Kate Gerbeau

Kate Gerbeau

LONDON - "The camera adds 4kg," declared horrified actors and actresses at the dawn of the television age. Decades later, today's stars are bracing themselves for a new shock.

This time they are more worried about their faces than their waistlines, for next month, Sky will become the first major British broadcaster to start transmission of high-definition television (HDTV) pictures.

The system achieves a clearer image, breaking it up into more lines. The stars of the screen have other lines on their mind.

"HDTV is not going to be forgiving in any way. Basically, if you've got bags under your eyes or wrinkles, you're not going to be able to get away with it any more," said Kate Gerbeau, the Channel 5 newsreader and former BBC Breakfast presenter.

Greater clarity means viewers get a closer look at faces that for years have appeared flawless.

In the United States, where the images have begun beaming, previously unseen spots, blemishes and crow's feet are prompting outbreaks of fury and talk of legal action against commentators who have ridiculed celebrities over their looks.

In Britain stars are scurrying for new makeup products and even surgical treatments to beat the intrusive lenses of high-definition cameras.

"For the last few weeks in our makeup department we've started experimenting with make-up for HDTV," said Ms Gerbeau.

"One of the big things is we've been using an airbrush to apply the foundation, which looks like a dentist's drill.

"It's like being a canvas that's spray painted, but the idea is that it gives a natural, uniform look to the complexion of the presenters."

All of this is good news for the cosmetics companies. Clinique has launched a line for television firms that will also be sold on the general market.

Dr David Orentreich, a dermatologist for Clinique, said that advance orders were already coming in for the company's "HDTV kit", which includes a "pore minimiser", "colour correctors" and an "antioxidant rescue serum."

"HDTV is a real issue for performers," said Dr Orentreich. "Seeing skin through a standard format is like looking into a regular mirror. Seeing it through HDTV - which is not yet broadcast in New Zealand - is like looking with a magnifying mirror.

"It exacerbates the appearance of redness, scars, pigmentation irregularities and shows every line, pore and discoloration."