Cancer : How to take care of your skin during treatment?

On the occasion of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want to address a sensitive topic for those affected by cancer: how to take care of your skin during treatment?

Breast cancer and its treatments can lead to skin side effects such as dryness, irritation or redness, and even changes in skin texture, which can become thinner and more fragile. But rest assured, there are solutions to soothe the skin and restore daily comfort. In this article, discover our tips for an adapted beauty routine. The challenge? Maintaining healthy, comfortable skin throughout the treatment and beyond!

Taking care of yourself during the ordeal of cancer is key. Taking care of your skin can greatly improve your comfort and quality of life during and after treatment.

Cancer treatments and their impact on the skin

Cancer treatments can have many side effects, some of which directly affect the skin.

Breast cancer surgery, whether lumpectomy or mastectomy, inevitably leaves scars. These scars evolve for around 18 months after the operation. They can be a source of skin stiffness and tension, pain or unpleasant sensations, changes in skin appearance, without underestimating the psychological impact linked to body image. It is therefore important to take care of these scars to promote healing and minimize their long-term appearance.

By targeting rapidly dividing cells, chemotherapy affects not only cancer cells, but also healthy skin, hair and nail cells. Numerous adverse skin reactions have been reported in patients undergoing treatment:

Increased skin dryness
Pigment spots
Photosensitivity (increased sensitivity to sunlight)
Redness
Erythema
Itching
Fragile nails

It's important to note that these effects vary considerably from person to person. Some experience few side effects, while others feel them more intensely.

Radiotherapy, on the other hand, can cause what is known as radiodermatitis. Symptoms generally appear 1 to 2 weeks after the start of treatment, and may include dryness and flaking of the skin in the treated area, itching, redness, swelling or blistering of the skin.

Hormone therapy, indicated for the treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancers, can also have effects on the skin. The reduction in estrogen can lead to a loss of skin moisture, resulting in dry skin. Skin can become thinner and more fragile. Some patients report premature aging, with sagging skin and deepening wrinkles. Although not a direct effect on the skin, hot flushes can cause redness and excessive sweating, affecting skin comfort.

Targeted therapies can also have adverse effects on the skin, such as acne. The use of immunotherapy can also lead to immune-related reactions, such as inflammation, redness or itching./p>

Once again, the frequency and severity of these cutaneous effects vary widely, depending on the individual, the protocols used and the doses administered. In all cases, their management should be an integral part of overall breast cancer treatment, with a personalized approach combining appropriate dermatological care and psychological support.

Cosmetic care for fragile skin

To mitigate these undesirable skin effects, it's essential to adopt an appropriate skincare routine, to soothe, protect and maintain healthy, comfortable skin throughout the treatment.

Opt for gentle, natural... and organic cosmetics

Opt for products formulated with natural and organic ingredients for optimum tolerance.

Moisturizing creams, repair balms and plant oils are your allies in providing deep nourishment and strengthening the skin barrier. Choose light, non-comedogenic textures that penetrate easily without leaving a greasy film.

In these particularly delicate moments, it's important not to aggress the skin, and above all to let it breathe and regenerate. That's why it's best to opt for products without essential oils and less concentrated in pure active ingredients, to give the skin time to repair itself.

Choose cosmetics that are 100% natural and organic, with no petrochemicals, silicones, parabens, palm oils or derivatives, and no controversial ingredients.

Gentle cleansing, protection, and intensive hydration

Prefer gentle cleansing with soap-free cleansing products that gently cleanse fragile skin. Use moisturizing or emollient creams specifically formulated for sensitized skin. Apply SPF 50+ sun protection daily, to prevent photosensitivity.

Ingredients and products to avoid during treatments

To avoid any allergic reactions or irritations, it's crucial to read the labels on your cosmetic products carefully. Certain ingredients, such as fragrances, colorants, preservatives, alcohols and essential oils, can interact with treatments and/or sensitize fragile skin. So, during treatments, it's best to avoid :

Scented products that can irritate the skin
Products containing alcohol
Overly aggressive exfoliants and scrubs
Essential oils, which can interact with treatments because they are highly active
Products containing parabens or sulfates.

