Any form of cancer treatment is one of the most difficult experiences anyone can go through. It can be hard on your body and such a scary process. My heart goes out to all cancer patients or anyone helping someone else through a cancer diagnosis. If you or someone you love is currently going through it, I hope this guide helps bring comfort and ease of mind.
Today, I want to talk about oncology skincare or how to care for your skin during radiation treatments. After all, oncology patients need some extra love and attention during a trying time. I’ll cover what can happen to your skin, as well as what you can do to help your skin out. Additionally, I’ve compiled a list of skincare products that are Oncology safe that we carry. Well, let’s dive in!
- How Can Cancer Treatments/Chemo Affect Skin?
- What You Can Do To Alleviate the Side Effects
- Products At Art of Skin Care That Are Oncology Safe
How Can Cancer Treatments/Chemo Affect Skin?
Most of the time, our skin is a sturdy organ that protects us from a great deal of outside danger. To this day, I’m blown away by how protective our largest organ truly is. Indeed, it’s normally able to shield us from quite a lot of damage. Radiation therapy, however, can harm our skin significantly. When undergoing chemotherapy, the following side effects are normal:
- Dry skin
- Flaking or peeling skin
- Burning or skin pain
- Itchy, red skin
- Hyperpigmentation and/or hypopigmentation
- Mild scaling and roughness
- Photosensitivity (increased rash or sunburn from light exposure)
- Blisters
- Swelling or puffiness
This isn’t an exhaustive list, but these are common side effects people experience. If you’d like to learn more, you can read this helpful article for more specific details on cancer treatments and their effects on skin. The big take away is that the process turns skin into sensitive skin.
What Can You Do To Alleviate the Side Effects
While hopefully, these symptoms are light or temporary, it doesn’t make them any less uncomfortable or painful. The first, and most important thing to do is listen to your doctor and talk to them about your side effects. Take anything they prescribe and follow their advice at all points. Beyond that, there are simple steps you can take to be extra kind and loving to your skin during this hard time:
- Avoid any irritating products: only use the gentlest cleansers and skincare. This includes harsh surfactants, like sulfates.
- Only use warm water to wash. Hot water will further irritate/dry skin out.
- Pat yourself dry with your towel. We advise you do this to your face already, but apply the practice to your entire body. It’s much more gentle.
- Do not use sponges, scrubs, or loofahs on your skin. You do not want to introduce any physical exfoliation to your routine.
- Use moisturizer every day, especially after taking a shower or bath.
- Cover up your skin, wear a hat, and wear broad-spectrum SPF whenever exposed to sunlight.
Just taking these steps alone will help your skin’s well-being during this challenging treatment. As you could tell from the list, you want to keep your hydration up and exfoliation to a bare minimum. Once again, always listen to your oncologist and follow their advice and instructions.
Skin Cancer Lesions
When addressing skin cancer, we have to also warn that you should not apply any skincare products to areas with open lesions. You may apply skincare to other areas without the lesions, but keep it off any open spots. As with any medical concern, if you are uncertain about what to do, please consult with your doctor for guidance.
Products at Art of Skin Care That Are Oncology Safe
Cancer treatments don’t mean you have to stop your skincare treatments. If anything, it’s fundamental to be kind and caring for your skin during chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. However, it can be daunting to know which products are safe or ideal for use during treatments. Don’t worry though, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of our cancer treatment conscious skincare products that we carry at Art of Skin Care:
Cleansers
- AnteAGE Cleanser – A soothing, foaming cleanser that removes impurities with bothering the skin.
- Hale & Hush Quiet Wash – This cleanser is supremely gentle.
- NeoGenesis Cleanser – A gentle, non-toxic jelly cleanser that does the job without further sensitizing.
Serums
- Hale & Hush Soothe Essence Serum – This hydrating, anti-inflammatory serum reduces redness and irritation.
- iS Clinical Poly-Vitamin Serum – Soothing & rejuvenating, especially for skin experiencing tightness.
- is Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum – Hydrating & soothing for dry skin or cracked nails/cuticles.
- iS Clinical Super Serum Advance+ – Reduces the appearance of scar tissue and has plenty of antioxidants.
- iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance+ – Reduces the appearance of redness and calms irritation.
- NeoGenesis Recovery Serum – Heals damaged skin beautifully.
- NeoGenesis Booster Serum – Provides extra hydration while reducing inflammation of the skin.
- NeoGenesis Skin Serum – A great daily serum to maintain and nurture skin.
- NeoGenesis Eye Serum – Super hydrating and nourishing, this serum addresses dark circles and puffiness around the eyes.
Creams & Moisturizers
- Hale & Hush Hydrate Gel – This oil-free moisturizing gel soothes and hydrates irritated, red skin.
- Hale & Hush Saffron Meristem Cream – An ultra-rich, calming cream for dry, sensitive skin.
- Hale & Hush Vital Lipid Lotion –
- iS Clinical Youth Eye Complex – Soothes skin around the eyes, hydrates, and reduces puffiness.
- iS Clinical Reparative Moisture Emulsion – Hydrating and soothing for red skin and dryness.
- iS Clinical SHEALD Recovery Balm – Provides a protective barrier for raw or dry skin.
- NeoGenesis Intensive Moisturizer – Provides deep hydration and barrier protection for sensitized skin.
- NeoGenesis Light Moisturizer – Provides hydration and barrier protection for sensitized normal to oily skin.
- NeoGenesis Barrier Renewal Cream – Renews and repairs damaged skin
SPF/Sunscreen
- Hale & Hush Broad Spectrum SPF 30 – Mineral, broad spectrum SPF with soothing qualities.
- iS Clinical Extreme Protect SPF 30 – Soothes the skin and protects with broad spectrum SPF.
Mists & Sprays
- Hale & Hush Mist Me Calming Spray – Soothing, anti-inflammatory effects with refreshing hydration added.
- NeoGenesis MB-1 Microbiota Spray – Hydrates skin and increases healthy bacteria on the skin’s surface.
- NeoGenesis Moisturizing Mist – Can work as a toner or refreshing, cooling mist for dry skin.
As you can see, despite not being the entire shop, it’s quite a big list! Reach out to us in live chat if you have any questions about these products.
I hope you’ve found this blog helpful and informative. Oncology skincare is a more serious subject matter than I usually address on the blog. However, it’s necessary to talk about how cancer treatment affects your skin. If my clients know how to care for themselves and their loved ones to achieve wellness, even during a dark time, then I feel more at ease. Until next time, may you achieve the glowing skin of your dreams!
