Beauty tip #1: hygiene
Yes you read it right: hygiene is super important to keep us beautiful and healthy during chemo. The cells that protect us from infections, called white blood cells, are highly affected by chemo drugs, so our immune system is highly impaired. This means we are much more likely to get ANY type of infection. From a common cold, to an eye infection due to makeup, to something more serious that might require hospitalisation. Nobody wants, on the top of chemo side effects, swollen eyes or lips due to an infection that could have been avoided! So remember to be mindful about makeup and skin treatment during chemo.
Tips:
Wash your hands before applying makeup or cosmetics, and tightly close jars and tubes the after use.
Remember to keep your skin and lips hydrated, so it doesn’t crack, as open wounds get infected.
Never share makeup applicators, including brushes, lipstick, eyeliners, etc.
When possible, use disposable cotton tips or pads to apply creams.
Use brushes, sponges or cotton balls to apply makeup, and wash sponges with a mild soap after each use.
If you are trying makeup in a shop, never try it directly on your face. Instead try them in your hands or wrists, and wash it off soon after (I always have in my bag hand sanitiser and wipes).
Check expiry dates, and don’t use products past the recommended date.