A scene from a recent Milwaukee Race for the Cure.
Recently, I’ve received letters asking me about skin care for cancer patients, a topic which touches me personally (my grandmother died of breast cancer in 1994) and which is clinically very relevant, as cancer prevalence is high, with approximately 10 million Americans currently living with the disease. As one can only imagine, the skin of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and selected pharmaceutical therapies is extremely sensitive, a thought verified by a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, in which the stratum corneum of the epidermis was found to be substantially thinner in patients undergoing therapy with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor ZD1839.
Here are some thoughts for effective skin care for cancer patients:
1. Talk to your oncologist and/or dermatologist. A board-certified, licensed oncologist or dermatologist can administer a course of treatment for your specific needs, as the level to which skin is affected varies by the individual, as well as the strength and duration of the therapies administered. A great tool for finding a dermatologist in your area is provided by the American Academy of Dermatology here.
2. Check labels to avoid potential irritants. More specifically, according to clinical aesthician Dawn Baker of the Chrysalis Spa and Skin Care Center, “the most frequent cosmetic culprits [for irritation in cancer patients] are fragrances, colorants, preservatives [including parabens], and lanolin and its derivatives, p-phenylenediamine (PPD) and propylene glycol.”
3. Use a gentle touch. According to an official report from the FDA, cancer patients must be careful never to “pull, tug or scrub the face too hard.” In addition, the agency notes, “overzealous cleansing can strip away the remaining natural oils.” Cleanse twice daily with a dermatologist (and/or oncologist) approved cleanser, like Lindi Face Wash ($22.00, Amazon.com).
4. Look into Lindi Skin products. According to LindiSkin.com, the company’s products were designed to be gentle and effective for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments, though I still highly encourage individuals who are interested in these products to speak to their oncologist and/or dermatologist first. At any rate, two of my favorite products in the line are the Lindi Face Moisturizer ($32.00, Amazon.com) and the Lindi Eye Hydrator ($30.00, Amazon.com).
5. Don’t forget the sunscreen! According to the FDA, cancer patients are advised “to moisturize with products containing sunscreens with an SPF of at least 15 because people undergoing chemotherapy may be more sensitive to harmful ultraviolet rays.” However, take caution that your sunscreen doesn’t contain any potentially irritating chemicals. One potential sunscreen to mention: California Baby Super Sensitive No Fragrance SPF 30+ ($25.15, Amazon.com), which is an organic, physical sunscreen with no fragrance. However, be sure to talk to your oncologist and dermatologist before trying any new skin care products, even sunscreen.
6. Use lip balm. Because chemotherapy can lead to drying of the skin, patients can, according to Harley Haynes, M.D., a dermatologist with Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, “use nonpigmented lip balms or petrolatum-based products.” Dr. Haynes stresses that “lipsticks [should be used] only when lips are in good condition.” Some excellent balms to try include Vaseline Lip Therapy Petrolatum Jelly ($1.99, Drugstore.com) and Neutrogena Lip Moisturizer SPF 15 (pictured, $3.89, Drugstore.com).
7. Avoid acrylic nails. According to Harley Haynes, M.D., “It’s not a good idea to cover the nails with acrylics or other types of wraps… since these materials can trap bacteria that may cause infection. Instead, the nails can be clipped short and moisturized with lotions.”
8. Be aware that lotions may not be able to completely get rid of your dry skin. Because chemotherapy and radiation can be so harsh, in certain cases, topical lotions unfortunately do not provide much healing or preventative effects, according to The European Journal of Critical Care. Fortunately, according to the same study, the use of topical agents was found to aid in patient comfort.
With cancer prevalence as high as it is, I hope that this article helps someone out there! 🙂 Please comment if you have any additional helpful hints for cancer patients out there.