Skin Camouflage for Women Prisoners with Self-Harm Scarring
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility and Acceptability of Medical Skin Camouflage for Recovery of Women with Self-Harm Scarring in Prison.
IRAS ID
189333
Contact name
Kathryn Abel
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 2 months, 8 days
Research summary
Is medical skin camouflage feasible and acceptable for recovery of women with self-harm scarring in prison?
Women prisoners are more likely to commit suicide or self-harm than women in the community or male prisoners. Healthcare services have improved how they manage self-harm in the community and prisons. However, there has been little focus on the recovery of people with self-harm scars. Medical skin camouflage (MSC) is a type of make-up. Research on MSC has focused on its use with non-self-harm marks e.g. burns. The evidence from this research suggests that the make-up helps women feel better and do more activities. There is little/no evidence about the effects of the make-up for women who self-harm and for prisoners.
This research was funded by the NIHR RfPB. In the research we will examine whether it is possible and practical to use the make up in prison. We will ask prisoners and staff what they think about the make-up. The research has four parts. In the first part we will talk to groups of people from the prison about the best way to use the make-up and how to measure its effects. In the second part we will design a programme for the make-up application. We will then train prisoners to apply the make-up. The final part will involve 20 people using the make-up for six weeks. We will measure their mood, thoughts of self-harm and wellbeing before and after they use the make-up. We will compare these results with 20 people who have not used the make-up (control group). All women taking part will be placed at random into the control or the treatment group. The control group will receive the make-up after the research has ended.
Potential benefits of this study may be an increase in self-esteem and quality of life for the women prisoners. As women recover they may be less likely to self-harm.
REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NE/0404
Date of REC Opinion
23 Dec 2015
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion