Alexandra Vaughn, MD
Dermveda Content Team
Skin changes during radiation therapy are a common problem that cancer patients face. Each person’s skin response to radiation therapy is unique and depends on radiation dose, the area receiving radiation, and if there is concurrent chemotherapy treatment. Expected skin changes after a few weeks include skin redness or darkening, severe dryness and flakiness, and people may even experience blisters and rashes.[1] Here are some skin care and make-up suggestions to help provide comfort and relief during radiation therapy for cancer:
Skin cleansing removes make-up and dirt, but it also removes the oils which are naturally present on your skin. This can worsen dryness of damaged skin.[2]
Cancer treatment can impair the skin barrier function, resulting in very dry skin.[3] Moisturizers improve hydration. It's important to begin using a moisturizer when the treatment begins, even if you do not yet see any skin changes occurring with radiation.
It is very important to prevent sun exposure to areas being treated with radiation. Sun exposure can worsen the side effects of cancer therapy.[5,6] Apply a generous amount of broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to your skin every day.[7]
There has been controversy about whether women receiving breast cancer treatment should wear aluminum-containing deodorants due to concerns about skin toxicity.[8] However, two studies have evaluated this risk and both found that aluminum-containing deodorants did not increase radiation associated skin toxicity.[9,10]
Cancer treatment may make your skin more sensitive to makeup, due to disrupted functional of the skin barrier.[11]
If skin changes induced by radiation therapy are unmanageable, it is recommended that patients be referred for a consultation with a dermatologist.[12]
* This Website is for general skin beauty, wellness, and health information only. This Website is not to be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of any health condition or problem. The information provided on this Website should never be used to disregard, delay, or refuse treatment or advice from a physician or a qualified health provider.
See additional information.
1. Skin Care Guidelines for Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy. Accessed September 10, 2017.
2. Thune P. The effects of detergents on hydration and skin surface lipids. Clin Dermatol.1996;14(1):29-33; PMID: 8901396. Link to Research
3. Lacouture ME. Mechanisms of cutaneous toxicities to EGFR inhibitors. Nat Rev Cancer.2006;6(10):803-812; PMID: 16990857. Link to Research
4. Pommier P, Gomez F, Sunyach MP, et al. Phase III randomized trial of Calendula officinalis compared with trolamine for the prevention of acute dermatitis during irradiation for breast cancer. J Clin Oncol.2004;22(8):1447-1453; PMID: 15084618. Link to Research