The experience of using skin camouflage and the need for self help

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A qualitative examination of the experience of using skin camouflage and the need for self-help.

• IRAS ID

  162194

• Contact name

  Madeline Pasterfield

• Contact email

  m.pasterfield@sheffield.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Research and Development Department

• Research summary

  This is a qualitative, interview based study. We would like to interview people who are using skin camouflage to cover a visible skin condition, mark or scar. Skin camouflage is a cream which is applied to the skin and designed to blend with the natural skin colour. There have been no qualitative studies in this area before.

  The study has two main aims:
  1) To examine the experience of using skin camouflage to cover a visible mark or scar and the impact this has on participants’ lives. This will be done using a semi-structured interview. The data will be analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).
  2) To explore the views of skin camouflage service users on the acceptability, usability, and need for a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) self-help intervention focussing on increasing social confidence that might be offered alongside camouflage. This will be done using a ‘Think aloud’ methodology where participants are asked to read the self-help intervention and speak aloud their thoughts. This will be followed by a semi-structured interview. This data will be analysed using Thematic Analysis.

  Interviews will encompass both aims and will last for approximately 90 minutes. Interviews will be conducted in the participants’ homes. Participants will also be asked to fill in two questionnaires (one rating their level of anxiety and one rating their quality of life) and also a demographics questionnaire.

  Participants will be recruited from two main places:
  a) By re-approaching a sample of participants who consented to be part of a related previous feasibility study.
  b) Through voluntary sector organisations that run camouflage clinics.

• REC name

  West of Scotland REC 3

• REC reference

  14/WS/1071

• Date of REC Opinion

  22 Aug 2014

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion