, etc. As any person
entering a drugstore or department store knows, there is
a wide variety of cosmetics available for every particular
skin type and use. There are soaps, astringents, concealers,
creams, lotions, makeup of all colors and description; the
list goes on and on. Which ones can be used? In many cases
following cosmetic surgery, the skin is "black and blue".
There are many products available which can camouflage this
bruising. The least expensive products can be found in drugstores
or discount stores. These include concealer sticks and makeup.
For many patients, these provide adequate coverage. Virtually
every cosmetics line (Cover Girl, Maybelline, Revlon, Max
Factor, etc) has some type of concealer available. For more
significant bruising, products are available at cosmetic
counters in major department stores. The advantages of these
counters is that you will have individual attention, and
the salespeople are generally knowledgeable about makeup
and its application. The one disadvantage is that these
cosmetics, while usually quite effective, may also be expensive.
If you know you bruise easily, it may be to your advantage
to purchase products before surgery. One product designed
specifically for covering bruising, birthmarks, port wine
stains, etc. is called Dermablend. This can be purchased
at Macy's. Another product is called Covermark, and
can be purchased at J.C. Penney Co. Dermablend consists
of a creamy base makeup, which should be applied first to
the skin, along with a setting powder. The cost for small
sizes of both products is approximately $20. A cleansing
lotion is also recommended for removal of the makeup, and
the cost for the lotion is $10. Dermablend also makes a
body/leg cover product for use on areas other than the face.
Covermark is similar to Dermablend both in application and
cost. All of these products are waterproof, smearproof and
come with instructions regarding application. You will be
given instructions following surgery about when you may
begin using cosmetics. We usually request that you wait
4-5 days following suture removal before applying makeup.
It is very important that makeup not be applied directly
on stitches. You may use makeup on surrounding areas. Use
of makeup on stitches can result in a permanent "tattoo"
in the area, as well as cause infection in a healing wound.
Makeup should not be applied to non-healed, open or draining
wounds. Some wounds will be red following surgery, and can
be covered with makeup, if desired, as directed. This redness
usually fades in time. It is very important that when going
out in the sun that you use a sunscreen, over healing wounds
especially. The sun tends to redden any healing wound, which
will make it more noticeable.
Information Sheet for Makeup
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