Beauty tip #7: body skin care

During chemo it's normal that our skin feels dryer, more sensitive and delicate in general. Remember we are receiving very strong medications to kill cancer cells, so imagine what that can do to our skin or any other healthy cells! Again skin cells divide fast, and because of chemo they are also dying faster... Keeping your skin hydrated and healthy will not only boost your self-stem during chemo, but also protect you from unwanted infections. So below is a skin survival plan to keep our skin feeling and looking healthy!

Tip #1: The rule of three

This was the best advice my amazing dermatologist Dr Veronica Bender gave me. The rule of three means you should have a shower of no more than 3 minutes, wash 3 body parts (feet, underarm and genitalia) and moisturise up to 3 minutes after you have left the shower. The 3 minute shower rule was very tough for me, as I love shower time very much! But having no hair it was easier to follow it. Also I soon noticed that putting moisturiser immediately after the shower made a huge difference in how my skin absorbed it, helping to keep it naturally hydrated and looking healthier.

Tip #2: Have quick showers with lukewarm water

Besides quick showers of no more than 3 minutes, remember to use lukewarm water (instead of hot water). Hot water will strip your skin from natural skin oils, making your skin even dryer.

Tip #3: Use products for sensitive skin and moisturise every day

I have always used moisturisers, so my routine in that regards didn't change much. Because of that, my skin still felt close to "normal". Try to use products that are very gentle: no detergents, no fragrance and no colour, and stay away from body soaps or cleansers that contain alcohol or oil. Oils are not good during chemo because they don’t add moisture, they just lock it in, so they won’t help if have no moisture to start with. Instead use body butter with vitamin E and ingredients to heal your skin, such as aloe, arnica and chamomile, and ingredients that attract water, such as hyaluronic acid, filaggrin and avocado. Dr Bender recommended me to use Cetaphil Restoraderm Moisturiser which, according to their website, “is a rapid and long lasting moisturiser. This light, creamy, non-greasy moisturiser provides intensive hydration to help restore the skin's natural barrier. The formulation contains filaggrin break-down products that help increase and retain moisture content, by supplementing the natural moisturising factors of the skin. The patented Ceramide technology in the lotion nourishes skin and increases the skin's ability to retain moisture.” Also avoid exfoliating, as your skin needs time to heal. This blog written by a dermatologist undergoing chemo has several products she recommends us to use.

Just remember to moisturise, moisturise, moisturise!

Tip #4: Avoid the sun

Chemo drugs can make our skin more sensitive to damage by sun light and, thus, burn easier. Exposing our delicate chemo skin to sun light might also result in spots and uneven pigmentation! But this doesn’t mean you need to stay inside during your treatment. Actually, independent of your health state the best anti-wrinkle cream is sunscreen! If you want to go outside remember to apply sunscreen with SPF30 or more at least half an hour before going outdoors, and wear a hat (especially if you are bald like me – hats are very charming and you will look super glamorous!). Also enjoy outdoor activities before 11 am and after 3pm, when the sun is not as strong. Between 11 and 3, go out for lunch or find a shade under a tree to read a book, which will be super relaxing!

Tip: always have a little jar of sunscreen in your handbag! I bought one to myself and my best friends too for about $4.

Tip #5: nourish your skin from the inside

My final tip here is to drink lots of water, as this will help to keep your skin hydrated! It is easier if you carry a bottle of water around and have frequent sips (which will help with mouth sores too). I will teach in the next blog how to make water taste better if your taste buds have changed with the treatment.

Lots of love and have a great Sunday!

Fran xo