Impact of cancer treatments on skin
INTRODUCTION:

Article Read Duration 1 min read

The working group European SKIn Management in Oncology (ESKIMO) has analysed and identified the various side effects of treatments and has proposed recommendations of suitable dermo-cosmetic care products. This section is a guide of best practices and products which may help limit and prevent the cutaneous side effects of cancer treatments.


These valuable dermo-cosmetic hygiene tips will help improve patients’ daily lives during their illness.


“Daily cosmetic care is essential to protect the skin from aggressive cancer treatments. It is the key to a better quality of life during treatments.”  Professor Brigitte Dréno*


Do not hesitate to ask your medical team (doctor, oncologist, dermatologist, nurses) about cutaneous effects of cancer treatments.


SUMMARY OF THE KEY PREVENTION MEASURES 
BEFORE TREATMENT

 

Prevent cutaneous infections while grooming

TO DO

Cleansing gels without soap (syndet, dermatological bar, milk) that respect the acidic pH of the skin (5.5)

TO AVOID

Ordinary soaps without physiological pH greater than 5.5 and Lotions with alcohol, perfumes, deodorant with fragrances

 

Prevent sunburns

TO DO

Use photoprotection when outdoors year-round (anti UVA high to very high / anti UVB: SPF 50)

TO AVOID

Sun exposure without protection

Caution: remember that UVAs are not filtered out by windows or clouds

 

Nail care

TO DO

Protect your nails with a strengthening nail polish

TO AVOID

Repeated manicures and/or pedicures

Cutting your nails too short

Foot baths in hot water

 

Prevent any kind of trauma

TO DO

Wear suitable shoes

Wear gloves when performing manual tasks

Take short showers at appropriate temperatures

Dry your skin without rubbing

TO AVOID

Shoe friction

Handiwork

Water that is too hot or too cold

Long baths or showers

Rubbing the skin with a towel

Sources

Livret pharmaciens – gérer les effets secondaires cutanés des thérapies anti-cancer. [Booklet for pharmacists – managing the cutaneous side effects of cancer treatments.

ESKIMO group round table: Bensadoun RJ, Dreno B, Humbert P, Krutmann J, Luger T, Rougier A, Triller R.

 

*Updated in May 2016 by

Professor Brigitte Dréno

Director of the Department of Dermato Cancerology

Director of the Unit of Gene and Cell Therapy

Vice Dean for Research at the Faculty of Medicine Nantes France

TRUE
OR FALSE

True or False Visual 3

 "False" question image

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True or False Visual 1

SUN IS GOOD FOR YOU IF YOU'RE
UNDERGOING A CANCER TREATMENT.

FALSE  "False" question image

Some cancer treatments cause the skin to be more sensitive to sunlight. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation puts you at risk for very intense sunburns, so it is generally advised to avoid any sun exposure. You should be even more careful if you are undergoing radiation therapy, as chronic radiodermatitis may occur, in some cases even several years after your treatment.
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True or False Visual 1

THE LA ROCHE-POSAY'S THERMAL SPRING WATER
HAS MAGICAL POWERS.

TRUE  "True" answer image

Well kind of. La Roche-Posay's "velvet water" has been recognized for its anti-inflammatory, healing and soothing properties.
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True or False Visual 2

HAIR LOSS IS ACTUALLY A SIGN THAT YOUR
CANCER TREATMENT IS WORKING.

TRUE  "True" answer image

One of the most dreaded side effects, hair loss is also a sign that the treatment is working: by introducing a toxic product in the blood, chemotherapy destroys rapidly-multiplying cells, such as cancer cells, but also some healthy cells such as those in hair follicles. This is why hair and body hair are often the first affected.
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OUR SAFETY
COMMITMENTS

Safety standards beyond international cosmetics regulations.

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100% PRODUCTS
ALLERGY TESTED

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One Prerequisite = Zero Allergic reactions
If we detect a single case, we go back to the labs and reformulate
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JUST THE ESSENTIAL,
AT THE RIGHT ACTIVE DOSE

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Developed in collaboration with dermatologist and toxicologist, our products contain only the necessary ingredients, at the right active dose.
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TESTED
ON VERY SENSITIVE
 SKIN

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Our products' tolerance is verified on the most sensitive skin: reactive, allergic, acne-prone, atopic, damaged or weakened by cancer treatments.
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FORMULA PROTECTION
OVER TIME

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We select the most protective packaging associated with only the necessary preservatives, to guarantee intact tolerance and efficacy over time.