Socio-aesthetics consists of using aesthetic treatments and cosmetic knowledge to best support people weakened by different treatments. “It is helping others to face a more or less long period of treatment, by giving them the keys to taking care of themselves. The person then feels like an actor in their care journey and thereby preserves their identity.”, explains Prescilia Wrobel.
Breast cancer: what is the impact of treatments on the skin?
Anemia, nausea, loss of appetite, extreme fatigue, digestive disorders, hair loss are among the side effects frequently reported by patients. But breast cancer treatments (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, etc.) also have an impact on the skin and nails, which they can weaken. “The tumor itself can also affect the skin by causing a lump or asymmetry, but also by causing the skin to shrink, for example at the areola.”, adds Prescilia Wrobel.
Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies and hormone therapy
“Drug treatments act on tumor cells which are rapidly renewed, the skin also regenerates regularly and quite quickly (28 days) so it is partly affected by these products.”, explains the socio-beautician. Side effects include: skin rashes (folliculitis, acneiform rash), significant hypersensitivity/reactivity, photosensitivity (hyper pigmentation spots, “sunburn”, etc.), hives, dryness. skin, alopecia (more or less significant because not all molecules are alopeciant), coloring and/or peeling of the nails (which can lead to loss.)
Surgery
Following surgery, the scar area will evolve from the day of the operation until 18 to 24 months postoperatively for complete healing.
Radiotherapy
The rays can cause a type of burn, called radiodermatitis. It appears 10 to 15 days after the start of the rays, and evolves for 10/20 days after the sessions stop. Radiotherapy can also cause alopecia in the irradiated area and hypersensitivity of the area to heat and sunlight.
Breast cancer: here’s how to take care of your skin (and yourself) every day
The socio-esthetician specifies that the side effects vary greatly from one patient to another, depending on the medication used and the dosage, but also on the individual sensitivity of each woman. “But we know that the implementation of certain practices can prevent their appearance: acupuncture, auriculotherapy, reflexologythe establishment of adapted care routines thanks to socio-aesthetics”, she adds.
For example, she recommends applying silicon-based varnish from announcement to 1 year post-chemotherapy. “The base provides silicon and the color, which must be opaque or with a UV filter, serves to protect against UV. The top coat is optional”, she explains. Another very important point of vigilance is sun protection. You must protect yourself from UV rays using an SPF 50/+ sunscreen product and cover as many areas as possible, whatever the season.
Finally, Prescilia Wrobel recommends adopting good daily habits and adapting a few beauty products. “Choose a suitable cleansing product (cleansing cream or oil from La Roche-Posay, Avène, Uriage, SVR, Bioderma, etc.). You must also integrate the notion of skin care from the moment of showering (be careful when drying: you dab yourself!). Among the other essentials: a cream that meets the skin’s needs (lack of water or oil, tendency to blush or flake, etc.) and thermal water spray, for its multitude of uses and benefits. virtues”, explains the specialist.
What skincare and beauty products should you avoid?
“When choosing products, we pay attention to essential oils (some are called ‘hormone like’ and therefore incompatible with treatment for hormone-dependent cancer) and synthetic perfumes which are allergenic. We also pay attention to the galenic form of the product depending on the needs, if the skin lacks oil we will apply a rich cream or a balm and not a cream gel”, explains Prescilia Wrobel. But it is very important to have the notion of pleasure in mind, because a pleasant product will always be more easily integrated into a skincare routine.
There are also brands specially dedicated to people suffering from cancer. Products that are often expensive, and therefore not accessible to all patients. “You can very well find suitable products that are cheaper, for example by enriching a cream with vegetable oil (wheat germ, oats, etc.) of your choice.”, explains the specialist.
Support from a socio-beautician: what are the treatments offered?
Prescilia Wrobel works mainly at the RoseUp House in Paris (place of reception and support for women affected by cancer from the moment they are diagnosed, during and after treatment), but also as an independent worker in different structures, notably in palliative care services. The treatments offered are varied. “The objective is to relieve patients, to support them. This can involve relaxation exercises, massages, facial treatments, foot beauty, a manicure, but also makeup advice to help women reclaim their image and rediscover their identity.”, explains the socio-beautician. The latter adds that in addition to individual meetings, she also runs group workshops on selected themes (relieving neuropathies through massage, how to use vegetable oils, etc.)
Thanks to Prescilia Wrobel, socio-esthetician.
Thanks to theRoseUp Association.