How to take care of yourself if you suffer from breast cancer

More beautiful, more positive

Strengthening skin hydration, protecting yourself from the sun, repopulating the eyebrows or counteracting hair loss are just some of the treatments that help improve the image and mood of cancer patients. Here we tell you which are the most suitable beauty care.

Facial hydration

During cancer treatments, it is advisable to reinforce hydration and, above all, choose products for hypersensitive skin.

Avène Emulsion Tolérance Extrême Facial Moisturizer, € 22.44

CC Cream

The skins that undergo oncological treatments tend to acquire a dull tone. An excellent "all-in-one" option is a BB or CC cream, which in addition to hydrating, unifies the tone with a slight touch of color. This one from Eucerin also provides hyaluronic acid, ideal to hide wrinkles.

Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler CC Cream, € 32

Solar protection

Sensitivity to the sun is one of the negative effects of cancer-fighting medical treatments, as the skin is more prone to skin reactions. That is why it is advisable to always use sunscreen with SPF 50+.

A-Derma Protect AD 50+ sunscreen, € 22.64

Gel for sensitive skin

Radiation therapy and chemotherapy make the skin drier and more sensitive. The best thing to do is to clean it with a neutral pH gel and without soap to avoid tightness.

Be + Soap Free Bath Gel for Dehydrated and Sensitive Skin, € 11.40

Repairing body lotion

After the radiotherapy session, the skin appreciates a balm that restores comfort. The most suitable are those that incorporate nourishing and restorative ingredients, such as this one from María D'Uol, which contains shea butter, rosehip oil and aloe.

Repairing Balm from María D'Uol's Oncology line, € 34.90

Hair wash cream

When hair is lost momentarily, protect the scalp from irritation and redness with a neutral shampoo or hair washing creams. Leonor Greyl's is very low foaming and cleans extremely gently, providing instant well-being.

Leonor Greyl Crème Aux Fleurs Cleansing Cream, € 23

Organic oil

In addition to deeply hydrating and nourishing the skin, body oils made from organic ingredients help keep infections at bay.

The Organic Neem Oil by My Organics, € 38

Handcream

Many of the firms with products that are ideal for cancer patients take the opportunity to launch limited and solidarity editions a little before and after October 19, World Breast Cancer Day. For the sale of each container of this Salerm cream, the VMV Group Foundation gives 1 euro to the fight against cancer.

Salerm Cosmetics Intense Repair Prebiotic Hand Cream, € 10

Thermal water

Thermal water sprays provide immediate relief for the skin of the face and body when irritations appear after medical cancer treatments. It contains hyaluronic acid, vitamin B3 and Vichy mineralizing thermal water. Adapted to the most sensitive skins, its formula is hypoallergenic and its finish is dry to the touch.

Aqualia Thermal Extrasensitive Spray by Vichy, € 22

Revitalizing brow serum

During cancer treatment, the hairs on the eyebrows become weak and often fall out. To strengthen the hair in this area and help protect it from breakage, there are specific serums with peptides and botanical extracts that promote their growth.

RevitaBrow Advanced Brow Revitalizer, ed. Limited Pink Ribbon 2017, by RevitaLash, € 115

Eyebrow makeup

When the eyebrows are depopulated, the best weapon is to use makeup to disguise it until the hair grows back. There are a multitude of options: eyeliners, brow masks or shadows. This Benefit format makes it very easy for you.

Benefit Foolproof Brow Powder with Applicator (Available in 3 Shades: Light, Medium and Dark), € 26

Eye liner

Makeup helps give your face more expressiveness, but it doesn't have to be too intense either. You can enhance your look, for example, with a brown eyeliner, which is much more natural than black. And even better if it is hypoallergenic, like this one from La Roche-Posay.

La Roche-Posay Respectissime Brown Eyeliner, € 10.55

Lip balms and oils

Texture counts too. As lips tend to dry out, the most suitable formulas as a daily treatment are nourishing balms and lip oils, with a glossy effect, with natural ingredients.

Huile Confort Lèvres by Clarins, available in 7 shades, € 22

Ultra-hydrating, Blistex Triple Butters lip balm is formulated with mango, shea and tucuma butters, € 3.50

During and after breast cancer treatment, skin and hair undergo transformations that require specific care. Let's see what they are and how they help women feel more favored and better emotionally . For this, we have had the advice of Nuria Soteras, director of the Backstage BCN beauty center and specialist in oncological aesthetics; and Olga G. San Bartolomé, head of the hairdresser at the same center.

Reinforce hydration

Radiation therapy and chemotherapy make the skin more dry, sensitive and vulnerable, so it must be gently cleaned and deeply hydrated.

