The esthetic problems inherent to peripheral (PFP) are frequent causes of complaint. Make-up is advocated as a form of therapy and can alleviate symptoms of depression. The aim of the present study was to collect data on make-up habits in female PFP patients and assess links with esthetic and/or functional complaints.

Two questionnaires were drawn up to compare make-up habits in female PFP patients and women in the general population. The first was sent out between September and December 2019, to 39 House-Brackmann grade III PFP patients (group A), and the second on-line questionnaire was sent to a control population of 1385 women (group B).

PFP patients used make-up more often than controls at weekends (χ²=16.38; P=0.0009) and while at home (χ²=8.21; P=0.042), and more often with foundation (χ²=17.21; P=0.0006) and lip make-up (χ²=59.31; P<0.0001). The greater their functional complaint, the less they made up their eyes. The greater their self-confidence and the more they felt attractive, the less they made up their lips.

The differences in make-up use found in the present study aimed to mask facial palsy and were related to the esthetic complaint, impacting social life.