The Effects

Cancer treatments can make skin sensitive, dry, dull, flaky or itchy and skin tone may appear gray or even yellow. During chemotherapy and radiation treatments, skin will become more sensitive to allergens or irritants. Cancer patients are advised not to share their personal care products and not to use products that have changed in appearance, odor or texture. The damage cancer treatments do to skin is neither irreversible nor untreatable. In fact, during treatments patients will likely have many of the same concerns as women whose skin is dry and sensitive throughout the year.

Chemotherapy will make skin drier because it will interfere with the production levels of oil and sweat glands. Radiation treatments can make skin reddened, irritated and chapped—similar to a sunburn. Keeping skin moisturized during treatment is important to prevent cracking and chapping, which can lead to infection in the cancer patient, whose immune system is suppressed. Keep in mind that looking ill isn't inevitable during or after cancer treatment. Undergoing treatment is hard enough, so we've done some of the homework to recommend products to help everyone look her best.

Cleanse and Moisturize

One should avoid harsh soaps, and choose fragrance-free soaps with moisturizers. Soap-free facial cleansers that gently cleanse makeup and oil without drying the skin are preferable. Purlisse Pur Delicate Gentle Soy Milk Cleanser and La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser both do a wonderful job of this. When cleansing the face warm water should be used, never hot. After cleansing and rinsing, pat the face dry with a towel. Apply moisturizer, such as Boscia Recharging Night Moisture immediately after washing, when the skin is still damp, for maximum absorption.

Sun Protection

Cancer patients are advised to use products containing sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. As skin may be more sensitive to harmful ultraviolet rays make sure that the SPF product offers both UVA and UVB protection (broad/full spectrum sunscreens). An easy to use sunscreen that we like is the Colorescience Sunforgettable Orb SPF 30 Perfectly Clear. A lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher, such as B. Kamins Lip Balm SPF 20 is also essential.

Nails

Fingernails may become darkened, brittle, or cracked, or they may develop vertical lines or bands. Protect your nails by wearing gloves when washing dishes, gardening or performing other work around the house. Barielle's Nail Rebuilding Protein strengthens nails and keeps them strong. If the area around the nail bed becomes dry, cuticles may fray. Moisturize the cuticles with an oil like Korres Myrrh Strengthening Oil for Brittle and Splitting Nails. Don't rip or peel off a loose cuticle. Cut it carefully with a clean pair of nail scissors.

Avoid

Things to avoid include: abrasive cleansers, fabrics, loofah sponges, alcohols, perfumes and colognes/fragrance, colorants, preservatives, Alpha Hydroxy Acids, products containing Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Retin-A and Retinol-based products, Propylene Glycol, Lanolin, Benzoyl Peroxide, Menthol, Tea Tree and Eucalyptus.

after treatment

Treat Yourself With Extra Kindness

After successfully undergoing cancer treatment, a patient may worry about dealing with the physical changes that occurred during treatment. Hair loss may be a possible side effect that causes concern.

Hair Loss

Both men and women report hair loss as one of the side effects they fear most after being diagnosed with cancer.

The hair on the head grows the fastest and is the first to fall out during chemotherapy. Fortunately, most of the time hair loss from chemotherapy is temporary. Hair loss varies amongst patients and may include loss of eyebrows and lashes. This happens because during chemotherapy, drugs reach various parts and organs of the body to destroy cancer cells, and some of these drugs cause damage to hair follicles.

Hair re-growth often begins even before therapy is completed. Some products containing minoxidil, like Rogaine Regular Strength for Women Triple Pack, might help speed up the hair re-growth. Other treatments that customers have had success with are the Frederic Fekkai MORE Kit and DS Laboratories Spectral DNC.

When the hair does grow back, frequently there is a change in the color or texture. Re-growth usually occurs in six to eight weeks after completion of therapy. Take a minute to think about this: the average person's hair grows approximately 1/2 inch a month, so you can imagine how long it would take to get back to normal length.

The reality is that so much medical intervention when battling cancer will have a huge impact on the skin. But with a little TLC and the right skin care regimen, you can reclaim your sense of self by gaining some control over the ravages of cancer and the side effects of treatment.

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