Cancer treatment can cause a variety of changes in the skin including dryness, dehydration, redness, rashes and chemo-induced acne. In addition, some women may experience early menopause due to chemotherapy, surgery or other medical treatments, leading to thinning of the skin and loss of elasticity. Sun damage and hyperpigmentation (brown spots) may also appear during or after treatment.

Proper skin care from the start of treatment can help prevent or lessen some of these changes. Geralyn O’Brien stresses the advantages of monthly facials during treatment. Some of the benefits include increased circulation, improvement of dry and dehydrated skin, calm and sooth red, irritated skin. Gentle exfoliation with products suitable to the cancer patient can be included to remove dead skin cells and stimulate cell renewal, bringing a healthy glow to dull skin…