OT opinions needed on Skin care for chemo patients

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Cynbest
Cynbest Member Posts: 47
edited June 2014 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hi all,

 After going through BC in 2011 I developed a skin care line that is now donated to women going through treatment at Mt Sinai here in NYC. I am re-branding and starting a non profit and have an idea for a naming the line "chemo care". I did not have to have chemo, so I am not sure how this name will connect with women going through chemo. Would you be okay chemo care on the packaging or is that tmi ( is that the last word you want to see anywhere)? Any thoughts would be helpful. (and any name ideas!!)

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited April 2014

    What medical/scientific creditentials do you have?q

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  • Cynbest
    Cynbest Member Posts: 47
    edited April 2014

    none, I am a skin care formulator. We have been vetted by Mt Sinai..All natural/organic ingredients with focus on helping the skin get through trauma. Working on branding..for 501C3

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  • Cynbest
    Cynbest Member Posts: 47
    edited April 2014

    Need to know how women would feel having the name "chemo" on their product or if they prefer something else like "skin in treatment" or treament safe etc...

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  • Oncearunneralwaysarunner
    Oncearunneralwaysarunner Member Posts: 252
    edited April 2014

    speaking for myself only, the one last thing I would have wanted during active treatment is everyday use products that remind me that I'm in treatment. Based on that I'm not a fan of the proposed Chemo Care name. I do believe it is important to state and advertise that it is safe to use during treatment but the name itself should not reflect treatment itself. By giving it a more neutral, non chemo or treatment related name, you may also get more customers who are going to keep buying the product after their treatment and allows you to expand your market base. I'm going with the assumption that your products can also benefit people who are not undergoing chemo.

    Sorry I don't have any names to offer, I don't know enough about your products to provide valuable input.

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  • Cynbest
    Cynbest Member Posts: 47
    edited April 2014

    Thanks Once a runner! That was my gut feeling. I do have the line for non treatment. (violets are blue is the name so the "chemo" will be violets are blue's...."name of product"). I will have a "safe for treatment" sticker, but I need to differentiate the 2 lines..anyone have a great name idea, let me know!! :)

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited April 2014

    What is a 'skin care formulator'?  What education?  What have you based anything on?  What tests have been conducted?  Potential allergic reactions?  Contra indications/reactions with meds/drugs/etc?  Is it pure/sterile when packaged?  How long is it safe to use once opened?  How to store (need refrigeration)?  Safe on 'open' sores?  So many issues that can effect anyone potentially - especially for those with compromised immume systems.

    Your Profile does not include radiation as having been part of your TX.   

    What do you mean by "vetted"?  I know what it means in the livestock world but not in human world..  Where could I (or anyone) find information from 'Mt. Sinai' stating your 'product' is recommended/approved by them?   What is the curent name/site for it?

    Yes - I am a skeptic - I've seen too many 'Snake Oil' sellers over the years.  I do hope that my skeptism is unfounded BUT - this is, after all, the internet and anyone can post/claim anything.  

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  • Cynbest
    Cynbest Member Posts: 47
    edited April 2014

    Kicks,

    I understand your concern. The reason I didn't post anything about the name of my product line is because I don't want women thinking I am trying to advertise. I am really only asking for opinions on a product name. I Have a very successful skin care line, sold on line and at Eco/Green Festivals. I work with a bio chemist, toxicologist, cancer researcher  and herb gardener and all products have been fully tested.  We only use organic/100% organic ingredients and only plant based preservatives. (we have to use a preservative due to the women's compromised immune systems). They are all eco-certified. All products are made in small batches and tested for sustainability. Being vetted means, the ingredients were all run through the medical team to make sure there will be no reactions/allergies etc. We do not use synthetic scents, only a small amount of lavender essential oil, if anything. Our products were also run through the legal dept as well. I am not "endorsed" by Mount Sinai, but My company has been donating skin care packages for the last 8mos to women on their first day of chemotherapy. We will continue to do so for many years to come. It has been a huge success. This is the reason for my question, I want to get rid of the "chemo care" name on the products and I was concerned it was not something women would want to see. I was not trying to sell anything, just get advice from women who are going through chemo to know what they would want to see on a package. If you are interested in my line you can pm me, however I do not want to put that info here, so there are no misunderstandings regarding my purpose for asking the question. Totally appreciate your wariness! I have met a lot of snake oil people as well.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited April 2014

    Cynbest - Thank you for your informative reply!  My 'skeptism' was apparently very unfounded but I do not regret questioning.  I do appreciate the info you have given for all here to see.  

    I'm not good at coming up with even decent names for anything so no help there.  Don't really like 'chemo care' though.

