I dared to do this post, because we are in the month of cancer prevention. As a cancer survivor patient, I know how important it is to maintain special care in our skin during treatment. Every one of us is aware of the more common side effects that crop up during the treatment of cancer. However, maybe the less well known are its consequences for the skin. Chemotherapy often causes an aggravated and dry skin. As opposed to holding up to manage the symptoms after the treatment begins, a few specialized skin care tips for cancer patients can help limit the skin related issues beforehand. Later on, they can proceed with the skin care regimen throughout the treatment.
The skin is the largest organ of the body and therefore one of the most suffering during chemo or radiotherapy treatments. In addition, in many occasions it reflects the internal state of the organism, while at the same time it protects us from the aggressions of the external environment.
Chemotherapy is very effective but is not able to distinguish between cancer cells and normal cells, so it often produces side effects on organs with a major cell turnover such as the digestive tract or skin. In contrast, radiation therapy has a more localized action, destroying the malignant cells but also others that it finds in its path as the skin cells of the area in question.
In both cases they are usually banal side effects and of no clinical importance, however they decrease the patient’s quality of life and worsen their aesthetic appearance. Therefore, we highlight a series of general measures that help to better care of the skin of these patients, which minimizes such adverse skin effects
Why is skin care so important for cancer patients?
The skin is the largest organ of the organism and therefore one of the most suffering during chemo or radiotherapy treatments. In addition, in many occasions it reflects the internal state of the organism, while at the same time it protects us from the aggressions of the external environment. If one takes good care of their skin during chemotherapy, it’s possible to have healthy, delicate, soft and attractive skin all through the treatment process.
Chemotherapy is very effective but is not able to distinguish between cancer cells and normal cells, so it often produces side effects on organs with a major cell turnover such as the digestive tract or skin. In contrast, radiation therapy has a more localized action, destroying the malignant cells but also others that it finds in its path as the skin cells of the area in question.
In both cases they are usually banal side effects and of no clinical importance, however they decrease the patient’s quality of life and worsen their aesthetic appearance. Therefore, we highlight a series of general measures that help to better care of the skin of these patients, which minimizes such adverse skin effects.
It’s considerably more vital for one’s physical well-being to have a healthy skin during this difficult treatment procedure. Dry and sensitive skin is inclined to dermatitis, sore and itching that can end up becoming infected. One has to keep it in mind that the skin is a huge organ. It’s continuously exposed to the chemicals and germs of the outside world. In the process of undergoing chemotherapy, the immune system gets suppressed, and the body gets more vulnerable than ever before, furthermore emphasizing the need to have healthy skin.
What’s an ideal approach to keep your skin healthy amid chemotherapy?
The best approach way to keep your skin vigorous and healthy amid chemotherapy is to tenaciously follow specially designed skin care tips for cancer patients that help treat your skin.
You have to realize that you can hydrate the skin only from the outside. The inside and outside of the body are separate from each other, and you need to follow a skin care routine to stay hydrated.
Some skin care tips for cancer patients you should know
Tip 1 – Cleanse Gently
Limiting the use of cleanser to only when required and strictly using those skin cleansers which are gentle to the skin is imperative to maintain naturally healthy skin. Also, make sure to rinse them off thoroughly using warm water. Gentle cleansers don’t strip down the skin’s natural oils.
Skin that is treated with harsh chemicals cannot protect one from the germs and dust in the environment since it’s stratum corneum breaks down. The stratum corneum is the fragile outer barrier of skin which guards it against the exterior germs. Switch your cleansers at this moment to help the skin stay in a healthy state. Avoid over clean your skin even if it is by using gentle cleansers. Also, you should completely wash off any chemicals from your skin, whether delicate or harsh.
Tip 2 – Use hypoallergenic skin care products only
Throughout chemotherapy, your skin becomes more sensitive. Products you might have endured for a long time may now not be right for your skin. One of the most important skin care tips for cancer patients is to make sure you only use hypoallergenic products. It is convenient to avoid deodorants containing aluminum chloride because of their degree of irritation.
Before purchasing or using a particular product, just make sure that you go through the content list on the back. Try to identify any potential allergens or irritants that it might have to prevent any issue on your skin.
Tip 3 – Bathe and wash your skin to hydrate it rather than dry it out
Dermatologists and other skin care experts highly debate whether bathing dries out the skin. Doctors recommend a long shower or bath, with warm water and neutral ph, oats or glycerine soaps. You should avoid scraping and the use of sponges.
Avoid the friction of the skin, so try it by “touching” or small “blows” with the towel. Hydration is of vital importance, for which liquid petroleum jelly is very effective. Although it is a somewhat unctuous product, it is the one that provides the most hydration.
Tip 4 – Apply moisturizer to your skin within three minutes after washing
After every shower, you need to moisturize your body within three minutes so as to curb dryness. Also, you can moisturize your face every morning and night, just after your washing routine. For the moisturization needs of your hands, ensure that you keep a bottle of a hand moisturizer by your sink. You can apply it every time you wash and scrub your hands. For taking care of your lips be sure to coat them with a hydrating lip balm throughout the day.
Tip 5 – Sun Protection
During chemotherapy, your skin will be substantially more sensitive to damage by the sun. Most skin care tips for cancer patients emphasize the need to take additional care during and after treatment. Using a natural sunblock with high SPF with non-nano zinc oxide helps provide a full range UV protection. This will also helps keep the moisture locked in and secure.
In addition to the recommendations described above, maintaining a positive attitude will help you cope with the situation. At the same time, it will strengthen you by looking at life in a different way. Our health is important, therefore, we must take care of it.