Unfortunately, cancer is something that affects us all in some way. There is a real chance that you or someone close to you will have to deal with it at some point. To combat the disease, patients must undergo severe treatments. The medication used for this has a lot to do with the body, but also with the skin. When you receive the diagnosis, you naturally do not immediately think about the health of your skin. However, it is important to take proper and gentle care of it before, during and after treatments.
Every week at Self we receive emails, telephone calls and WhatsApp messages with heartbreaking stories and requests for advice. In this blog we will look at the most frequently asked questions with you, with a simple but honest answer.
What does such a treatment do to the skin?
Chemo or radiation medication is designed to combat rapidly dividing cancer cells, but normal, healthy cells are also affected. When healthy cells divide too quickly, this causes many problems. Consider, for example, the skin and hair, two parts of the body that contain many rapidly dividing cells. When the balance is disturbed, patients suffer from skin and hair changes. The skin becomes extremely dry, sensitive and wounds, irritation and flakes develop. Moreover, it is often inflamed and therefore extremely painful.
Not nice... everyone wants to feel as good as possible and those annoying skin problems certainly won't help with that. Fortunately, with the right care you can alleviate these ailments.
Tips for the best skincare
It is important to take good care of the skin before, during and after treatments. In preparation for the treatment, you should especially strengthen the skin barrier so that it remains healthy and well hydrated. It is also really important to take good care of the skin during and after! A few tips:
- Always wash the skin with lukewarm water and never with regular soap because that dries out the skin.
- Nourishes the skin daily with a moisturizing, non-irritating body cream to keep the skin supple and resilient.
- Avoid care products that contain a large dose of alcohol, which only dry out the skin. Also avoid other irritating ingredients, always check the ingredients list carefully!
- Use sunscreen daily to protect the skin from the sun. The skin often becomes more sensitive to sunlight during treatment.
- Only use Ph-neutral, unscented soap.
- Drink enough water, our body consists of 60% water and healthy, hydrated skin starts from within.
Ingredients to avoid
If you can't eat it, don't put it on your skin. This is the most important advice we can give you. But finding a suitable product is not easy… The problem is that many skin care brands make you lots of promises, but are actually selling air. If you also look at how many bad ingredients are in the products, you will be completely disappointed.
In general, there are a number of ingredients that you should avoid:
Ingredients to avoid
If you can't eat it, don't put it on your skin. This is the most important advice we can give you. But finding a suitable product is not easy… The problem is that many skin care brands make you lots of promises, but are actually selling air. If you also look at how many bad ingredients are in the products, you will be completely disappointed.
In general, there are a number of ingredients that you should avoid:
SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulfate): Many people think that foaming cleansers such as shampoos and soaps work better. But actually this is not the case at all. SLS is a surfactant or superficial active substance. In combination with water they can dissolve oil or fat. Yes, it is a good cleaner, but in addition to dirt and grease, such a product also removes the natural skin oils and can therefore damage the skin barrier. This often leads to dry and flaky skin.
Phthalates: Phthalates are plasticizers used to make plastic flexible. They are hormone disrupting substances that are often used to stabilize color and perfume or as a solvent. There are different types of phthalates: Diethyl phthalate (DEP), Di(iso-nonyl) phthalate (DiNP), Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA), Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), (…)
Parabens: Parabens are often found in cosmetics and care products. Why? Because parabens are preservatives that ensure that a product can be stored for longer. They are cheap and work well against various types of fungi and bacteria. But in recent years, the link between parabens and cancer has been increasingly highlighted. A 1998 study shows that these parabens can mimic natural estrogens, which play an important role in the development of breast cancer. Although more research needs to be conducted to be certain about this. But prevention is better than cure, so avoid parabens including methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and isobutylparaben.
Furthermore, PABA,Propylene glycol , Methyl nicotinate, alcohol, synthetic dyesor scents also rejected. So always read the label before trying new products.
So there are many ingredients that you should avoid, but which substances are suitable? It is best to choose natural ingredients that strengthen the barrier function of the skin. Please note: there are also natural ingredients that are not effective, so consciously choose substances that are known for their proven effect:
- Antioxidants such as vitamin E, C, ferulic acid, polyphenes and phystosterols. These substances fight free radicals and prevent premature aging.
- Anti-inflammatory substances such as allantoin and vitamin A, D, E that stimulate the healing process and prevent skin irritations.
- Restorative ingredients such as cinnamic acid, fatty acids, sterols and squalene that protect the skin against negative external influences. They strengthen the barrier function and ensure good hydration of the skin.
- Glycerin ensures that the skin remains hydrated.
Self's products: mild and completely natural
Our products are 100% natural and free of parabens, synthetic additives and other irritants. Self is the result of an extensive search for effective products for all skin types, including the most sensitive. They are formed with the best ingredients from mother nature: coconut, macadamia, shea butter, aloe vera and argan. Substances full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that protect and repair the skin.
Self's products: mild and completely natural
Our products are 100% natural and free of parabens, synthetic additives and other irritants. Self is the result of an extensive search for effective products for all skin types, including the most sensitive. They are formed with the best ingredients from mother nature: coconut, macadamia, shea butter, aloe vera and argan. Substances full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that protect and repair the skin.
Did you have any questions about your skin or our products? You can always contact us by email (team@naturalself.eu) or WhatsApp (0470 21 99 87). We are happy to help you.
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