What do/did you use to help your skin during rads?

Hi Kim,

I used Biafine, which was a script from my MD. I do see methyl and propylparaben in the last of the ingrediant list.  I also used skintegrity Hydrogel when I had more redness/pain.  My skin did very well...and I am very fairskinned with freckles. 

best wishes,

traci

My rad. oncol. suggested the following:  aloe vera, 97 or 98% pure (Jason's is one name brand) or aloe vera goo right from the plant, put on every night, followed by something to help seal the moisture in my skin, like Aquaphor or shea butter.  I had to make sure it was gently all washed off the next morning so there wouldn't be any on the skin when I went in for rads.  I had pinkness/redness but no pain, blistering, peeling.  What works for one doesn't always work for another and I always feel more comfortable when my doc. approves but the regimen she gave me is fairly common.

Like you, I try to avoid all parabens, along with a list of other ingredients.  I think you'd be really safe going with the aloe vera plant.  You can cut off pieces and keep them in the fridge so they're nice and cooling if your skin starts to heat up.

I turned pink fairly quickly but as I said, discoloration was my only real skin problem.

Good luck!

I'm doing the mammasite radiation, so my radiologist doesn't think I'll have much trouble, but because I have major skin problens I must use sterodial cream on daily which I can't use now he gave me something called Miaderm. I was told to rub it on the area 3 times a day. I guess it's just for radiation skin problems. Day 2 so will se how it goes, but so far no exema which is what I fight daily.

Karen

They sold me a jar of something called "Sween Cream".  It is full of vitamins, oils and has none of the bad products I know to avoid.  It was the best cream and I only had to use very little!  After 35 Rad treatments and a booster, my skin showed NO signs of radiation.  Even to this day, my new Onc marvels at how great my skin looks and can't believe I got through all the rads without "any" signs left on my skin.  It came in a 3 oz. jar and all I had to use was one third of it.  I still have it for "memory" sake but since it has no expiration date on it, I am concerned about using it for anything else.  I think the trick is to use the cream (whatever your Radiologist recommends) immedidately after the treatments and do it exactly as they tell you.  I am a tickler for following rules and directions especially when I am paying a professional to tell me what to do. 

My rads onc had me use strong green tea in a misting bottle 2-3 times per day, plus prescription triamcinolone cream.  Once I started to "pink up,"  she added in something called "Miracle Cream II", which she still has me using as a massage cream.

 I understand the green tea helps prevent skin toxicity.  In any case, I never got darker than a light pink.

I followed the lead of many on the boards and used emu oil right after rads 11:30 AM, in the afternoon before dinner, after showers, and before bed. Nothing before treatments.  Six treatments (one regular and 5 boosts) to go and am pink with a tan line on my side. 

Before I made my decision, I read the suggestions here, lots of ingredients in bottles/jars, and considered the list of three I got at the hospital.  I eliminated anything with any type of alcohol (e.g., cetyl and stearyl) to avoid the drying effect.  In my experience, petrolatum products are drying too. (They don't absorb into skin.)   I wanted nothing I'm allergic to so that eliminated products with lanolin and, to be on the safe side, fragrances.  Decided on the emu oil and it's been great for me.  My hands and forearms, where I rub the excess, look smoother and feel softer.  I've started using it as a night cream....Omega 3, 6, and 9.  How can I go wrong?

Used aloe when I felt hot or itchy.  Put it on over the emu after treatments, too.  Just felt good.

For bras, I bought two 2 packs of larger than I need fruit of the loom, hook and eye in the front, 100% cotton bras.  Wear one pretty much all the time, in bed too.  Noticed early on that my nipple didn't feel good exposed and would be easily irritated if it chafed on clothes or sheets.  The bra has kept things very comfortable

In retrospect, it probably would have been a good idea to try different products over the interim between the surgery and radiation.

Radiation is a burn--so lots of water and good nutrition.

Good luck!   And God bless us all.

Aloe gel worked well for me too. I used it 3-4times a day. On my friend's suggestion i also started to used myevolife products for my skin, nail and oral reactions due to chemo treatment. These products are miraculous. My skin were dry, patchy and itchy before i started using evoskin cream and evoskin cleanser. It took less than 3weeks for my skin to get back to normal. You must check its website www.myevolife.com for more details.I hope this of of help to you or anyone reading this post with similar issue. 

I am fortunate not to be working at the moment (in between jobs no kids).  I found that going topless in the house is very comfortable.  My shirts seem itchy - even in places that aren't treated.  I take my shirt off and nothing itches.  I don't know if that helps my breast not turn red, but so far so good.  I have very fair skin and I had my 14th treatment today.  Of course, you never know, I could wake up tomorrow and be red.

I used calendula gel, not very religiously, and had no problems. The only area that got red/dark was the boost at the end. And then it faded.  It has been 9 months and now you can't see anything at all from it.

My rad onc felt it didnt' matter what you used - that it didn't change the outcome, and was for comfort only. I don't know if that is true or not.  But I liked the calendula gel.

Good luck!

Hi Houndmommy.

All I can say is DO NOT put Retin-A (aka tretinoin) on the radiation site!! I developed a bad skin break-out on my chest and stomach after my bmx (w/ immediate TE's) that began to get worse after radiation started.  My plastic surgeon (who had to surgically replace one of my TEs partway through radiation because it was leaking) prescribed me some antibiotics and Tretinoin cream for the affected area.  I didn't recognize that this was (brand name) Retin-A and used it. Of course, combined with radiation, that was a very bad choice.  I actually came on here tonight because I am now desperate for skin help.  (My radiologist said they may have to stop if my skin gets worse).

 I'm about 1/2 way through my 33 treatments (28+5 boosters).

Below is what my radiologist advised (It's not improving, I don't know if it's preventing it from getting worse, but it definitely makes it feel better):

Drink 2 liters of water a day. NO aloe vera (my skin is too sensitive). Do not apply anything within 4 hours pre-treatment (immediately after is ok and recommended). Put Calendula lotion (not oil) on the site first (my pharmacist ordered me some wholesale - otherwise it's spendy).  Then apply a generous amount of Aquaphor (a Eucerin product).  This is what my doctor instructed so this is all I have been doing.

(However, I thought I remembered my grandmother using banana peels on burns - so I just tried that...I'm typing away with banana peels stuck all over my chest...I don't think it's helping.)

What I don't like about the Aquaphor is that it doesn't absorb well or wash off easily. It's very much petroleum based. I really love the calendula lotion.

I am curious to try the emu oil and "Mixin's" calendula and plantain teas.

Also, "Jteach" mentioned Alra. I have the Alra non-metallic deodorant and I love it!! It's an excellent product (the only 'natural' deodorant that actually works for me) and I'd love to get ahold of anything else they sell for the skin but I can't find it anywhere other than online.

Can't wait for this to be over!