From Get Reading

Dr Ingrid Wilson found summer had become a time to cover up

Dr Ingrid Wilson is a GP who has worked throughout Reading over a number of years

Now that the fine summer weather has finally arrived I find myself thinking about what summery skirt or dress to wear.

I know this sounds really vain, but up until 10 years ago I really looked forward to  the summer weather because my legs were so smooth I could get away without wearing tights.   Most of my work colleagues had lighter skins than me, and they often commented on how jealous they were of my darker shins!  Sadly I no longer receive those sorts of comments. Why?  10 years ago my lower left leg was burned from halfway down my shin, to the front of my ankle.  Several months and one skin graft later, I was left with a band of white skin as wide as a chunky bangle around my ankle.

When the consultant plastic surgeon who performed my skin graft told me that it would take 10 years for the pigment to come back, I couldn’t believe it. I imagined the rest of my life spent wearing thick tights, trousers and knee high boots.  I put all of my summer skirts away.

It took me about a year to find out that I could get special make up to cover my disfigurement. This make up is known as skin camouflage. I managed to find a skin camouflage practitioner, but I was her only client with darker skin. Her make up palettes therefore did not cater for my skin colour. However to her great credit, after several visits we eventually found a matching combination of skin camouflage make up.

The skin camouflage changed my life. Although I had to allow extra time in my morning routine to put it on, it meant that I could wear skirts and dresses again.

Last year I took the opportunity to gain the Diploma in Skin Camouflage from the British Association of Skin Camouflage. Because of my personal experience, I have made sure that I have skin camouflage (make up) palettes for darker skin types like mine. I have been able to help women with darker skin types like mine cover up scars and blemishes.

For more on this story go to:

http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/news-opinion/skin-camouflage-changed-life-dr-4872626