Makeup is commonly used to make one's face more attractive, but it can also help conceal scars and other skin irregularities as an extension of medical treatment.

Cosmetics makers have developed products designed to camouflage birthmarks, discoloration, and post-operative scars, as well as chromatosis and swelling resulting from the use of cancer drugs and other medications.

Shiseido Co., Japan's biggest cosmetics company, leads the market in this field, having begun to develop and sell products to hide skin problems more than 60 years ago.