Neutral soaps and gels are recommended. It should be noted that the pH is 5.5; and when drying the body, do it with gentle touches of the towel, without rubbing.
Hydration 2 times a day. It is important to do it after chemotherapy or radiotherapy, since before the treatments the skin must be clean, without traces of cream. It is best to choose soothing, nourishing and hypoallergenic moisturizers. Among other ingredients, mango or shea butter, rosehip, vitamin F or arnica are recommended.
For lips and nose. For the dryness of these areas, there are special balsams and oils with first pressure virgin olive oil, chamomile, rosemary, thyme, hypericum or vitamin E, which provide immediate hydration and allow you to regain comfort.
To relieve irritation. Hot spring sprays are an excellent option.

Don't forget your hands and feet

Use a regenerating hand and foot cream daily and protect them in cold weather with gloves and cotton socks. Synthetic fabrics can irritate the skin, which is highly sensitive. Also watch out for manicures and pedicures. Better not risk possible injuries, because they take longer to heal, and put yourself in the hands of professional centers.

Protect yourself well from the sun

Sensitivity to the sun is another negative effect of medical treatments that fight cancer. The skin is more prone to skin reactions, such as eczema, inflammation or burns. In this case, the solution is easy, you should apply sunscreen 50+, both on the face and on the body. You do not have to worry about the texture of sunscreens, because they have evolved a lot and you can buy very pleasant and quickly absorbed lotions.

"Repopulate" eyebrows and lashes

The eyebrows and eyelashes play an important role in the appearance of the face. So when many women disappear as a result of treatment, they look very different and feel like they lose their identity a bit. What to do?

Do not use false eyelashes and eyebrows. The glue with which they are placed can irritate the skin, although extensions can be used as long as you have your own hair, the beauty expert tells us.
The best, make up. When there is no hair, makeup is our best ally. There are workshops to teach women to draw their eyebrows and even templates to make it almost automatic.
Micropigmentation. This semi-permanent technique can be used before or at the beginning of radiation therapy, but never during chemotherapy, because there may be a risk of infection.
Eyebrow and eyelash activator serum. Once the treatment is finished, it can be used daily to enhance its growth. They are somewhat expensive, but they last a long time, and with continued use they are very effective.

The scalp, with and without hairpieces

It is advisable to inform your oncologist well about the type of chemotherapy treatment that is carried out, since not all of them cause alopecia. In the event that hair has been lost, the process is reversible, since chemotherapy does not destroy the hair follicles, it only temporarily stops their activity.

To reinforce the hair loss. It is recommended to facilitate perspiration at all times, hydrate and oxygenate the scalp and activate circulation with appropriate massages.
When the fall is complete. You can opt for a wig. It is advisable to go to a specialized center, where it will be made to measure, with natural hair and exactly the same hair color, if desired. Those with natural hair are more expensive, but the result is much more natural and aesthetic. Synthetics require less care, but the hairstyle will always have to be the same. There are some that are glued with a special adhesive to the scalp and are changed in the center itself every 15 days, although the removable ones are more recommended, as it is important to leave the head uncovered for a minimum of 6 hours a day to favor perspiration in the area.
Turbans There are several companies that bring out collections of scarves and turbans each season for those women who bet on the comfort and femininity of this accessory. There are winter and summer.
When the fall is partial. Shampoos should be neutral, pH 5.5. The best ranges are the organic ones, which are always more delicate with the scalp and hair.
Dispense with discoloration or irritating dyes. Choose natural dyes, which are much more suitable for sensitive skin.
Avoid excessive heat from the dryer. It can cause excess dryness on your scalp and hair. And forget about the iron at least for a season. Look for hair salons that use natural treatments to restore hydration to your skin and hair.

The magic of good makeup

Using the right makeup products and applying a few tricks can minimize the changes that the face experiences, such as lack of luminosity or hydration. The best thing is to opt for ranges of hypoallergenic, repairing and paraben-free products, indicated for sensitive skin.

Recover luminosity. Oxygenating cosmetics (enriched with oxygen) help, which clarify and revitalize the skin, and even hide dark circles. Afterwards, tinted creams (BB or CC cream) can be applied to avoid the dull tone, and illuminator on the forehead, chin, lateral furrows of the nose and the upper part of the eyebrows.
Enhance the look. No need for heavy makeup. It is enough to outline the eye in brown tone. It can be done with gel eyeliner or with brown shadow, applying it with a fine brush for greater precision. The eyes acquire more expressiveness in a natural way.
Soften the lips. These tend to dry out, so it is best to choose moisturizing lipsticks and avoid long-lasting ones, which leave them matte. A very good idea is to always carry a lip balm in your bag.

Addresses of interest:

Backstage BCN hairdressing and beauty salon

AMYCO Association Against Breast Cancer

Solidarity Areola

Spanish Association Against Cancer

Cancer Prevention and Information Molins