Published: July 29, 2010
Did you know that James Cromwell (the farmer in Babe) sported a mild form of rosacea? Or that Richard Gere’s birthmark (under his left shoulder, and there’s a close-up) appeared in Breathless? Want to gawp at Minnie Driver’s freckled/liver spotted/age-spotted (depending on how bitchy you’re feeling) arms? Here’s where to do it. Not, as I thought, used on the lips to detract from said panda eyes, but actually applied, very lightly, on to the dark circles under foundation.But I’ve saved the best till last. Dermatology Cinema ( www.skinema ) is truly a work of art. This is one to check out at work because your telephone bill will go sky high. You can find out who sported moles or other lesions in various films, gawp at actors’ sun-damaged skin (Bardot, Redford) and there’s an alphabetical list of actors who either have a skin condition or have played a character with one.
It lists lots of useful addresses, such as that for the cosmetic camouflage network (no website but you can e-mail on thropm resources.demon.co.uk), loads of info about eczema – what causes it, different types, info for teachers and so on. And there’s an excellent events calendar which lists meetings up and down the country for related issues.For a bit of light relief, go to www.beautylink where you can turn to Angora “ask me, darlin’” Teasdale for advice. The currently posted problem is about dark circles under the eyes and the answer is really rather good. Angora, bless her, not only talks you through the different causes but also tells you that “Indian women who are prone to dark circles swear by red lipstick”. It has a quarterly newsletter that tells you the latest news on skin issues – August’s details how the British Association of Dermatologists is launching guidelines for GP training in dermatology. This is made up of “an alliance of patient groups, companies and other organisations with a common interest in skin health” – folk such as the National Eczema Society ( www.eczema ), the British Association of Dermatologists and the Health Education are involved. The Erno Laszlo site ( www.ernolaszlo ) went live only at the beginning of this year so some sections aren’t fully up and running yet.
In the near future you will be able to answer some questions and get “clocked”, the Laszlo method of telling you if you have a dry, oily or in-between skin Again, you can’t buy on-line “yet, but this may change”. (It’s the same story with all of them – I think they’re looking for some magic formula whereby they can sell online but not piss the big stores off. There are relevant articles from newspapers you can link into and you can also buy the products by sending an e-mail.Regular readers will know that Helen Sher advocates the use of water, as does the man who invented the splashing technique, Erno Laszlo. Good luck.) You can read all about the Laszlo philosophy (and my spies tell me that after reading this newspaper’s profile on Erno a few month’s ago, someone Very Important Indeed asked for more info to be sent to her) and e-mail an adviser with your skin problem.My vote for the most useful site goes to the Skincare Campaign ( www.skincarecampaign /). There is information on acne, the drugs available and their side effects (Helen strongly believes acne and other skin conditions, such as rosacea, can be treated without drugs); what Sher System products can do for you (lots judging by the letters she receives, and I’ve seen them). A really excellent site is Sher System’s ( www.sher.co.uk/skincare).