Oncology Aesthetic's

What is Oncology Aesthetics?
Oncology aesthetic is simply skin care specific to cancer patients. An aesthetician trained in oncology skin care is a very specified profession. An oncology aesthetician is a professional skincare therapist who has had specific specialized training on the aspects of cancer treatments and the skin, how to care for the skin and provides a safe environment to relax with knowledgeable advice on skincare. Many times your aesthetician will be in contact with your medical providers so that there is a common thread of care during your treatments. As an oncology aesthetician/skincare professional I will help provide skin health and wellness through analyzing your skin, creating a restorative skincare plan custom for you, offer temporary protection from symptoms of cancer treatments such as dryness, dehydration, compromised skin barrier, and mild inflammation with safe and beneficial ingredients.

How can Oncology Aesthetics and Oncology Spa Treatments benefit me?
If you, a friend or family member are fighting cancer you want to see an Aesthetician / Skin care Professional who is familiar with your symptoms and how to treat your skin with the appropriate protocol and safe ingredients during and after cancer treatments. Cancer treatments can be damaging to the skin, leaving your skin more delicate than ever. Your skin needs very specific care in this phase of your life. Many common ingredients can be detrimental to your health right now and this can be a challenge if you go it alone but with the help of a qualified aesthetician that you can learn from you can become aware of products that are safe for you and not taxing on your immune system. Specific questions regarding your medications and medical treatments should be addressed before any spa services are received; this is important information because many products can react to medications you may be on. A special form will be sent to your doctor to request his/her signature, communication between aesthetician and Doctor are critical at this time and is required before my services can be received. My goal is to provide my clients at the bare minimum a safe experience that will leave you with a sense of well-being.

5 benefits spa services provide oncology clients:
Touch. Spa services can bring comfort, soothe, ease pain, lessen
anxiety, give hope, empower the healing process, and bring
caring to a client in a way no words can express.
Listen. It’s nice to be to be cared for especially when we give so
much of ourselves through work, home life and the everyday
stresses that bog us down. Being pampered and having
someone validate your existence is sometimes all that is
needed for a little extra encouragement to get through the days.
Treating skin issues. In many instances it is best to refer to your
Doctor but the benefit of having an aesthetician is priceless. An
aesthetician can help with some of the visual skin damage that
occurs during oncology treatments. In most instances we feel
better about ourselves when we look better. Spa services help
your state of mind which in turn will help psychologically, with
social stress’, depression, and fears of stigma because of the
physical outcomes of treatment.
Prevention. Seeing an aesthetician regularly and between visits
to your doctor can improve chances of detecting skin cancer
earlier while also receiving education on basic protection.
Skincare products. Product knowledge is crucial during this time. A
knowledgeable aesthetician is familiar with benefits of specific
ingredients and what to steer clear of. It is best to use products
that are nontoxic, nonirritating, and non-carcinogenic. As a
holistic aesthetician who is also trained in oncology you have the
best of both worlds at Spa Of The Earth.

When is it safe for me to have spa services?
During and up to one year of completing oncology medical treatments the only skin care treatments that can be performed are restorative. Corrective treatments must only be performed on clients who have been off oncology medical treatments for at least one year and only if the skin has recovered from the medical treatments. The day of or right after transfusion is not recommended to come in for a service because of weakness of body but it is up to you and your comfort level. If you have been sick within 24 hours prior to spa appointment it is best to reschedule, your immune system must not be compromised at any time.

Some common issues that can be addressed during treatment are as followed:
Skin is sallow, ashy, asphyxiated, grey cast.
Integrity of skin may need improvement with elasticity, premature
aging, dead cell build up, congested pores.
Temperature may be hot or cold.
Texture mat be rough, moist, tight, lines of dehydration.

