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Marjas02
Marjas02 Member Posts: 6
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi everybody,

I'm hoping someone can share some insight regarding radiation skin burks.  I'm african-american and as of last week my skin has taken a beaten.  It's extremely dark.  From the onset of radiation, which I started on Feb 15 and will finish March 31, I've used Utterly Smooth.  I've now been told to use Aquaphor and do saline soaks 3-4 times a day, and apply a hyrdocortisone cream. 

What I'd like to know is whether my skin will lighten?  I realize that it may never be the same shade as it was before but once radiation is done are there any chances of my skin lightening up?  

I realize this may seem vain but it concerns me.  I'm certainly grateful for the treatments but I'm a little down at the prospect of daily reminders of where I've been  because of this disease.

Thanks in advance,

Marjas 

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  • DC197
    DC197 Member Posts: 371
    edited March 2011

    Hi Marjas02,

    I am not AfricanAmerican, but I'll share my experience. I finished rads at the end of Feb. By the time I finished treatment, my skin ranged from pink in some areas to raw and red in others. Since finishing treatment, my skin "tanned", but my nipple area was quite dark, and I wondered if it would stay that way. Now that I'm 3 weeks past treatment, my normal skin color is returning.  Be patient, I think that in time you'll be back to your normal color.

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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited March 2011

    Hi Marjas,

    I have a fair complection & part of my treatment was aim at my skin.  I turned very red & burned serverly.  But my skin color has return closer to my original color.  I am still a little pinker in some areas.  So I would like your skin should lighten in time.  Hope this helps you. NJ

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  • Blossom45
    Blossom45 Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2011

    Hi Marjas,

    I am African American also with a medium brown complexion.  I am almost three weeks post rads.  Every day I woke up during rads my breast was a new color.  It turned red and itchy the first weeks, spotty the third, black the fourth and fifth.  By the time my boosts started, the skin began peeling and I could see healthy light brown skin.  When my boosts were completed my skin was back to normal except for the red square where I received the boosts.  I have used Jean's Cream a week before treatment, during and I still use it today. The skin is a little lighter than it used to be, but all in all it looks pretty darn gone good for 28 + 8 treatments.

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  • Elizabeth1959
    Elizabeth1959 Member Posts: 346
    edited March 2011

    mrsnjband

    I have 3 more scar boosts and my treatment will be over.  I also received treatment aimed at my skin.  Right now, it is very painful.  How long after treatment did it take for the pain to resolve and the skin heal?

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  • Blossom45
    Blossom45 Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2011

    Hi Elizabeth,

    It's been almost 3 weeks and I still have some pain, but it is bearable. After the second week it wasn't to bad.  But now it is itching again and I'm not sure if this is normal.  I also have some stinging under my arm. I'm guessing eventually this will all decrease.

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  • Elizabeth1959
    Elizabeth1959 Member Posts: 346
    edited March 2011

    Hi Blossom45

    Thank-you for the information.  That's encouraging.

    Elizabeth

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  • Vonda
    Vonda Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2011

    My skin is a little darker than it was before treatment, but it lightened alot over the course of 6 months following treatment.

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