Chemo causing aging

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited April 2018

    I kept very hydrated through chemo and ever since. My face was a little saggy at the end of chemo, but my skin has bounced back pretty well. I figure that what I see at this point is menopausal skin tone.

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  • 7of9
    7of9 Member Posts: 833
    edited April 2018

    I didn't choose plastic surgery...it chose me! Or at least breast cancer and reconstruction chose me. So after a recurrence, rads and capsular contracture...I had a neck lift when I had my implant replaced. Worth it.

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  • KCMC
    KCMC Member Posts: 208
    edited April 2018

    It's funny but my skin never looked as good when I was going through chemo absolutely flawless and glowing. The aging started happening after chemo finished. I just invested in a Clairisonic Mia2, Vitamin C Serum, Retinol and peptides. The Cerave is wonderful, I actually mix it with my foundation. 7of9 I was thinking about a face lift may wait a year or two when I am finished my Herceptin and Perjeta and Stage 2 of DIEP.

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  • Dthayer
    Dthayer Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2018

    I would imagine your oncologist would never recommend doing derma rolling during chemo, as it creates microscopic pricks in the skin.

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  • NotBrokenJustBent
    NotBrokenJustBent Member Posts: 394
    edited July 2018

    KCMC, good or you! I too am considering a face lift. My rapid aging started after chemo and the decline was rapid and terrifying but it subsided though never improved. A Facelift would go far to bring me back to who/where I was pre BC but cost prohibited just now but something to look forward to. In the interim I am going to get a perm. I always had lovely thick wavy hair but that was lost in chemo and the blockers. A perm would help to give my thin straight hair some volume and body. These are the things that no one warns you about when discussing chemo options and perhaps small stuff in the whole scheme of things but sometimes it IS the small things in life that make it worth living.

    Best of luck in your battle with this horrific disease. Anything you can do to build your self esteem now and going forward is well worth. Go for it!

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited November 2018

    I'm bumping this up to whine about my skin. I had great skin during chemo but now that I'm 15 weeks PFC my face is suddenly looking old. I feel like I've lost all the collagen around my lips and under my eyes. Lines appearing where I had none before and the skin under my eyes is thin and fragile. Of all the things to kvetch about this is pretty minor but still...ugh.

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  • VL22
    VL22 Member Posts: 851
    edited November 2018

    moth - same here. My skin looked great during chemo. I have more fine lines, dry skin around my eyes and this one 1/2 inch crevice above my lip and to the side.

    I have never worn makeup aside from mascara and lip gloss and I’m not going to start - too confusing! So between that and my complete lack of hair styling skills ( was 100% a ponytail girl) I pretty much look a mess every day.

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  • DebAL
    DebAL Member Posts: 877
    edited November 2018

    hey moth, I'm sure I will sound like an infomercial but you asked LOL All through chemo I used cynthia baileys skin care. Ordered it online. I used the chemo care kit and ordered it twice. It seems to be sold out often but restocked quickly. I really really like the green tea antioxidant alot. You can read the overview of each product. In fact, i just got an order of it today. I use it at night ( love how my face feels in the morning) and a vitamin C serum during the day. I also get a dermaplane with glycolic by an esthetician about every 6 weeks. The changes I see are changes I probably would see with normal aging anyway. I dont see any changes that I can definitely attribute to chemo. I'm pretty low maintence..stay out of the malls, get nails done here and there and obviously cut back on my hair this year lol. So I do splurge a little in this area. It works for me and It just makes me feel good.

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited November 2018

    Deb, thx for the recommendation. I use Paula's Choice skincare but I haven't been rigorous about using the serums. I'll start again and also go back to the retinol and hopefully things will improve. I've bookmarked the recommendation for Cynhtia Bailey - was happy to see her prodcuts are cruelty free and vegan as that is all I use. They are a bit pricey O.o esp when I do the currency conversions and shipping to Canada !!!

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  • WC3
    WC3 Member Posts: 1,540
    edited November 2018

    moth:

    My oil glands shut down, my skin dried out, my pigmented hairs fell out while my grey ones stayed, and I am definately looking older.


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  • jo6359
    jo6359 Member Posts: 2,279
    edited December 2018

    moth- you always have good information about diet and nutrition. I'm with you about chemo and aging. During chemo my skin glowed. Probably from all the chemicals LOL Even though I feel fantastic sometimes I do a double-take when I see myself in the mirror. I use a lot of lotion but my skin looks dry definitely more pronounced wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. You helped me a great deal when I was having difficulty with eating during chemo. I know you're busy with your studies and I hope everything continues to go well for you.

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