Since 2015 we have been using silicone therapy products for scarring alongside our skin camouflage applications to try and understand how this product partnership could practically work.

Over time these products have improved, and we have evolved our own expert techniques for incorporating their use into our skin camouflage practice. Our aim was to ensure that our patients can still reap the benefits of silicone therapy for their scars without compromising the quality of their skin camouflage effect.

We are now ready to offer advice and practical guidance on the choices available within our scar management programme in conjunction with our prescribed skin camouflage regime. This is part of our clinical practice for all our patients: Military, Rehabilitation, Expert Witness Referrals, International and Clinician or Self-referring patients.

Silicone Gel Therapy - Where a scar has healed but is still in the process of maturing, silicone gel therapy is something you may wish to consider.
Silicone gel therapy has been shown to help soften and flatten raised scars, and reduce redness and discolouration associated with them. Easy to apply and suitable for use by all age groups, silicone gel therapy can be used under the skin camouflage products prescribed for you.

Topical Silicone Dermal Filler - If you have indented or recessed scars or even ‘pock marks’ on your skin (e.g. old acne or chicken pox scars) a topical silicone dermal filler may be suitable for you, whatever your gender or skin tone. This easy to apply non-invasive skin camouflage technique evens out indented scars or recessed areas creating a natural, more even skin texture.

Topical dermal filler can be used on the face or body and once applied is durable and waterproof, withstanding the rigours of a normal day or sporting activity and will stay in place until you wish to remove it (up to 36 hours). Topical dermal fillers are compatible with your prescribed skin camouflage products and cosmetic make-up.

Specialist Scar Massage - You may have been advised by your medical/healthcare practitioner to moisturise and massage your scars after your injury or surgery as it is now well accepted that this helps repair the skin and reduce scarring.
​
The specific scar massage technique that we advocate is a very gentle but an effective approach to scar management. The technique can be used on scars large or small, anywhere on the face and body and is equally suitable for children. Scar massage also aims to soften and flatten raised areas of scarring which not only improves comfort but can also improve the overall effect of your prescribed skin camouflage creams.
Depending on your particular needs and with guidance from us, you may be able to continue the recommended scar massage techniques yourself.
​

​Vanessa Jane Davies: Skin Camouflage Consultant MEWI, MFHT, LCGI 

Melanoma UK CEO Gillian Nuttall was so moved by the plight of family friend Jon Herron after he was diagnosed with melanoma, she rallied support to create the organisation which was to become today’s Melanoma UK. Sadly, Jon died in 2008 but his legacy lives on in the mission of the charity: to raise awareness of sun safety and the risks of melanoma; 86% of melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK are preventable 1 and to provide patients diagnosed with melanoma and their families much needed information and support during difficult times. Patients, families, carers, and clinicians are at the heart of their work.

Skin Camouflage Services has been providing world class expertise in clinical skin camouflage since 2007. Led by founder Vanessa Jane Davies with 25 years in the profession, Vanessa is arguably the UK’s most experienced Skin Camouflage Consultant and Expert Witness in her field. Skin Camouflage Services provides practical skin camouflage assessment, tuition, support and where required ongoing rehabilitation to individuals affected by a huge variety of visible skin differences, including many who are living with or are recovering from melanoma. 

Skin camouflage is the skilled application of highly pigmented creams and liquids to areas of skin discolouration or scaring to even out skin tones and improve the aesthetic appearance of a person’s skin. Treatment for melanoma​ inevitably means surgery and depending on the depth or ‘Breslow thickness’ and staging of the melanoma, surgery can be minor to very major, including wide excisions requiring skin grafts which can leave significant skin discolouration and scaring. Effective treatment is of course the most important thing, but how you feel about the way you look is also an important part of one’s recovery. By skillfully concealing skin colour differences that surgery and treatment leave, skin camouflage can help, men or women of any ethnicity, even children when they are old enough to understand.

Once the best colour match and technique has been agreed, learning how to apply skin camouflage at home enables individuals to take control and manage their own appearance. To be able to go swimming, play sport, wear short sleeve tops and shorts with confidence is an important part of recovery or just living for the moment.

Vanessa is delighted to support the work of Melanoma UK; in her practice she is acutely aware of the risks of sun exposure to already damaged skin and advocates the use of high factor sun protection to every patient she sees.

If you would like to know more about Melanoma UK you can go to their website at www.melanomauk.org.uk  email info@melanomauk.org.uk or call the help line on 0808 171 2455

If you would like to know more about Skin Camouflage Services or would like to make an appointment please go to www.skincamouflageservices.co.uk, email info@skincamouflageservices.co.uk, call us 0844 504 5533

At Skin Camouflage Services we have a credible working knowledge in each of the categories listed below. Given the number of patients with burns that are referred to us, we have found it helpful to divide the general category of burns to the following subcategories: Chemical burns, Hot liquid burns, Fire burns and Electricity burns.
 
We are confident that we are ‘Fit for Practice’ not only in our clinical settings but with our expert witness reports and rehabilitation reports which are supported with expert witness training and our CPD portfolio.

We can provide references and supporting statements of our work on request.  
  

• Chemical burns
• Hot liquid burns
• Fire burns 
• Electricity burns
• Skin grafts
• Scalp and eyebrow injuries
• Skin pigmentation
• Scars from self-harm injury, road, rail & workplace accidents
• Maxillofacial Injuries
• Childhood injuries
• Dog bites
• Rehabilitation including military

Our Expert Witness Services
Led by Vanessa, Skin Camouflage Services is now in its 13th year.
 
Since 2015 Vanessa Jane Davies has chosen the renowned legal training experts Bond Solon to provide her expert witness training and has ensured her professional expert witness knowledge remains current by completing regular training with Bond Solon, The Expert Witness Institute and most recently at the Medico Legal Conference in Westminster in May 2019.

Vanessa has been a first-tier member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and on the UK Register of Expert Witnesses since 2007. To ensure that the UK Register accurately reflects her current scope of work and expertise as a Skin Camouflage expert witness, Vanessa regularly invites ‘re-vetting’ most recently in July 2019. Furthermore, Vanessa is an individual member of The Expert Witness Institute.
​

​
At Skin Camouflage Services our commitment to provide demonstrable excellence in skin camouflage services and expert legal testimony is stronger than ever. Our skin camouflage reports are based upon face to face assessment which enables an accurate expert opinion to form the basis of the quantum report. This is particularly important where the expert is the sole individual to ascertain the patients camouflage needs and wishes to gain their trust in their future skin camouflage assessments.
​
Desktop reports are not available.
​
“I would highly recommend Skin Camouflage Services for anyone that has a client with life changing scarring.  The report that I received was accurate, precise and very in depth.  It provided me with all the information and costs that my client will require now and in the future.   Their service was prompt and my emails were responded to quickly.  My client was seen and dealt with very professionally.  Vanessa Jane Davies, in particular, at Skin Camouflage Services has provided exceptional service to both this firm and to our client and her family.  I will definitely use Skin Camouflage Services again”. Thompson Smith and Puxon Solicitors (TSP) - March 2019