Bio-Oil introduces new campaign to support people living with scars

New Campaign Launched to Support Scar Victims

Specialist skincare brand, Bio-Oil, has launched a new campaign to support people living with scarring. The campaign was devised in response to research demonstrating the considerable impact felt by people living with scarring on their psychological wellbeing.

The ‘Scars Uncovered’ campaign, developed in collaboration with Behavioural Psychologist Jo Hemmings, aims to support people living with scarring to work towards accepting the changes to their body, and viewing them as part of themselves instead of hiding away.

“A scar can serve as a constant reminder of an often traumatic experience, which can explain why people are often tempted to hide them away and compartmentalise this part of themselves. This behaviour is often in direct conflict with the psychological process of acceptance, therefore impacting long-term psychological wellbeing. An important part of coming to terms with a disfigurement on the body is to face it and build up comfort levels i.e. by looking at it, or massaging it in order to begin the acceptance process. Over time, comfort levels will develop and acceptance can be established”, says Jo Hemmings, Behavioural Psychologist.

New research demonstrates psychological impact

New research conducted by Bio-Oil has highlighted the psychological impact felt by people living with scarring. A survey conducted earlier this year amongst 1,000 people living with scarring in the UK demonstrated that:

• 62% said that their scar has negatively impacted their body confidence.
• One in 10 feel that their scar has become more visible than their true self.
• 41% would like to feel that they don’t have to hide their scar.

The ‘Scars Uncovered’ campaign launches with a video featuring five people living with scarring, and follows their journey towards acceptance, including coping techniques and advice sharing, with the intention of sharing more widely the insights of how to work towards scar acceptance for people living with scarring.  As part of the campaign launch, Bio-Oil has also developed a video intended for healthcare professionals to help support patient advice giving. The video, featuring Behavioural Psychologist, Jo Hemmings, provides practical advice and tips for supporting patients with scarring in order to help them care for their scars and work towards scar acceptance.  

“The research conducted by Bio-Oil demonstrates the psychological struggles patients may face when they experience disfigurement and scarring. Unfortunately, there is no clear guidance for people with scarring on where or how to seek support, and the topic is often a very sensitive one. As healthcare professionals, one thing we can do to help is to ensure clear and consistent advice whilst consulting with patients who ask about existing scars and, prior to scar formation, for example pre-operative and post-operative care should include advice on helping to care for their scar to work towards the best outcome. Campaigns such as ‘Scars Uncovered’ provide a sense of community where people suffering can gain information and support so that they do not feel that they are on their own,” explains Julie Van Onselen, Dermatology Specialist Nurse.

Source: http://bio-oilprofessional.co.uk/