World Journal of Endocrine Surgery

Register      Login

VOLUME 12 , ISSUE 1 ( January-April, 2020 ) > List of Articles

Original Article

Effect of Skin Camouflage Therapy on Conventional Thyroidectomy Scars: A Pilot Study from Singapore

Citation Information : Effect of Skin Camouflage Therapy on Conventional Thyroidectomy Scars: A Pilot Study from Singapore. World J Endoc Surg 2020; 12 (1):5-8.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10002-1289

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 30-10-2020

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2020; The Author(s).


Abstract

Introduction: Conventional thyroidectomy comprises the main bulk of thyroid surgeries despite the ongoing thrust toward minimally invasive approaches. In young patients, the cosmetic impact of a neck scar can affect the quality of life. The role of skin camouflage on thyroidectomy scars has not been evaluated. We evaluated the acceptance and satisfaction of skin camouflage therapy for conventional thyroidectomy. Materials and methods: Over a 6-month period, 20 patients (M:F 2:18) and mean age 35 (24–44) years with conventional thyroidectomy scars underwent three sessions of the skin camouflage therapy by a trained skin camouflage therapist 4 weeks apart. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) form was used to evaluate the usefulness of skin camouflage therapy on thyroidectomy scars. An independent reviewer administered the DLQI questionnaire before and after the skin camouflage therapy sessions. Results: No reported side effects were noted in any patient. The overall DLQI scores pre and postapplication of skin camouflage showed improvement (mean 9.65 vs 10.9, respectively, SD 5.18 SE 1.15, p value <0.294) but did not reach statistical significance. Improvements were also noted in daily activities, leisure, work, choice of clothing, and personal relationships. Patients’ self-confidence during interaction with people showed a statistically significant improvement (SD 0.887, SE 0.198, p value <0.012). In all, 75% (n = 15) respondents expressed a strong liking and satisfaction recommending its use for others and continued usage of skin camouflage at 1-year follow-up. Conclusion: Majority of the patients were very satisfied with the cosmetic effect of skin camouflage and showed significant improvement in their self-confidence.


