COMMON CANCER TREATMENTS & SIDE EFFECTS

Remember, always consult your medical team and review any information provided by specialists about looking after your skin before using new products.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can cause patches of red, sore or peeling skin (particularly on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet), and you might find your skin is more sensitive to the sun. It can also cause sore cuticles which can lead them to be quite red.
Top tip: Avoid facial soap, body soap and overly fragrant body wash that can imbalance your skin and cause your skin to dry out. Replace them with shower oils or emollient washes that will nourish your skin. Also try not to have your shower on too high a temperature as this can dry out your skin. Keep your showers shorter and avoid having long, hot baths. This will prevent your skin from drying out and make sure your treated areas don’t become irritated.
Shop products that can help with some of the visible side effects of cancer treatment here.
- Airbrush Away Colour Balancing Primer 30mlCurrent price: £13.56. Recommended Retail Price: £16.95. Save £3.39 .£13.56£16.95Save £3.39
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy can cause dry, peeling and itchy skin. Your skin may also look darker or red, and the skin around the area being treated may look swollen.
Shop products that can help with some of the visible side effects of cancer treatment here.
Surgery
No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy can cause dry skin, rashes and spots.
Shop products that can help with some of the visible side effects of cancer treatment here.
Changes To Nails
Chemotherapy can cause sore cuticles.
Changes To Lashes
If you don’t want to use false lashes every time, here is a step-by-step guide to help you mimic the appearance of eyelashes and eyebrows:
• Smudge a dark eyeshadow or soft leaded pencil along the upper lash line to define your eyes. Alternatively, you could use a liquid liner to line the upper lash line. You can make the outer half slightly thicker to lift and elongate your eye. Add a wing for a touch of glamour
• For lower lashes, use a liquid liner. Take the applicator and wipe the excess off on the rim of the bottle. Now use the applicator to lightly draw lash-like strokes along the lower lash line
• Use eyeshadow applied with a hard, angled brush to soften the lash-like strokes, giving natural definition to the lash line and creating a more natural appearance
• If you have some remaining eyelashes that you want to accentuate, use a mascara with a small brush to catch every lash, such as No7’s Extreme Length Mascara
No7 & Macmillan's top tips for choosing your skin care products
It’s important that you consider which products are best for you. Make sure to try new things one at a time so you know if you have any reaction you can easily tell which products may be causing it. If you start using a new product and find that it makes any side effects worse, stop using it and consult your medical team.













