Beauty Centre, Institut Gustave Roussy Hospital

CEW Foundation is an international non-profit organisation run with the support of the cosmetics industry. Its main activity is the operation of beauty centres at hospitals, providing beauticians to support the important role that self-esteem can play in women’s recovery from illness. At present it operates centres at 24 hospitals. TFWA has long been a supporter of CEW France thanks to the close relationship between the beauty and duty-free markets.

The centre employs four specialist beauticians, each trained specially for hospital practice, ensuring a full time presence at the hospital. Patients staying at the hospital can book facial, manicure and massage treatments at the centre, while a day room serves outpatients visiting the hospital for further treatments.

Earlier this year CEW Foundation also launched a medical survey at Institut Gustave Roussy, examining the curative role that beauty care can play in the treatment of breast cancer. The 18-month study aims to lead to a better understanding of how self-esteem and dignity can aid the recovery process.

Beautician Olga Peron says: “When I was very young I wanted to be a nurse, but eventually I graduated as a beautician. When I discovered that I could work in hospital I decided to specialise and went back to school. Today I work with patients every day. Sometimes it is can be very hard when patients do not recover, but we are there to help them go through their difficult times with dignity. The most rewarding work is with patients preparing to be visited by their family: feeling confident in the way you look is so important in human relationships.”