While covering up your DSAP spots is certainly not a cure and isn’t always full proof, it sometimes does the trick so you don’t feel so self-conscious when you’re wearing a dress, shorts or a short sleeve shirt.
Over the years I’ve tried out several different concelaer/ body coverup products and as well as talking to others with DSAP to find out what they use.
The key things to look for are:
- How well does it cover up the DSAP lesions (well, duh)
- How long does it last? Will you be able to get through the entire day with full coverage?
- Does it smear or wipe off on your clothes? foundation on your clothes is never a good look?
- Does it come in a shade that matches your skin?
- Does it have an SPF? Definitely a plus!
- Is it waterproof? Pool party anyone?
- Does it apply easily? This doesn’t seem like it would be important but if it doesn’t spread well, that it’s hard to cover large areas.
Here’s the roundup
1. Dermablend– this is my personal fave and does tick most of the boxes.
- It has good coverage, a wide range of shades, it’s waterproof, has an SPFand doesn’t smear. On the negative side it is a bit hard to apply. I found that if I first put on lotion and then put on the dermablend it spreads much easier. They reformulated the product a couple of years ago. The previous formula was harder to apply, didn’t have sunscreen and wasn’t waterproof. The new one is much better!
2. The Right to Bare Arms by Joan River- I also have used these product. Between Dermablend and the Right to Bare Arms I like Dermablend. Here’s why:
- DermaBlend seems to have better coverage- maybe 10-20% better
- DermaBlend has many more shades to choose from- whereas rtbl only has 3
- DermaBlend is SPF 15
- However, for about $29 you get one 3.4 oz tube of DermaBlend and on amazon for the same price you can get a pack of 3 tubes of the other product (3 oz each)
- The right to bare arms has what seems to be a nifty sponge tip applicator however it gets eroded and quite disgusting after just a few uses
- To sum up- I like the DermaBlend better but not tons better. Given the more expensive price of DermaBlend it’s a toss up.
There are many other products that DSAP’ers have used (I can’t personally vouch for them, but this is very much trial and error, so keep trying until you find one that works for you.
3. Estee Lauder Maximum Cover Doublewear Camouflage Make up for Face and Legs– A liquid-gel foundation that provides a lightweight, matte coverage, concealing all imperfections.
4. Revlon Colorstay. People say that it lasts a couple of days, you can swim in it but that during the first hour of use it can rub off and that it works better on legs than arms.
5. Revlon photoready Airbrush– Doesn’t last too long but looks very natural. Lots of shades are available. Their website says: Air-infused mousse creates a flawless, poreless finish.
6. Sally Hanson Airbursh Legs– I have heard both good and bad things about this one. It’s not too expensive so may be worth a try. It’s available as a liquid foundation and a spray. Comes in four shads.
7. Kryolan Dermacolor Cosmetic Camouflage and Fixing Spray– Their website says: This ‘cosmetic camouflage’ covers all, from skin anomalies to tattoos. Waterproof and recommended by dermatologist, it’s the perfect formula for anyone who feels self-conscious about their skin. The fixing spray is to be applied to ‘set’ the cream
8. Physicians Formula Color Correction— to reduce redness many people with DSAP use Physicians Formula green coverup which helps to minimize the red. It’s available in a liquid and a stick. It didn’t work for me (that or I didn’t have the patience for it) but i know many people who had great results. I found this video on You Tube which shows you how to apply it. Click here to play the video.
If you have any products that you have used PLEASE note them below in the comments so others may benefit!
I have use most of the products mentioned. Dermablend is great when I first apply it but at the end of the day it starts to look chalky. Right to Bare Legs has good coverage but also can end up chalky. I, too, do not have patients for the Physicians Formula but the woman in the video does an amazing job. My favorite is the Sally Hanson Airbrush which I use on my arms. My arms are not as bad as my legs. My legs are currently so bad that I did not wear shorts all summer. Last time I was in the drug store, I tested a little Revlon Color Stay on my arms and I was very impressed with how natural the coverage was. I will probably get a bottle and try it on my legs.
Thanks for the feedback Caroline! My legs are also worse than my arms, particularly the back of my calves and for some reason taz/eff protocol isn’t as effective on my calves. So annoying… if it weren’t for these concealers i probably would never bare my skin– although I suppose that you are right that by the end of the day they aren’t covered at all!
I am new to your blog on DSAP. I actually just stumbled upon it. I have suffered with this mess for years, but recently it has gotten even worse! I have felt ALL ALONE where this condition is concerned! Last summer, I bought a pair of surfing pants to see if keeping out if the sun, completely, would help. IT DID NOT!! They actually looked worse! So glad to have found you! I am so desperate I am willing to try anything!!
Hi Holly,
glad you found us! I took a couple of months off from the site but am getting ready to post some more articles soon, including the results of the survey. If you haven’t taken it please do, here’s the link https://www.dsapinstitute.org/help-find-cure-take-survey/
Cheers,
Lorna
I use Cover FX. It was invented to cover up scars for cancer patients at Sunnybrook hospital in Toronto. It used to have an spf of 15 but they have taken that out, why I don’t know. You need to use the powder to set it. My DSAP is really bad and gets worse every year…. It’s beyond embarrassing. I’m going to give some of the products you recommended a try but this one works pretty good. Glad to know I’m not alone because I have never met anyone with DSAP of seen anyone on any beach anywhere that had this horrible infliction. Ugh!
