3 common skin changes during Breast cancer treatment and steps you can take to make it better
Article at a Glance
- Cancer treatments will likely have an effect on your skin, nails, and hair
- It helps to understand what might happen and how you can care for yourself
- Care for your skin with gentle cleansing, moisturizing/oiling, and hydration
One of the most visible challenges with the various medications you’ll receive during your treatment are the effects these can have on your skin, nails, and hair. While these vary depending on the medications, as well as your specific skin, nail and hair type, most patients will experience at least some degree of visible change. Because you already have enough to deal with in managing cancer, it can be helpful to have some sense of changes to your body you might experience, along with a few helpful tips at the ready so that you can be your best you!
As you begin your specific treatment, it is important to understand the possible side effects associated with the chemotherapy medications and to have a plan as to what will be best for you in managing those side effects. In this article, we are specifically focusing on the impact to your skin.
Taking care of your nails during treatment ⇢
Hair care tips during treatment ⇢
It is critical to always take care of your skin (it’s actually the largest and most continuous organ in the body), starting with how you clean it, moisturize, and protect it from any and all harsh elements.
At the very least, take the time to gently cleanse your skin properly, doing twice daily (in the morning and before going to bed). Even if you do not wear makeup, you must cleanse your face. I have found Dove Moisturizing Body Wash to be very gentle and nourishing, and Simple Skin Cleanser to be equally excellent for the face. Whether you have always taken good care of your skin or not, it can begin today, right now, and it will greatly help you throughout your cancer journey and your life.
Three most common changes to the skin during your cancer treatment:
Rash/reddening/itchy spots (often on the hands/wrists and part of face/neck)
Peeling/cracking/scaling (often on the hands/feet)
Darkening (often on the feet/ankles)
A few initial steps you can take to make it better:
1 | Coconut oil
Apply small amount of coconut oil (note: always check for allergies prior to using) to the spot of the rash twice daily on clean skin. You can apply makeup over the spot once it has fully absorbed on your skin. You can also dab it lightly over makeup if the rash spot were to surface during the day (which can sometimes happen).
2 | Hydration
Drinking plenty of fluids (i.e., water or electrolyte-infused fluids) is key not only for the overall health of the body, but also for the health of your skin. Staying hydrated is one of the most beneficial actions you can take to ensure your skin is supple and able to rid toxins from the effects of your treatments.
3 | Heavy moisturizer and strong SPF protection are a must
Given the tendency for skin to dry during treatment, it is key to use a heavy hydrating lotion (i.e., Jergens Ultra Healing Dry Skin Moisturizer or Udderly Smooth Lotion). This is especially important for those whose chemotherapy medications can cause irritation to the hands and feet (sometimes known as hand-foot syndrome). Also apply extra before bedtime and wear cotton gloves (for hands) and socks (for feet) for extra absorption of the lotion. During the daytime, using a moisturizer that contains SPF is a must, regardless of your skin complexion. It is a must not just to protect you from the sun’s damaging rays, it is also because your skin is at greater risk due to your cancer and chemotherapy. I have always used SPF-based moisturizers and even more so on my cancer care journey, and so must you!
It is critical to always take care of your skin (it’s actually the largest and most continuous organ in the body), starting with how you clean it, moisturize, and protect it from any and all harsh elements.
At the very least, take the time to gently cleanse your skin properly, doing twice daily (in the morning and before going to bed). Even if you do not wear makeup, you must cleanse your face.
I have found Dove Moisturizing Body Wash to be very gentle and nourishing, and Simple Skin Cleanser to be equally excellent for the face.
Whether you have always taken good care of your skin or not, it can begin today, right now, and it will greatly help you throughout your cancer journey and your life.
Key Takeaway
And so, if you take nothing else away from this article, please consider this: take time to really take care and oil what may feel like surface items: your skin, your nails, and your hair, because that surface runs deep. This will help how you feel overall, now and as you move forward in your healing journey — in more ways than you may realize in this very moment. Trust me, I know.
With love,
Amelia O.
