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However, its likely that your doctors will ask that you completely change up your usual routine.
Graphic by Cristina Cianci
The same drugs that kill off the cancer cells also affect the growth of your skin cells.
Cancerous cells grow and multiply at a faster rate than healthy cells in the body.
Chemotherapy drugs stop the cancerous cells from growing and multiplying, but healthy cells are affected, too.
Skin cells are growing and replenishing themselves all the time.
And that makes them targets for the ravages of chemo.
Your complexion can also change during treatment, looking gray or yellow.
Cuticles become brittle and crack, nails dont grow, and hair often falls out, Bailey adds.
Weiss also points out that other side effects from chemo can directly and indirectly impact your skin and nails.
For example, the drug Seloda is known to cause hands and feet to get red and hypersensitive.
These issues go beyond cosmetic concerns.
Overall, theres an increased risk of infection when your skin and immune system are compromised by chemo.
Weiss adds that the disruption of the skin around the fingernail could be a source of infection.
(The best solution is to trim nails short so they dont snag on anything.
If youreprone to pickingas a nervous habit, try wearing gloves over your hands.)
All of the rules that apply to sensitive skin are true for those going through chemotherapy.
Search for products that are gentle, hydrating, and hypoallergenic.
That means giving up yourexfoliating regimen.
Exfoliating products remove skin build-up of dead cells and that process is not happening, says Bailey.
So skip the scrubs, AHAs, and glycolic acid.
Also put yourretinolroutine on pause.
And as always (but even more than usual),sun protectionis an essential.
Many chemo drugs and other drugs you are given during chemo can cause sun allergy, says Bailey.
I recommend the hypoallergenic zinc oxide physical sunscreens.
“You dont want any creams that have hormones in them on your skin during chemo either.”
Weiss recommends this thick ointment because it’s well tolerated by her patients.
Ingredients like cinnamon, peppermint, and citrus are common skin allergens.
Long, steamy showers might feel therapeutic, but they can strip stressed skin of its protective lipid barrier.
Be quick and gentle, and don’t be afraid to skip a shower.
One body wash her patients like to use is this fragrance-free formula from Aveeno.
“You shouldwash your facetwice a day to remove germs and grime,” says Bailey.
Bailey prefers aphysical sunscreenwith zinc oxide or titanium oxide, like this one from Neutrogena.
It’s as simple as you’ve got the option to get!
Just see to it to get the unscented version.
Weiss recommends wearing these 100+ SPF gloves when you’re outdoors for long periods of time or driving.
This foaming hand soap is one must-have to keep bacteria under control without drying out hands.
All of the products in the Beloved line are made to be chemo-safe.
A hint of lavender adds a welcome dose of calm.
Buy it:$48,violetsareblueskincare.com
