How to Take Care of Your Skin During Breast Cancer Treatment

To help scars heal, keep the area hydrated with an ointment. “I’m a big fan of petroleum jelly,” she says. “It seems so simple, but it doesn’t have a lot of ingredients that can irritate the skin.” We recommend Vaseline 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly.

Additionally, Mother Nature will do a lot of the work to promote healing and scars will usually look lighter within a year’s time; however, sun exposure can delay this. “Anytime UV hits pigmented skin, the pigment will last longer, which will delay the fading of the color,” explains Dr. Kwong. So always protect your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen that is SPF 30 or above. A few of Allure’s favorites: La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios 60 Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen, Supergoop Glowscreen SPF 40, or Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defense SPF 30. The best option is the one you will use consistently.

If you are looking to accelerate healing, Biafine is a go-to for Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “It’s a prescription medication that expedites healing by 33 percent, and is best used during the acute phase of healing right after surgery,” Engelman says. Always consult your doctor beforehand. 

If You’re Going Through Chemotherapy…

Nausea is anticipated, but dry skin is just as common. “Chemotherapies tend to target cells that are replicating faster than they should be, like cancer cells,” says Dr. Kwong. “But skin cells regenerate rapidly too.” So it’s essential to maintain a healthy, hydrated skin barrier. 

“Dry skin can cause skin breakage, lead to infections, or itching that can contribute to the inability to rest — and rest is such an important part of healing,” advises Dr. Kwong.

Keep skin hydrated with creams, ointments, or oils, making sure to “stick to bland formulas and be mindful about fragrances because skin tends to be more sensitive.” Look for glycerin-rich formulas such as Aquaphor Healing Ointment and Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream. “Many women say, ‘I’ve never been allergic to this or my skin has never been like this before chemotherapy,’ but many of these issues arise after treatment,” says Dr. Lacouture.

Also: Timing is everything. “Immediately after any form of washing skin [whether it’s a shower or even cleaning your hands] restore the skin barrier with a moisturizer,” adds Dr. Kwong. One she suggests to patients: Vanicream Moisturizing Cream. And for areas prone to dryness, like the hands and feet, reach for formulas made with “urea or lactic acid to soften the dry skin,” advises Dr. Lacouture.

If You’re Undergoing Radiation…

“It’s almost like getting a sunburn, and oftentimes, patients will develop a red rash — sometimes it’s itchy, sometimes it has a burning feeling, and every once in a while it can blister,” explains Dr. Kwong.