Choose hypoallergenic, dermatologically tested products.

An adapted beauty routine during cancer

Here is a recommended daily routine:

Gentle cleansing: use a soap-free cleanser to remove impurities while respecting your skin's hydrolipidic film.
Regular moisturizing: apply a moisturizing cream several times a day, concentrating on the driest areas.
Sun protection: Even in bad weather, protect your skin from UV rays with a high SPF sunscreen.
Moisturizing face mist: spray regularly with a moisturizing mist to soothe feelings of discomfort.
Specific care: for hands and feet, which are particularly sensitive during chemotherapy, use a nourishing balm.

A few more tips:

Dry yourself by gently dabbing your skin rather than rubbing it.
Wear loose-fitting, soft organic cotton clothing.
Avoid hot baths and chlorinated pools.
Avoid scratching itchy areas.

Our selection of Les Huilettes skincare products perfect for cancer patients

The Sensitive range for sensitive and reactive skin

Les Huilettes offers a Sensitive range particularly suited to skin weakened by anti-cancer treatments.

Les Huilettes Sensitive range has been specially designed to meet the needs of sensitive and reactive skin. Formulated with natural, organic ingredients and no essential oils, our skin care products are gentle, soothing and nourishing. They are free from synthetic fragrances, parabens and other potentially irritating ingredients. The plant oils used are rich in essential fatty acids, helping to strengthen the skin barrier. Their light, non-greasy formulas enable rapid absorption, ideal for sensitized skin. Natural active ingredients such as Calendula, Camelina, Sunflower, Plum and Pomegranate provide soothing, anti-inflammatory properties.

Les Huilettes Sensitive range can be perfectly integrated into your daily skincare routine, offering a gentle, natural alternative for caring for your skin during and after treatments.

Sensitive skincare routine

Start by gently cleansing your face with les huilettes extra-gentle soap. Its superfatted formula, enriched with natural glycerine and cold-saponified exclusively with organic vegetable oils and butters, gently cleanses your skin without drying it out.

Invigorate your skin and brighten your complexion with a spritz of MIST anti-stress moisturizing facial mist! Free of essential oils, perfectly suited to life's delicate moments, its floral scent of Lemon Balm, Rose and Geranium provides freshness and relaxation.

Then apply a few drops of SENSITIVE all-in-one serum. This treatment nourishes and soothes the skin, offering a complete cure of complementary omegas (3, 5, 6, 7 and 9) for more glow, regeneration and tone.

Apply our CREAM universal emulsion to nourish and moisturize your skin in complete safety. Its delicate, non-greasy texture ensures rapid absorption. Fragrance-free, CREAM contains naturally-derived retinol and natural hyaluronic acid for an anti-aging moisturizing action. And you can even use it in a thick layer as a super-moisturizing mask, in case of discomfort.

Bonus for your nails and hair: RESCUE and HAIR

RESCUE is an ultra-nourishing SOS balm for body, face and lips that nourishes, repairs and soothes very dry skin and all its little sores, scabs, xeroses, chapped skin, small scars, etc. For use without moderation, especially on hands and brittle nails.

To complement your hair care routine, start HAIR's fortifying treatment for hair and nails! Rich in minerals, vitamins and nutrients, this dietary supplement nourishes the hair fiber from the inside out, boosting regrowth and restoring strength and vitality. Once a day, morning or evening, take two capsules of Cure Hair with a large glass of water.

Conclusion

Taking care of your skin during cancer is essential to maintaining a good quality of life and promoting general well-being. By adopting an appropriate routine and using products specifically formulated for sensitized skin, you can considerably reduce the cutaneous side effects of treatment.

Take care of yourself and your skin, and remember that every person is unique. Don't hesitate to consult your oncologist or dermatologist for personalized advice. Your overall well-being is of paramount importance in your care and healing journey.

Finally, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we'd like to remind you of the importance of early detection of breast cancer.