Customized foundation: Color, tone knowledge necessary for appropriate makeup selection

Key Points

Q: I noticed some custom-matched facial foundations at the grocery store. How does this work?

Q: What is threading, as it pertains to hair removal?

Threading is a method of hair epilation. Mechanized epilating machines use a spring to grab and pull the hair in the same manner as threading. Threading is a quicker method than plucking, but it accomplishes the same goal. For this reason, it is usually performed to remove hair on larger body areas, such as the arms and legs. It is safe, but regrowth is more rapid if the hair is broken rather than epilated. Threading can also traumatically remove the hair from the follicle resulting in abnormal regrowth and folliculitis. It is less expensive than waxing, as it requires fewer supplies.

Q: What is a hypoallergenic fragrance?

A Hypoallergenic fragrances have become popular since dermatologists identified fragrance as a common source of allergic contact dermatitis. Unfortunately, fragrance is necessary in many skincare products to cover up the foul smell of the ingredients. The need to use fragrance in products for sensitive skin has led to the concept of hypoallergenic fragrances.

Hypoallergenic fragrances are reduced-allergy fragrances, not nonallergenic fragrances. They do not contain any of the ingredients on the standard patch test tray or the fragrance patch test tray. The scents contain no natural fragrance materials and are based on smells artificially created in the laboratory. Thus, these ingredients have a reduced incidence of allergenicity and are labeled as such.

Zoe Diana Draelos, M.D., is a Dermatology Times editorial adviser and investigator, Dermatology Consulting Services, High Point, N.C. Questions may be submitted via e-mail to zdraelos@northstate.net