Some skin conditions that cannot be addresses during oncology
medical treatments are as followed:
Presence of infection such as edema, or pus.
Pain and sensitive to touch.
Open wounds that are not healing, and susceptible to infection.
Rash (vesicle, inflammation, pruritus).
Moist desquamation (infection with peeling).
Chemo-induced acne (acne lesions produced by systemic
chemotherapy).
Hypersensitivity (extremely sensitive skin, contact dermatitis).


What spa services are safe for me during medical oncology treatments?
Specified Customary Holistic Non-invasive Oncology Skincare Services such as:
Facials
Scalp
Body Treatments
Hand and Feet Care (dependant on the severity of medical
oncology reactions)

*Disposable tools are to be used for your safety as well as others.

What spa services am I to avoid during my medical oncology treatments?
Microderabrasion
Electrical appliances (Galvanic, High-frequency)
Peels of any kind (Chemical, Enzyme, etc.)
Lightening agents
Dermal Planning
Extractions
Waxing
Electrolysis
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Detox
Scrubs (Any abrasives for face and body)
Detoxifying body wraps
Hot Stone Therapy
Dry and Moist Heat (facial steam, body steam, hot towels. Warm
towels are ok)
Laser Treatments
Hands and Feet Services (manicures, pedicures, scrubs, etc.)

Safe ingredients for Oncology clients:
All natural ingredients are best such as Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Calendula, Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Green Tea, Oatmeal, Emu Oil, Black Seed Oil, Grape seed Oil, Rose Hip Seed Oil, Vitamins A, C, and E, Green Clay, Kaolin Clay, Dead Sea Mud, and Lemon Essential Oil to name a few.
Other ingredients that are safe for oncology clients are Hyaluronic acid, Squalene, Humectants, Sodium PCA, Ceramides, Plant Based fatty Acid Oils, and Glycerin.

Oncology clients should avoid:
Alpha hydroxy acids, Beta hydroxy acids, Alcohol, Parabens,
Sulfates, Phytoestrogens,
Xenoestrogens, PABA, Hydroquinone, Vitamin A derivative, Synthetic
fragrances, Benzoyl peroxide.
Any type of stimulating ingredients, or heat producing.
No raw foods on skin. Dry ingredients are best at this time because
of open wounds on the skin.

*Specific to oncology clients fighting cancer of sex organs
Cancer that is located in the sex organs (breast, uterine, ovarian) is dependent on estrogen. If your cancer is located in these areas be especially careful of estrogen dependent products, avoid xenoestrogen and phytoestrogen ingredients. Xeno-estrogens are industrially made compounds that mimic natural estrogen in the body. These compounds can be found in skincare products. Examples of xenoestrogen ingredients are 4-methylbenzilidene camphor (can be found in sunscreens), butylated hydroxyanisole or BHA (food preservative), insecticides, nonylphenol and derivatives (surfectants, emulsifiers), parabens, and phenoxyethanol. Phyto-estrogens are natural estrogen that are from natural plant sources, and must also be avoided. Examples of phytoestrogen ingredients are coffee, fennel, cloves, goldenseal, licorice, thyme, pomegranate, queen anne lace or wild carrot, soy, turmeric, alfalfa, red clover tea, fenugreek, clover, canola oil, sunflower oil, flaxseed oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, all essential oils except citrus and mints. Sex organ cancer cells feed off of estrogen based food and other products ingredients. Stay away from estrogen based ingredients to prevent further growth of these cancer cell.
Having an oncology trained aesthetician can be so crucial at this point of your life because there is so much to be aware of. I strive to work hand in hand with my oncology client’s oncology medical Doctor’s plan for healing and use the safest ingredients for you.

Disclaimer: This information is not to take place of any information your physician or Doctors have provided you. I strongly suggest that you follow the guidelines of your medical advisers. This blog is merely informative and is in no way to take the place of your medical care.

Resources: Spa of the Earth, The Skincare Therapy Institute Corp_Oncology Skin Care and Training Certification Course, Associated Skin Care Professionals_Skin Deep Issue January/February 2012