How to Take Care of Your Skin During Cancer Treatment

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we thought we would get involved and showcase what treatments we can offer in clinic and the best product recommendations to nurture skin in such difficult times. Receiving a cancer diagnosis is undisputedly the worst moment in someone’s life and a lot of fear and uncertainty surrounds the prognosis. As insignificant of an issue skincare may seem in such trying times, changes in skin are often the most commonly reported side effect noted by cancer patients going through treatment. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can alter the condition of skin and cause sensitivity, discolouration, redness and a very dry complexion. In this blog, we will take you through the best skincare products for when going through cancer.

Changes to skin during cancer treatment

It is common for skin to become very dry and sensitive to most things including UV radiation. With the skin being compromised, hydration and repairing barrier functioning is key.

Some other changes patients may experience include:

• Extremely dry cracked skin
• Irritation, redness, and rashes
• Peeling skin, nails, and cuticles
• Hyperpigmentation
• Radiation dermatitis (common on hands)

These are just some of the many skin changes that may occur, but what is important to realise is there are products that can help to restore and revive skin.

iS Clinical

iS Clinical products have been used successfully by active cancer patients for over a decade, during and post-treatment, successfully helping to repair skin function and improve the overall look and feel of skin.

iS Clinical Cream Cleanser is a gentle cleanser that is soothing and will effectively clean a drier skin without creating any inflammation.

iS Clinical Poly-Vitamin Serum is a rejuvenating resurfacing serum that is in a Hyaluronic base. This will help to rebuild a compromised skin barrier whilst also proving a host of anti-inflammatory ingredients. A great choice for those suffering with Radiation Dermatitis.

iS Clinical Hydra Cool Serum is a daily hydrating and soothing hyaluronic acid serum that will calm and soothe inflammation and help ease discomfort from radiation burns, dry and cracked nail cuticles.

iS Clinical Super Serum Advance+ is a super antioxidant, that well help reduce the appearance of scar tissue and help reduce inflammation in the skin, as well as reducing pigmentation.

iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance+ is an additional powerhouse of antioxidants, that helps to reduce redness and calm inflammation, especially when the skin is more compromised.

iS Clinical Body Complex is a hydrating body treatment that has been designed to strengthen the protective barrier of the skin on body preventing it from cracking and peeling.

iS Clinical Sheald Recovery Balm is a face and body super healing balm, that can be applied to raw, exposed skin, helping alleviate pain and discomfort and reducing the infection risk when the skin is exposed.

iS Clinical Extreme Protect SPF 40 is a Broad-spectrum sun protection, that contains DNA repair technology whilst also hydrating the skin and reducing redness and inflammation.

iS Clinical Harmony Facial

iS Clinical have developed the Harmony Facial specifically for patients undergoing cancer treatment. It is a soothing and revitalising facial designed to awaken the senses and restore balance to the skin as it renews tone, clarity and resilience.

With these high class botanical Pharmaceutical grade ingredients, you need not worry about putting anything that may have negative or harmful side effects to the skin. Instead you can focus your time and attention to the more important matters and leave the wellbeing of your skin to us.

ALLSKIN MED

Every product in the ALLSKIN MED range is multi-tasking, packed with active ingredients and innovative technologies. Personalised ALLSKIN MED regimes deliver beautiful results for all skin types, while being gentle on skin. The products are also safe and suitable for cancer patients.

ALLSKIN MED Purifying Gentle Cleanser

Hydrate skin while you cleanse with this gentle yet effective cleanser. This is suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive skin going through cancer treatment. This lightweight formula has added hydrators and creates a rich lather to remove impurities, excess oil and makeup to leave skin feeling fresh, clean and hydrated. Hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient to have in skincare products for cancer patients as this is a hydrating agent that draws moisture to skin without causing any irritation as well as Allantoin which soothes sensitised skin.

ALLSKIN MED GF High Potency Firming Serum

This light and rapidly absorbed repairing and regenerating serum is rich in growth factors that work to improve skin firmness and elasticity. This is ideal for cancer patients as it is formulated with growth factors, as well as skin hydrators and is very gentle on skin.

ALLSKIN MED GF Rich Replenishing Cream

Nourish and soothe your skin with this cream, formulated with active ingredients that provide powerful repairing and regenerating activity, perfect for skin that is compromised, irritated and exceptionally dry and dehydrated.

ALLSKIN MED GF Advanced Anti-Wrinkle Eye Contour

Not to forget the delicate eye area, this lightweight cream gel works to brighten and firm skin around the eye area. This is formulated with active, regenerative and hydrating ingredients, as well as brightening pigments that help to soften dark circles. This cream also tackles thinning skin and loss of firmness around the eye area, which is often a concern for cancer patients.

ALLSKIN MED Light Anti-Ox Moisturising Gel

Formulated with hydrating and antioxidant active ingredients, this ultra-light gel prevents and reduces visible signs of skin ageing and increases the brightness of the complexion. This is perfect for sensitive skin in need of hydration and it also contains growth factors. The light textured gel is free from perfumes and preservatives, which can cause reactions such as dermatitis and itchy, flaky skin for cancer patients, which needs to be avoided as skin is especially compromised during treatment.

ALLSKIN MED Mineral Fluid SPF 50

SPF is particularly important when undergoing cancer treatments, as skin is most sensitive and prone to UV damage. This advanced protection SPF is formulated with 100% mineral filters. It protects skin against damage caused by UV, visible light and infrared, plus cellular DNA damage. It is also enriched with powerful antioxidants to help protect skin from within. Alongside the SPF, we also recommend that you protect your body by wearing long sleeved clothing and a wide brim hat to minimise any risk of exposure, especially during peak hours.

Each of these products contain active ingredients and hydrators that deliver long-lasting results. Our expert clinicians can take you through a consultation to assess your skin and determine the ALLSKIN MED products that are suitable for your skin. When combining ALLSKIN MED into your personalised regime, the products work together in perfect synergy to deliver beautiful results, while being gentle on skin going through cancer treatments.

ALLSKIN MED Cancer Care Treatment

When on a cancer journey, your skin is often the first to suffer and show signs of stress. The ALLSKIN MED Cancer Care Treatment is designed to safely and effectively care for skin by gently awakening, restoring hydration levels and repairing a fragile and compromised barrier function.

The Cancer Care Treatment is designed to increase skin’s strength and resilience using the powerful technology of growth factors. Immediately after treatment, you would expect to see a healthy and radiant glow to your complexion. ALLSKIN MED products also work alongside the treatments to help deliver and maintain results.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month – get to know your normal

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a worldwide annual campaign taking place in October, involving thousands of organisations highlighting the importance of breast cancer awareness, the signs and symptoms, education and research.

Signs and Symptoms

It is important that everyone checks their chests regularly for any changes that may occur, everyone’s breasts and pectorals are different, therefore it is important that you get to know your normal. Overtime your changes will naturally occur with age and during hormonal changes, so it’s important to be breast aware, so you should know how they usually look and feel, that way when you spot any differences you can report them to your GP.

Make sure you check your chest regularly and seek medical advice if you notice any changes, such as:

• New lump in the breast or underarm
• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast
• Irritation or dimpling
• Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area
• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in any area of the breast
• Nipple discharge other than breast milk

If you are unsure or apprehensive about any changes or symptoms, please seek medical advice.

For all the amazing products features and more, shop online now. To book a face-to-face consultation with our professional clinicians, call 0113 282 7744. If you are looking for skincare advice, take our online skin test now and receive personalised product recommendations direct to your inbox.

Written for you by: Jess, Face the Future

Image source: freepik.com