SCARS, birthmarks and other skin problems can be embarrassing and disfiguring, no matter what your age or gender.

Dazzling the world in a wedding dress, bearing all in a bikini or just walking down the street can be distressing events for people who more often hide behind their hair

or clothes.

For those people, skin camouflaging could provide the help they need to face the world.

The British Red Cross has offered its special skin camouflaging service since 1975, at the request of the Department of Health.

In partnership with York Hospital, the Red Cross runs fortnightly advice clinics for people worried about skin disfigurements with volunteer Linda Ali.

Linda helps the patient finds a blend of special covering cream that matches their skin tone, that can be applied to the skin to help disguise the abnormality.

The patient is shown how to apply the creams and given a letter to take to their GP, stating which creams to prescribe.

When applied properly, the creams can last for days, even providing cover after sunbathing or swimming.

Red Cross representative Stephanie Brayshaw said some people found skin camouflaging a life-changing experience.

"Skin camouflage is effective in covering a variety of conditions such as vitiligo, rosacea, lupus, birthmarks and pigmentation problems, as well as helping to cover scarring from burns, assault and surgery," she said.

"The service is open to men, women and children on referral from a health professional.

"A skin camouflage appointment takes about an hour, and during that time the Red Cross volunteer will find the best skin match to the natural skin tone to give the most effective and long-lasting results.

"Properly applied and set, the cover creams can stay on the body for up to four days and on the face for 12-18 hours.

"They are waterproof, so users can swim or shower with them on."

In 2004, more than 260 people in Yorkshire took part in the camouflage clinics.

People who can no longer be helped by laser treatment, or who have had self harmed, have also taken up the service.

"It is also useful for scarring from operations," said Stephanie. "Maybe a lady has had breast cancer and wants to wear a strappy top but is worried about scarring.

"In that situation, they may have had such invasive surgery that they don't want any more surgery but they are conscious of the scar.

"The main benefit of skin camouflaging is that it increases people's self-confidence and transforms their lives.

"Linda has seen people visibly upset in the clinic when they walk in with what they consider to be a disfiguring scar, and when they've walked out they've wanted to hug her and say: "Thank you so much, you've made such a difference,."

Dr Sharmila Das, consultant dermatologist at York Hospital, said: "The Red Cross service complements the work we do in dermatology well and provides a means of support and reassurance for our patients.

"Feedback from our patients has been complimentary."

Linda runs fortnightly or monthly clinics in the hospital's dermatology departments on a Monday afternoon.

If you would like to be referred, visit your GP or write to the British Red Cross, 182 Chanterlands Avenue, Hull, HU5 4DJ.

Updated: 10:38 Friday, October 14, 2005