HTML PDF Share
  1. Chaung K, Duke WS, Oh SJ, et al. Aesthetics in thyroid surgery: the patient perspective. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2017;157(3):40915. DOI: 10.1177/0194599817711886.
  2. Choi Y, Lee JH, Kim YH, et al. Impact of post thyroidectomy scar on the quality of life of thyroid cancer patients. Ann Dermatol 2014;26(6):693–699. DOI: 10.5021/ad.2014.26.6.693.
  3. Russell JO, Noureldine SI, Al Khadem MG, et al. Minimally invasive and remote-access thyroid surgery in the era of the 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol 2016;1(6):175–179. DOI: 10.1002/lio2.36.
  4. Tanioka M, Yamamoto Y, Kato M, et al. Camouflage for patients with vitiligo vulgaris improved their quality of life. J Cosmet Dermatol 2010;9(1):72–75. DOI: 10.1111/j.1473-2165.2010.00479.x.
  5. Morgan M, McCreedy R, Simpson J, et al. Dermatology quality of life scales—a measure of the impact of skin diseases. Br J Dermatol 1997;136(2):202–206. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1997.tb14896.x.
  6. Boehncke WH, Ochsendorf F, Paeslack I, et al. Decorative cosmetics improve the quality of life in patients with disfiguring skin diseases. Eur J Dermatol 2002;12(6):577–580.
  7. Finlay AY, Khan GK. Dermatology life quality index (DLQI)—a simple practical measure for routine clinical use. Clin Exp Dermatol 1994;19(3):210–216. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2230.1994.tb01167.x.
  8. Steinman DA, Steinman HK. Skin camouflage ch 9. In: Kaminer MS, Arndt KA, Dover JS, ed. Atlas of Cosmetic Surgery. 2nd ed., Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2009. p. 107–116.
  9. Holme SA, Beattie PE, Fleming CJ. Cosmetic camouflage advice improves quality of life. Br J Dermatol 2002;147(5):946–949. DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2002.04900.x.
  10. Viera MH, Amini S, Huo R, et al. Cosmetic camouflage for scars. J Cosmet Dermatol 2009;22(5):260–263.
  11. Langlois JH, Kalakanis L, Rubenstein AJ, et al. Maxims or myths of beauty? A meta-analytic and theoretical review. Psychol Bull 2000;126(3):390–423. DOI: 10.1037/0033-2909.126.3.390.
  12. Martin L, Byrnes M, McGarry S, et al. Social challenges of visible scarring after severe burn: a qualitative analysis. Burns 2017;43(1): 76–83. DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2016.07.027.
  13. Gangl M. Scar effects of unemployment: an assessment of institutional complementarities. Am Sociol Rev 2006;71(6):986–1013. DOI: 10.1177/000312240607100606.
  14. Harcourt D, Hamlet C, Feragen KB, et al. The provision of specialist psychosocial support for people with visible differences: a european survey. Body Image 2008;25:35–39. DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2018.02.001.
  15. Sidle DM, Decker JR. Use of makeup, hairstyles, glasses, and prosthetics as adjuncts to scar camouflage. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am 2011;19(3):481–489. DOI: 10.1016/j.fsc.2011.06.004.
  16. Rani Z, Khan MS, Aman S, et al. Quality of life issues and new benchmarks in the assessment of skin diseases. J Pak Assoc Dermatol 2005;15:339–344.
  17. Chaturvedi SK, Singh G, Gupta N. Stigma experience in skin disorders: an Indian perspective. Dermatol Clin 2005;23(4):635–642. DOI: 10.1016/j.det.2005.05.007.
  18. Lawrence JW, Rosenberg L, Mason S, et al. Comparing parent and child perceptions of stigmatizing behaviour experienced by children with burn scars. Body Image 2011;8(1):70–73. DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2010.09.004.
  19. Strauss RP, Ramsey BL, Edwards T, et al. Stigma experiences in youth with facial differences: a multi-site study of adolescents and their mothers. Orthodo Craniofac Res 2007;10(2):96–103. DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-6343.2007.00383.x.
  20. Brown BC, McKenna SP, Siddhi K, et al. The hidden cost of skin scars: quality of life after skin scarring. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2008;61(9):1049–1058. DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2008.03.020.
  21. Gooderham MS, Papp K. The psychosocial impact of hidradenitis suppurative. J Am Acad Dermatol 2015;73(5S1):19–22. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2015.07.054.
  22. Rumsey N, Clarke A, White P, et al. Altered body image: appearance-related concerns of people with visible disfigurement. J Adv Nurs 2004;48(5):443–453. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2004.03227.x.
  23. Halvorsen JA, Stern RS, Dalgard F, et al. Suicidal ideation, mental health problems and social impairment are increased in adolescents with acne: a population based study. J Invest Dermatol 2011;131(2):363–370. DOI: 10.1038/jid.2010.264.
  24. Dunn LK, O'Neill JL, Fiedman SR. Acne in adolescents: quality of life, self-esteem, mood and psychosocial disorders. Dermatol Online J 2011;17(1):1.
  25. Baubet T, Ranque B, Taieb, et al. Mood and anxiety disorders in systemic sclerosis patients. Presse Med 2011;40(2):e111–e119. DOI: 10.1016/j.lpm.2010.09.019.
  26. Rayner VL. Cosmetic rehabilitation. Dermatol Nurs 2000;12(4): 267–271.
  27. Kim EK, Chang TJ, Hong JP, et al. Use of tattooing to camouflage various scars. Aesthetic Plast Surg 2011;35(3):392–395. DOI: 10.1007/s00266-011-9698-8.
  28. McMichael L. Skin camouflage. BMJ 2012;344:d7921. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.d7921.
  29. Jones AL, Kramer RS. Facial cosmetics and attractiveness: comparing the effect sizes of professionally applied cosmetics and identity. PloS One 2016;11(10):e0164218. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone. 0164218.
  30. Khanche S. Changing faces: exploring the use of skin camouflage. Dermatol Nurs 2012;11(4):44–47.
  31. Korichi R, Pelle-de-Queral D, Gazano G, et al. Why women use makeup: implications of psychological traits in makeup functions. J Cosmet Sci 2008;59(2):127–137.
PDF Share
PDF Share

© Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.