by Mary Pat Rush, Certified Breast Navigator at Chester County Hospital
While going through chemotherapy, radiation or surgery, you may experience some appearance-related side effects as a result. During this experience, the last thing you may feel like doing is putting on your makeup, but starting your day with a new beauty routine may be one of the best things you can do to feel good.
My husband used to tease me and say, "Are you finished putting on the war paint?" In a way, this is essentially what you are doing while battling cancer and striving to look and feel your best at the same time. If you think of it that way, it can be a great way to start your day – by taking care of you!
Here are some tips on taking care of your skin and applying makeup while going through treatment. For an in-depth tutorial and personalized attention, come join our Look Good…Feel Better event on November 16, 2017 at Chester County Hospital. Attendees receive professional advice on how to manage hair loss using wigs, scarves and hats, a 12-step skin care lesson, and a free make-up kit to take home with them.
Skin Care Tips:
- Like a painter, you want to start with a good canvas – your skin. Be sure to use good quality skin products. You may experience more dryness while going through treatment so spend some time finding products that help with hydration. Choose a moisturizer that contains an SPF of at least 15. Using an SPF is always important for skin health and especially while you are in treatment.
- A facial can also help improve your skin’s appearance. One of the services Chester County Hospital offers cancer patients are complimentary facials, which are performed at authorized cosmetic medical offices. If you are a patient at our hospital, I would highly recommend taking advantage of this service. Not only is it beneficial for your skin, it is a nice stress reliever as well.
Makeup Tips:
- Always wash your hands before applying cosmetics. Use disposable applicators such as cotton balls, sponges, sponge-tipped applicators for eye shadow and disposable mascara wipes to prevent bacteria from building up. Make sure to throw away any expired products and follow the manufacturer’s recommended use date. If you are trying new cosmetics, begin by testing them on your hands and wrist first rather than putting them directly on your face.
- You may find your skin tone changes during treatment. When applying makeup, it is best to start off with a concealer to hide any dark circles, blemishes or discoloration. Follow with a foundation that closely matches your normal skin tone and evens out your complexion. Applying a small amount of translucent powder will help set the foundation.
- Using blush can help create a natural glow. If you experience some puffiness, use a brown-toned powder. For thinning faces, use a light-colored concealer cream to enlarge the facial area.
- For eyebrows, whether you are filling in thinning brows or re-creating the entire brow, use short feathery strokes for a natural look. There are cream-based fillers as well as powder filler options which to choose.
- For eyes, use a shade that highlights your eye color the most and blend to soften the effect. Eyeliner can be used to re-create the look of full lashes along the lower and upper eyelids. Mascara should first be applied to the topside of the lashes, then to the underside.
- For lips, outline with a soft lip pencil that complements your favorite lipstick color. Fill in with a hydrating lipstick.
We hope that these tips will help you feel more confident and ready to start your day.