Hi Lorna
Thank you for your information re DSAP. I have been to many Dermatologists without any success.
I am only told there is no cure and that’s it. I have tried one product called Lanate which did nothing except cost a lot of money $50.00 a tube.
Please keep me informed with the latest update on this horrible, horrible skin disorder.
Thank you again
Pam
Thank you for sharing all of the information. I have suffered with DSAP for 15 years. I have tried everything over the years and nothing works. It is so embarrassing to go out on the beach with my skin looking so terrible. I have tried many coverups and nothing helps. Dermablend covers pretty well, but I cannot get a shade to match my skin. It really helps to know that I am not suffering alone.
I am so glad to have found this site! I have suffered with DSAP for 15+ years. I’ve tried everything and it continues to get worse. I recently saw a dermatologist from Stanford who did extensive research on DSAP and has recommended TCH peel. It supposedly “freeze-burns” the top layers of the skin. It’s a painful and ugly procedure as the skin turns brownish and scabs. I was going to try doing it on my arms. Any feedback?? Has anyone tried this? I’m desperate to at the very least, fade the spots.
Hi Jill, did you go through with this procedure? If so, would love to hear the results.
Hi. The Physicians Formula video is mine. I still use it for my really red spots and it is easy to do. I use a lip brush and dry brush the product on the spots. I have the Maybelline liquid as well, and the Dinair tattoo cover in my skin tone and it does a great job.
Sue
I just learned about “It” Rosales concealer. Love it. Use derma bond (blend) prior to that and this works so much nicer.
Just found this site and I too have dsap and it seems to be getting worse. I’ve had it for about 10 yrs. I know longer wear shorts and my arms are looking terrible. It is very embarrassing. I use concealers as well. Haven’t found a great one but have been using dermablend. It doesn’t seem to work as good as the ad says, at least not for me but it helps some.
Thanks for posting. It is good to read from people who have the same condition. A cure would be wonderful!
Can I Tattoo over these spots.
Good question…I am not sure how ink would absorb into them… also the spots tend to come and go over the years.
I am wanting know the same thing
Recently I went to a dermatologist with a small breakout on one leg. The physician took a quick look and said it’s Eczema, there is no cure, for two weeks soak 20 minutes every night in a tub of warm water and the slather with steroid cream. At the end of the 12th treatment both legs broke out from upper thigh to ankle. Went to another dermatologist who took biopsy and I’ve been diagnosed with a rare case of Eruptive Disseminated Actinic Porokeratosis. I am 69 years old and in excellent health. I am reluctant to take the 5-fluorouracil treatment until this angry ugly rash settles down. My dressing table has no less than 20 different creams (prescription and over the counter).
Thank you for starting this blog as it gave me hope that I could cover the areas that show with a leg makeup. Didn’t think about that. Since I am almost 70 I’m not worried about wearing a bathing suit (actually haven’t done that since the knees fell). I have never blogged before but felt maybe sharing my story would reach someone with a similar problem.
I was a strawberry blonde when younger, fair skinned and blue eyes. I’ve lived near water most of my life and spent many years on a sailboat and at the beach. I knew of the risks of worshiping the sun but had never heard of Eruptive Disseminated Actinic Porokertosis. However, I do feel I had a terrible reaction to the steroid treatment.
If anyone has Actinic Porokertosis spots (rare that you get Eruptive Disseminated which means it erupted at once in a very large area), please let me know which skin cream covered well. From the blog it appears Dermacolor might be a choice.
From Nancy’s post she is suffering with DSAP and hasn’t been happy with Dermacolor so would like to hear what her skin tone is. This might help me determine if i should spend anymore money.
Thanks again for starting this blog. Like Nancy a cure would be AWESOME and I’m puzzled why there really isn’t a good treatment (at least for me) that helps manage this horrible skin condition better.
Helen
I use the Sally Hanson liquid foundation for legs. It covers the lesions fairly well and is great as long as I’m not sweating. If I sweat, it will rub off on whatever I am touching. Unfortunately, I live in Florida and the time of year when I want to NOT wear pants is the time of year when it is very hot and humid. But, I still use it if I go out at night and want to wear a dress. I’m gonna try some of these other suggestions on here….
I received very depressing response when I asked my dermatologist if there was any place in the world that was doing research on this straight from HELL skin condition and his reply was “No because there isn’t enough money behind it”. What will it take to get the medical profession to take this on? My daughter has a former student that is doing grad study at Texas A&M on genetics. She contacted him and he had never heard of the condition. He is going to see if anyone else in his department has knowledge about this. My DSAP is so horrible it would make a great case study for someone.
Helen
My high school friend from YEARS ago used Dermablend. I have so many freckles, that I wanted something to do better coverage, and thought of this brand. I bought it, and I combine it with my badger sunscreen, and a Mary Kay makeup sponge. It goes on nice a creamy, and I set with a translucent powder.
I use the leftover stuff on the sponge, to go on top of my freckly hands, and have covered up my healing dermatologist burning skin off scars.
I am in desperate need for help with my DSAP I have it on my face , arms and legs . I can’t wear makeup on my face because of all the dry patches , makeup makes it look worst. I get so depressed about it . I put concealer on my legs but still don’t feel comfortable going out in public . Someone please help me to at lest be able to wear makeup.
Have you tried red light therapy yet?
I use 400 grit sandpaper to smooth out the roughness. It works wonderfully! I’ve tried best bronze leg make up and it helps a little but my lesions are red so I can still see them.