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Effect of Makeup Use on Depressive Symptoms: An Open, Randomized and Controlled Trial
Marcos C Veçoso1, Souvenir Zalla1, Newton Andreo-Filho2
1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Translacional, Departamento de Medicina, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Dermatology and Therapy
|March 21, 2024
Summary
Encouraging makeup use significantly reduced depressive symptoms and improved self-image in women. This simple, inexpensive intervention offers a sustainable mental health benefit for a large population group.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Mental Health
- Cosmetic Science
Background:
- Depression is a leading global cause of disability, disproportionately affecting women.
- Multimodal treatment strategies are essential for managing depression's complexity.
- Understanding the impact of lifestyle factors on mental well-being is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of frequent makeup use on depressive symptoms in adult women.
- To assess changes in self-image perception and salivary cortisol levels.
- To explore an accessible and inexpensive intervention for mental health improvement.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial involving adult women of medium-low purchasing power.
- Intervention group received makeup products to encourage frequent use; control group did not.
- Assessed depressive symptoms using the Zung Depression Self-Assessment Scale, self-image via the mirror test, and salivary cortisol levels.
Main Results:
- A significant reduction in depressive symptoms (8.3% decrease in Zung Index) was observed.
- Self-image perception improved by 25% on the mirror test.
- Salivary cortisol levels decreased by 55% after initial makeup application.
Conclusions:
- Encouraging frequent makeup use is a simple, inexpensive, and effective intervention.
- This practice can lead to sustainable improvements in well-being and mental health.
- Makeup use offers a novel approach to support the mental health of a significant population segment.
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