Cancer treatment requires special care during both radiation and chemotherapy.  Radiation can cause sensitivity in the area being radiated, even redness and sometimes burning if your skin is fair.  Chemotherapy, because it is internal, can cause dryness, itching, sensitivity to UV rays, and skin pigmentation changes.

Being mindful of what you put on your skin at this time is particularly important.  It is best to stay away from products that have fragrance or scent.  Not only will this affect your skin, but heightened sensitivity to scent is also one of the side effects of cancer treatment.  Something for your family and friends to be aware of.

General guidelines to help your skin during cancer treatment:

1.  Be gentle to your skin – wear loose fitting clothes to avoid rubbing, cotton is better than synthetics or wool, avoid heat extremes (hot and/or cold), use gentle, natural skin lotions to keep your skin moisturized.

2. Make sure your skin is clean – be aware if products are irritating your skin – switch to more gentle ones such as natural or organic skin care, stay away from perfumes, lanolin or alcohol in products.

3. Hydrate your skin – drink plenty of water (8-10 glasses per day), apply moisturizer while skin is damp, keep lips moist with lip balms or lotions.

4. Nail care is important – many people find they even lose their nails.  Wear gloves when working, use hand lotion liberally, apply cuticle creams.

5. Protect your skin from the sun – stay out of the sun between 10 am and 3 pm, wear a brimmed hat and clothing that covers your skin, wear wraparound sunglasses to protect the eyes, and most importantly, wear suncreen with SPF 30+ strength.

These are a few tips to help you during this time.  Most of these issues will disappear once treatment is over.  However, during treatment, make sure you look for organic skin care products that will be gentle on your skin and offer the most protection.

If You Can't Eat It Don't Put It On Your Skin

During cancer treatment (radiation and chemotherapy), skin texture changes.  It will become more sensitive and need extra care.  You will want to look for organic skin care products that are non-oily, easy to rub on your skin, and absorb readily.  Perfume can be an issue, so lotions and creams with no scent are best.

In summary:

1. Dryness and Sensitivity – both chemotherapy and radiation will create skin dryness.  Hence the need for super hydrating lotions that will absorb easily and flow onto the skin without excessive rubbing as the skin will be more sensitive than before.

2. Intolerance of scents/perfumes – find skin care lotions and creams with no scent.  You could try a light citrus or lavender scent – some people can tolerate these mild scents.

3. Powders during radiation – they suggest using powders that do not contain alum.  One good option is corn starch – a basic.

4.  Sun Sensitivity – Chemotherapy most often causes sun sensitivity.  Suncreen and light colored clothing will help immensely.

These suggestions are good ideas for selecting skin care products going forward.  Your skin will appreciate the extra care and attention.

As the leaves fall, ice melts and temperatures boil, our skin also begins to change, requiring different products for every season. This doesn’t mean you need to alter your entire routine, but you might need to change out a few items. For instance, when winter arrives, your once normal to oily complexion can become drier. Come the summer, however, and you’re constantly running out of blotting papers.

To save dry skin during wintertime, invest in an oil-based moisturizer; and during the summer, for skin that tends to be oily, follow your soap-free cleanser with an alcohol-free toner. Regardless of the product you’re buying, it’s always best to go with organic skin care products. When you use organic products, you can rest assured you aren’t introducing any harsh chemicals or additives to your skin.

That sure gets one’s attention!  Having cancer is bad enough, but finding out that the products we use on our body are actually contributing to cancer is even more scary.

Several manufactuers, Dr. Alkaitis for one, have woken up to the fact that there is a need to have safer alternatives in the marketplace.  Research yourself – look for organic skin care lines.  Check the ingredients to ensure that they are indeed organic and safe.  Regulations are still lax around the definitions that can be put on packaging.

It pays to be educated – it could mean your life.  Cancer statistics indicate that 1 in 2 people will get cancer (any cancer) in their lifetime.