Help! My local radiation skin care options all contain parabens!

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eb1968
eb1968 Member Posts: 11
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I just started radiation today (after chemo and surgery). New to this board. Hoping for help. 

My treatment center only has Radiagel and Jean's Cream. I'm trying to avoid parabens (duh!). Any suggestions?

I went on Amazon and ordered Miaderm. Searching the boards it seems that aloe and/or calendula are good. And emu oil?

Thanks!!!

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  • tisthyme
    tisthyme Member Posts: 49
    edited August 2012

    I used unrefined, organic coconut oil and vitamin E and I healed up very nicely.  I like to use things with 1 ingredient.  Good luck to you! 

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  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited August 2012

    I finished radiation about six weeks ago. Immediately following rads before I got dressed, I slathered on Aloe vera gel (the non-alcohlic one) over the radiated parts, and again a few hours later. Before bed and in the morning after my shower I put on Lubriderm Intense Dry Skin Repair. That's all I used. Towards the end my skin became a little red and itchy in one spot on my chest, for which I used an over-the-counter hydrocortizone cream 2X daily as suggested by my rad onc. My skin never broke down, and I had only a little peeling on my side under the arm. My skin is back to normal, and is just slightly darker than the rest. I'm still using that Lubriderm - it works for all other dry areas too, even my feet. Best wishes!

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  • SuperFoob
    SuperFoob Member Posts: 505
    edited August 2012

    My RO recommended, and all I used, were:

    99% Aloe Vera Jelly or 100% (if you can find it) . I think I used "Fruit of the Valley" or something close to that name.
    Calendula Cream (not gel or lotion). The cream has more Calendula in it than the gel or lotion. Brand name: Bioron (or, like before, something close to that).

    I purchased both items at Whole Foods.

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  • Belinda977
    Belinda977 Member Posts: 381
    edited August 2012

    I am using 100% Aloe and Miaderm.  Hydrocortisone for the itching.

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  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited August 2012

    I was told to use Glaxol Base. It worked well. But I don't recall if it had parabens. Hopefully not.

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  • cmbear
    cmbear Member Posts: 1,086
    edited August 2012

    I kinda overdosed on the lubing--used Miaderm, Calendula, Aquafor and coconut oil. Whole Foods has great selection in chemical free lotions. Also used their store brand fragrance free body soap, very mild and gentle.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited August 2012

    eb, as well as the suggestions you've received here, the main Breastcancer.org site has practical advice in the Skin Care Tips article of the Radiation Therapy section. There are some good ideas there to help you before, during and after your rads treatments.

    • The Mods

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  • eb1968
    eb1968 Member Posts: 11
    edited August 2012

    Thanks so much for the replies!

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  • toomuch
    toomuch Member Posts: 901
    edited August 2012

    I had great luck using only Boiron Calendula Cream twice a day. You can google it and purchase it online.

    I hope that your skin holds up throughout radiation! 

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  • sweetbean
    sweetbean Member Posts: 1,931
    edited August 2012

    Emu oil.  It was a godsend.  I bought it at emuoil4u.com, I think.  

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  • eb1968
    eb1968 Member Posts: 11
    edited August 2012

    My RO said I couldn't use any oil, so I'm using aloe vera 3x day. 

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  • Outfield
    Outfield Member Posts: 1,109
    edited August 2012

    Bought two small aloe plants, cut pieces of them (alternating) and it worked well.  The straight stuff goes a surprisingly long way - you don't need a big chunk of the plant to squeeze out enough to cover the whole area.

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  • sherry67
    sherry67 Member Posts: 556
    edited August 2012

    I used pure aloe after tx and acquphor at night ..worked very good

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  • eb1968
    eb1968 Member Posts: 11
    edited October 2012

    Quick update...today was my last rad! I used mostly the Lily of the Desert Aloe and sometimes used Calendula cream. Had one small burn at the collarbone and that's it. Yay! Great to be done. Also I had manual lymphatic massage by a Vodder LMT. 

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