Undergoing cosmetic surgery is not unlike the transformation a caterpillar makes into a butterfly. There is a phase of cocooning, so to speak, when the treated areas of your body must be hidden and protected while they heal before you can do a full reveal of the new you of your dreams. While many take some amount of vacation time to heal after a cosmetic surgery procedure, it may not be practical or possible to spend your whole time healing at home. If you have to return to work before your period of healing is over, or otherwise plan to go out in public, you may want to use camouflage cosmetics.

People have been using these creams and/or powder makeup products that conceal problem areas of the face or body since they were developed by plastic surgeons during World War II. During this time, camouflage cosmetics covered serious burns that fighter pilots endured. Camouflage cosmetics are necessary today after cosmetic surgery because many procedures come with side effects like swelling, bruising and visible incision lines that can take months to go away on their own, notes an article from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

There are three types of techniques used in camouflage cosmetics: concealing (hiding incision lines and bruises), color correcting (neutralizing the appearance of skin areas that are red, as from a chemical peel, or yellow, as from a healing bruise, according to a Web MD article), and contouring (creation of the illusion of highlights and shadows to disguise swelling), the ASPS article states.
Concealer can be used to cover healed incision lines, scars and bruises, ASPS says. However, the organization advises against using it on the skin around the eyes, because the thick product generally collects in the creases of your delicate eye skin. In this area, ASPS recommends liquid foundation, color corrector or eye makeup.

For color correcting of bruises or large areas of discoloration, an article on the University of Michigan Health System's Center for Facial Cosmetic Surgery (CFCS) Web site says under base skin toner, in colors like green, yellow and purple, will neutralize discoloration when used under concealer. This is advantageous because it allows you to use less heavy concealer, enabling you to obtain a more natural look with less makeup, the article notes. You would use green to hide redness and yellow to hide purple bruises. You may have to switch under base colors during healing, as bruises often go through color transitions CFCS points out. After applying the under base, use a concealer that matches your skin tone, CFCS says. This may enable you to forego foundation, ASPS reveals.

Contouring techniques use two products: a highlighter that's two shade lighter than your normal foundation, and a contour shadow, about two shades darker than your foundation. Dark colors can make swellings and protrusions recede, and light colors cane make surface depressions look shallower. When using makeup to contour the face, foundation and pressed powder are normally used, ASPS says. Good contouring "creates the illusion of angles without seeing stripes of makeup." This is achieved through blending.

Products used for camouflaging should be hypoallergenic and fragrance-free so your skin does not get further irritated. Your doctor will recommend when you can start using camouflage cosmetics on your skin. In most instances, they can be used a day or two after surgery, reports ASPS. However, for any procedure that requires incisions and stitches, you will have to wait until the stitches have been removed and the incision is completely closed. After a nose job, makeup can be used as soon as the cast is removed. If you have received a chemical peel or dermabrasion, you cannot use makeup until any crust that has formed on your skin is completely gone, ASPS cautions.

You may already be using makeup that will help you with camouflaging. Normal liquid foundation and loose powder can do the trick, Web MD notes. However, ASPS advises you to not to use products you have at home, but rather buy new ones with new applicators so they will be as clean as possible.

Your doctor can tell you what products will work best for you. Many doctors who perform cosmetic procedures have creams and powders available for sale in their offices. Commercial camouflage cosmetics, such as Dermablend, are also available in department stores. CoverBlend and the Jane Iredale line of concealers are also popular choices.

Although camouflage cosmetics can stay on other parts of your body for three to four days, you should always remove the makeup from your face and neck before you go to bed, the Wikipedia article cautions. Since this type of makeup is waterproof, oily cleansing products may work best to remove them. After using the removal product, follow up with your normal facial cleansing routine.