Cancer treatments can wreak havoc on your appearance. While beauty may be low on your list of priorities when you're facing a serious illness, feeling good about how you look can lift your spirits and your self-confidence.
Cancer patients have unique skin and hair care challenges. For example, hormone therapy can cause blotchy patches on the face and dry patches along the jaw line. Here are some tips for overcoming cancer-related beauty challenges:
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Use hypoallergenic products and avoid those with fragrances, alcohol, hormones (such as products with hydrocortisone), or fruit acids.
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Stick to the basics and skip anti-aging or exfoliating products. Ramy Gafni, a makeup artist and cancer survivor, recommends baby products, which are gentle on the skin.
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Hydrate your skin from the inside out. Drink plenty of water and use a gentle moisturizer, such as Cetaphil or Eucerin. Don't forget to moisturize your scalp if you've lost your hair.
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When you visit a salon, be sure your makeup stylist uses clean, disposable, applicators, sponges, and brushes. You don't want to risk acquiring an infection while your immune system is weakened.
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Some chemotherapy drugs can turn your fingernails black. Apply dark-colored nail polish and use acetone-free remover.
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Apply 100 percent pure aloe vera gel to sooth radiation burns.
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Cancer treatment can leave your skin looking washed out or blotchy. Gel bronzers or tinted moisturizers can make your skin glow and even out skin tones.
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Wear sunscreen on your face and scalp.
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Beauty experts suggest cutting your hair short before treatment begins so hair loss will not be as dramatic. They also recommend shopping for a wig while you still have your hair.
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If you lose your eyelashes and eyebrows, skip the false eyelashes. Instead, use deep-colored eyeliner around the base of the entire eye and draw on eyebrows with a color as close to your natural color as possible. Finish with a pat of translucent powder.
The American Cancer Society's (ACS) "Look Good, Feel Better" program matches volunteer stylists and beauty professionals (many of whom are cancer survivors themselves) with cancer patients. Visit the ACS's website to find a "Look Good, Feel Better" program near you. Check out the Instyle Makeover Tool, a virtual makeover software program that allows you to experiment with different looks.
Sources:
Makeupandbeautyblog.com. "Makeup and Beauty Tips for Breast Cancer Patients: Staying Beautiful Inside and Out!" Web. 12 October 2007.
http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/makeup-and-beauty-tips-for-breast-cancer-patients-staying-beautiful-inside-and-out-product-reviews-bath-tartes-sweet-dreams-lipstick/
Garrison, Mark. "Hair Care Advice for Cancer Patients." Ladies Home Journal. Web.
http://www.lhj.com/style/hair/advice/hair-care-advice-for-cancer-patients/
Clark, Sarah. "Beauty Treatment Therapies for Cancer Patients." Beautytreatmentexpert.co.uk. Web. 14 July 2010.
http://www.beautytreatmentexpert.co.uk/beauty-treatment-therapies-for-cancer-patients.html
Cancersurvivorsblogspot.com. "Beauty Tips for Cancer Patients." Web.
http://cancer-survivors.blogspot.com/2007/10/beauty-tips-for-cancer-patients.html
Hamlin, Emily. "Skin care and hair advice for cancer patients, survivors." Cleveland.com. Web. 12 October 2011. The Plain Dealer http://www.cleveland.com/style/index.ssf/2011/10/skin_care_and_hair_advice_for.html