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  • flannelette
    flannelette Member Posts: 984
    edited April 2014

    It seems to me that we need to find out if there is something about this line that is particularly helpful or supportive for women going through chemo. If the line has been formulated especially for them, they would likely want to know that. But are you intending to sell the line at eco fairs etc? In that case somehow you have to let your potential customers know that these are beneficial in some way during chemo. if you just want to keep giving these to chemo patients as a sort of treat (and presumably because there are no nasties ingredients cancer patients generally want to stay away from - especially scents, which can be so nauseous- then the name should imply something uplifting and caring - I can understand why you've thought of chemo care - it's to the point.
    and if that had been given to me on my first chemo I don't think I would have minded the name for a second - I would have thought oh - a safe skin care product that's a gift - yea! how about Chem Caress? something that implies chemo and something that brings comfort  is safe. if you choose this I'd like samples please! LOL

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  • Cynbest
    Cynbest Member Posts: 47
    edited April 2014

    Thanks Flannelette! (great name btw). This is extremely helpful. Yes I am planning on selling the packages as well as donating. Thinking of using the name "BeLoved" because it can be interpreted so many ways, all of which are good. I will then have a sticker on it saying "treatment safe". These products were all designed with the chemo patient in mind. Focusing on all the issues women have when being treated. Extra dry skin, lip issues, nail issues etc.. Working on shipping to Canada and once I do, you will be the first to get samples!! :)

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  • flannelette
    flannelette Member Posts: 984
    edited April 2014

    oh goodie! you can ship to me in the US as i live right on the border! LOL . BeLoved is great - because that is a mindset for patients undergoing chemo - you want to shower your body with love & kindness, not anger, rage, blame, guilt.  a "treatment safe" sticker's a great idea too. I've always wanted to create my own skin products since I was a kid mixing up talcum powder  water in the bathroom sink. Your business sounds creative, challenging and fun - best of luck with it.

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  • CarpeVinum
    CarpeVinum Member Posts: 116
    edited April 2014

    I love the sound of your products because I am a chemo patient and because I try to stay away from products with too many ingredients. I also have a daughter who is allergic to all artificial fragrances and preservatives so your stuff may be just what we need. Keep us posted!

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  • Danishgirl66
    Danishgirl66 Member Posts: 163
    edited April 2014

    Cynbest,  I really like the name BeLoved.  Do you have a product for rads as well?  I didn't have too much trouble, but I know some people who did.  What about men?  Do you have a kit for men?  What a great idea to have a welcoming kit for SE's.  I need to talk to my onco group about that.

    I love your nonprofit idea.  Would it help support getting the kit to other hospitals?

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  • Cynbest
    Cynbest Member Posts: 47
    edited April 2014

    Hi Ladies,

     My next product is a deodorant (it's been a yr 1/2 in the making!) and THEN the rads lotion. So excited to get working on that. My goal is to bring the packages to more hospitals which is why I'm starting the non profit.I want women to be given something beautiful, healthful, un medicinal (if that is a word) and most importantly something that is not pink, or reminds them they are sick. I want to let them know these products will help them get through the next awful chunk of their healing. "healing" being the operative word. Men's line will be down the road!

    CarpeVinum, We only use essential lavender oil, and a really small amount at that. Just enough to cover the scent of the base oils which can some times be a bit earthy. Lavender is also quite calming and an anti inflammatory. PM me if you are interested and I'll send you some samples! Flannelette, if you seriously have a US address I can ship to, you can get samples too!! :)

    Danishgirl6, I am also happy to send samples to your onc group..hoping to branch out in the next year for donations.

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  • 208sandy
    208sandy Member Posts: 2,610
    edited April 2014

    Nix on the name Chemo anything and btw there are studies showing the lavendar is "estrogenic" - I have major allergies and very fair skin and even "natural" scents raise welts on me, think you'll find that radiated and chemo's skin is VERY sensitive to any kind of scent - I am a little puzzled that this was given a green light by a major cancer centre.

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  • Cynbest
    Cynbest Member Posts: 47
    edited April 2014

    208 Sandy,

     The studies have actually proven that lavender is safe and NOT estrogenic.  You can find the full case studies in Robert Tissarand's book. He is the leading essential oil researcher and I have studied with him personally and consulted with him on this. He has a lot of experience working with BC. He has written a major book called essential oil safety. (http://roberttisserand.com/)> The testing on Lavender originally brought back false positives due to the leeching of the plastic they used to store it. (which is why I ONLY use glass bottles and Miron Violet glass for testing. Most of our products are unscented, however the lavender is in only when the base oils are too strong. We have not has a single complaint on the scent and in fact many of the chemo patients find it really soothing on their skin and nose! this is also an essential oil, not a synthetic and not a natural scent which is what most people have the issue with. I have radiated skin and it loves the products. This is part of the reason a major cancer has approved it. They are up on the research. Trust me, being a cancer patient myself, nothing is going on my skin that hasn't been tested, proven no estrogenic and also tested on many other women. (btw, tea tree oil is also safe.) 

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