LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER FOR MEN

Day-to-day tips to deal with cancer

The Look Good…Feel Better program is a community-based, free, national service. It teaches female/male & teen cancer patients beauty tips to look better and feel good about how they look during chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Chemotherapy and radiation can change your skin – make it dry, itchy, flaky or irritated. A few simple steps in the morning and at night can help you look healthier.

Even if you’ve washed with the same soap for years, now may be the time to switch to something formulated for sensitive skin. A water-based liquid face cleanser or gentle soap can help. Use warm (not hot) water to open pores and protect surface capillaries. Don’t rub with gusto or use a granular scrub before shaving: this can cause razor-burn. During treatment, when you are at risk of bleeding and infection, your doctor may suggest that you switch to an electric razor to prevent potential cuts. Warm skin first with water or hot towel and rinse afterward with cool water. Avoid alcohol, menthol or strong fragrance. If you feel you must use a manual razor (discuss with your doctor first): keep it sharp, always rinse after use, and shake off excess water without wiping. Soften hair follicles with shave gel, leaving it on your face for about one minute before the first stroke. To reduce stinging, let skin rest a bit from shaving before applying other products. To smooth and relieve dry, flaky skin, dampen a cotton ball with alcohol-free toner and gently swab over face. Next, apply a pea-size amount of light moisturizer on cheeks, forehead and chin – or just on dry patches – and rub in softly. If blemishes are an issue, avoid products with harsh disinfecting ingredients and consult your doctor instead. Sunscreen isn’t only for the sand and slopes, it’s for every day* – especially during chemotherapy, which can cause sun exposure-related skin reactions. Sunburns often occur on ears, lips, back of neck, and arms. A spray-on sunscreen makes it easier to reach a thinning hairline. Moisturizing sunscreens help out if skin is dry. Doctors warn against tanning during treatment, so if this look is important to you, ask your doctor if you can use a men’s self-tanning cream or bronzer instead. *Sunscreen use should be discussed with your doctor. Sunscreen and other products should not be used on radiation treatment areas. Be sure to consult with your doctor before using any new skin products during treatment. Using concealer to hide facial discolorations and dark circles under the eyes is a foreign concept to most men. But you’d be surprised how often it’s done. Hyperpigmentation (dark spots) and sallow skin, both of which can be side-effects of treatment, can be covered using a concealer or “tint”. Find a concealer that precisely matches your skin tone, dot on any dark spots, blot excess, and blend edges until hidden. Or pick up a moisturizer with a tint and smooth on just as you would any face lotion. It’s as simple as that. http://www.lookgoodfeelbetterformen.org/ If you or someone you may know is living with cancer please help spread the word about this free educational program. For more information visit http://www.lookgoodfeelbetterformen.org/

Advertisement