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Skin Camouflage

Checked: 20-11-2023 by Sandi Littler Next Review: 19-11-2025

Overview

Referrals to the NHS for skin camouflage are not routinely funded and are subject to the Skin Camouflage Services Policy - Prior Approval.

Alternative Services

Changing Faces

Alternative services are provided in the community by charitable organisations such as that provided by Changing Faces at local clinics in Bristol and Taunton as well as other centres close to the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) area.

Changing Faces supports people who have any condition or injury that affects their appearance by giving advice on camouflage products. Patients from the BNSSG area can refer themselves to the service for an initial consultation. This is routinely funded by the NHS and does not require an application form, or a GP referral.

Further information, including details of the services offered, clinic locations and how to make an appointment, are available on their website at the link above.

Camouflage Products

Skin Camouflage Products and Masking Creams

Patients can buy make-up that's specially designed for covering scars from pharmacies. It can be particularly useful for facial scars.

The skin camouflage service run by the Changing Faces charity (see above) may be able to help advise on appropriate products. Fully trained skin camouflage practitioners will be able to find a good colour match for individual skin tones and teach patients how to apply the make-up. It's waterproof and can stay in place for two or three days.

Please note, however, that these products are not routinely available on the NHS and therefore cannot be prescribed. Camouflage clinics are able to direct patients to obtain these privately if they choose to do so.

Silicone Products

Silicone gels or sheets can be used on healing skin (not open wounds) to help soften and flatten a scar. They can also relieve itching and discomfort.

To be effective, silicone gels or sheets should be placed over the scar for 12 hours a day for at least three months. They can be washed and reused.

Changing Faces or a pharmacist may be able to recommend a suitable silicone-based scar treatment for individual patients - again these are not available on NHS prescription.

Efforts are made to ensure the accuracy and agreement of these guidelines, including any content uploaded, referred to or linked to from the system. However, BNSSG ICB cannot guarantee this. This guidance does not override the individual responsibility of healthcare professionals to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer, in accordance with the mental capacity act, and informed by the summary of product characteristics of any drugs they are considering. Practitioners are required to perform their duties in accordance with the law and their regulators and nothing in this guidance should be interpreted in a way that would be inconsistent with compliance with those duties.

Information provided through Remedy is continually updated so please be aware any printed copies may quickly become out of date.