How to keep skin from getting fried during radiation therapy
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free skin care · Tue Oct 16, 2007 4:22 pm

I have a friend of a friend who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer at a very young age (27, I think). She's getting married in December, and she's going to have to be in radiation therapy nearly every day up until her wedding. She's worried that it's going to make her look totally fried, and our mutual friend asked me to look into some tips for how to keep her skin from getting too damaged so she doesn't look terrible in all her wedding photos, etc. (And of course, she'd like to fend off long-term damage too!)

Normally I'm a physical-only sunblock gal, but this is a special case. I'm thinking of getting her into some Anthelios stuff, as well as some other high mineral protection sunwear to layer, but I also wanted to ask about some of the stronger, prescription-strength sunscreens that contain silver - i.e. they look totally opaque and white when you wear them, and they're obviously no good for daily wear, but she could maybe wear them during treatment.

I'm really not familiar with radiation therapy or how the exact process works, or whether ANYTHING I've written above will be able to help. But I figure some of you may have good input and tips for how she can protect her skin and look okay for her big day, as well as help fend off longer-term damage. All of your input would be most helpful, and I will pass on all your wisdom and tips. Thanks in advance! I'll also post more relevant details if I find out anything specific that will help refine this topic.

free skin care · Tue Oct 16, 2007 4:26 pm

Ginnieliz,
I met an aesthetician at a retreat for cancer survivors, we were there as practioners, and she had become interested in skincare for those undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments. I know she did a lot of work with several agencies so I'll give her a call and ask what tips she has to offer.

free skin care · Tue Oct 16, 2007 4:41 pm

Thank you, BluesHeart -- that's very generous of you! I'm happy to know that such experts do exist out there. Looking forward to your updates, and thanks again!

Tue Oct 16, 2007 5:07 pm

While I am much older than your friend, I did undergo radiation therapy for breast cancer 5 years ago. My skin is fair, and I had very little redness or irritation. The only thing I was allowed to use was Aquaphor (sp?). Everyone's skin is different, but hopefully she will not have a severe reaction. My heart goes out to her to be dealing with this at such a young age.

Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:44 am

When my mum was undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer the she found that Jurlique's calendula cream was the only thing that made a big difference in terms of keeping the skin moisturised and also calming some of the redness.

free skin care · Wed Oct 17, 2007 4:03 pm

ginnie, no advise on this topic but I'll send positive thoughts your way for your friend.

free skin care · Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:13 pm

When I was undergoing radiation several years ago, I was advised not to use anything at all on the skin during treatment, but that I could use products to soothe afterward as long as they were very gentle. I found that Lush's Skins Shangri-la moisturizer was my best friend--I must have gone through six or seven pots of it. I still use it sometimes, partly because it reminds me of a scary time that I nevertheless got through...

free skin care · Thu Oct 18, 2007 4:23 am

Egyptian Magic Cream is good for this purpose.

free skin care · Mon Nov 05, 2007 7:54 pm

OP: I hope your friend is doing okay now.

I just finished a 5 week course of radiation treatment on my hand for a fast-growing but thankfully benign tumour.

I assume you know by now, but your friend should not use anything at all that might have metals in it -- so no minerals, no silver based protectants.

Actually wearing any kind of skin protection during radiation is not advised at all.

Also, fyi, getting radiation is kinda like microwaving food, 30% of the 'cooking' is done after the food comes out of the microwave.

Likewise, it's entirely possible that your friend's skin will be getting worse the week after radiation, and won't start to turn around until 1-2 weeks after radiation stops. You might want to prepare her for that. Once radiation is done, the salt soaks really really help and I've been loading the area with heli, rosehip oil and emu oil.

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