Regaining skin color and glow back

Polyana

I was just wondering those who lose the glow and freshness of thier skin color and their skin color turns dark or grey, how can they return it..

Or there is no hope of getting your original skin color and glow back after chemo...

Every day, I just see this pale skin color as if I put mud on my face, with shades of grey or black spots..what do I do to get me color back

Blessings2011

Polyana - please understand that I didn't have chemo, so I can't speak to that.

But I wanted to share with you something I experienced last spring when I entered a weight-loss program at Kaiser. It was Optifast, where the only food I ate for four months was basically a liquid diet. I'd always wanted to try an elimination diet - just to see if I was gluten sensitive - but it was too much work.

Then I went on the diet. In addition to removing all food except for the Optifast products (which contained all the nutrients necessary for healthy, and was VERY closely medically-supervised), we had to drink at least a gallon of water a day to flush out the toxins that built up on this Very Low Calorie Diet.

Finally, we had to exercise. Most of us hadn't exercised for years due to various medical issues. But we were all assigned pedometers, and told to walk whenever we could.

I started out by hanging on to DH's arm and limping down to the mailbox and back. Then I made it to the end of our block, then around the block, and finally I was power-walking for an hour.

I also rode my adult trike, and did 90 minutes of water aerobics at the heated therapy pool at our local rehab hospital.

Throughout it all, I had to meet weekly with the nurse, and monthly with the doctor. 

Early on, the nurse started complimenting me on my SKIN! She said that once you eliminate some of the foods you might be sensitive to, and start getting plenty of hydration, the actual composition of the skin starts to change.

Then, she said, the fact that you are finally exercising, and getting the blood moving will increase the blood flow to the smallest capillaries in the face, and will give it that healthy glow.

Like I said, I couldn't begin to tell you anything about skin care after chemo. But I did want to mention some things that worked for me, and may possibly work for you as well. Just be sure to check with your doctor about healthy diet, sufficient hydration, and moderate exercise.

Mooolly

I have the same situation, unfortunately my face is darker than befor chemotherapy.

Moderators

Mooolly, hyperpigmentation is not uncommon. Have you met with a dermatologist to gather suggestions? Blessings2011, great advice for all - moderate exercise and a well-balanced diet! Thank you for sharing! Here are some more general things to consider about your skin, post treatment: Skin and nail care

Thinking of you!

ruthbru

Yes, you can get your glow back after chemo. It will take time, so first go to a good makeup artist and get some lessons on how to use makeup to your best advantage so that you can look good while you recover. Check out if the American Cancer Society has a 'Look Good, Feel Better' program in your area. They give tips (and free high quality makeup) specifically for people who are going through, or have gone through, chemo. Also go shopping and buy some tops that either compliment your skin (or if you think you look awful, are colorful/patterned enough that people's eyes are drawn to your clothes, not your face).

As far as things to help you get your color back; use high quality moisturizers on your skin, wear sunscreen when you are outside etc. Exercise is the best thing to recover the glow; it gets your blood moving, heart pumping, helps get your body get back on the track to 'normal', including your color back. As Blessings pointed out, hydration and good nutrition are important for the skin (and overall health).