Scientists have created the thickest ever foundation that deep fills facial scars and can make the disappear.
The cosmetic product, currently unnamed, offers hope for thousands of patients living with deep scars on their face.
Japanese researchers tested their product on 18 patients, who were happy with how the cream filled in their facial scars.
It works in the same way as facial foundations, the experts say, but is made with additional ‘thickening’ ingredients.
The cosmetic product, currently unnamed, offers hope for thousands of patients living with deep scars on their face (one of the women involved in the study before trying the cream)
Japanese researchers tested their product on 18 patients, who were happy with how the cream filled in their facial scars (the same woman is pictured with the cream on her scar)
Scientists at Tohoku University in Sendai, led by Dr Shigeto Koyama, say their cream is ‘inconspicuous’ and ‘harmless’.
The team based their experiment on Japanese skincare firm Shiseido Co’s ‘Perfect Cover Foundation Flat Changer’.
Each of the patients had small to moderate deformities, including one who had undergone surgery to remove a tumour in her jaw area.
They all received counselling for their appearance and then underwent a test to match the colour of the cream to their skin.
A professional make-up artist applied the material – which can be worn for up to eight hours – and taught the patient how to do it for themselves.
Satisfaction about their appearance before and after using the cream was measured using a scale of 1-100.
Although all patients were happier after the application, those with scarring around the forehead and nose had the smallest boosts.
Dr Koyama and colleagues suspect this is because scars on the forehead and nose can be already camouflaged with hair or glasses.
They have now called for further trials on scores more patients to test the effectiveness of the cream on different areas of the body.
Commenting on the findings, Dr Koyama said: ‘Facial scarring affects the self-esteem of many people to varying degrees.
‘We are pleased the patients in this study were more satisfied with their appearance after the cosmetic treatment.’
He added they ‘would like to further investigate if it could be a long-term solution for more people’.
Patients with noticeable scarring around the jaws and face, called concavities, often experience emotional stress related to the way they look.
Many find it difficult to accept their appearance. Facial prostheses are sometimes prescribed, but can be restrictive and hard to fit properly.
The results of Dr Koyama and team’s study, funded by Shiseido Co, were published in the Journal of Prosthodontic Research.
Dr Juber Hafiji, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokespersonm told MailOnline: ‘Although this study shows promising results with regards to minimising scarring with a novel cosmetic product, the number of participants in the study was rather small.
‘Further research is required with a larger cohort of patients to provide further evidence to support the findings of this study.’