Best oil to protect skin during rads?

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Drea
Drea Member Posts: 25
edited April 2018 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi everyone,

This is my first post in the Radiation forum -- I'm still a chemo girl.  I'll be having my last of 4 cycles of TC on 10/28 (YAY!) and starting 5 wks of whole breast rads + 1 wk of boost on 11/12.  I had my mapping/setup appt today so it's very much on my mind -- I'm so freaking excited to move on to radiation and then be DONE with active treatment! 

Anyway, my rad onc is a minimalist as far as skin protection goes.  She recommends pure aloe (either gel, or straight from the plant -- I've got a plant in my living room, so all set there) and/or calendula gel if you wish, but her big thing is a simple oil.  The sheet she gave me suggests jojoba, sweet almond, or olive, but she also mentioned apricot kernel, or "whatever" I prefer.

I'm probably going to skip the olive oil -- I like to cook with olive oil, but I don't really want to smell like it, you know?  So since I'm going to have to buy something, I'm trying to pick the "best" one, but of course there's no data comparing jojoba oil to avocado oil or whatever. So I'm coming to the experts!

Did anybody use plain old oils during rads?  What kind?  Did it seem to work? 

Thanks so much!

Drea

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Comments

  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited October 2008

    I never used oils, I used aquaphor, which is great but goopy.  I loved the aloe vera and applied that several times a day.  I also used ALRA, a special cream (aloe based) that I got at Dana Farber.  I think that if you just keep moisturizing several times a day, you can stay on top of things.  Good luck.

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  • DianaT
    DianaT Member Posts: 532
    edited October 2008

    I used pure organic almond oil.  The PS said that my skin looks fantastic for having as much radiation as I did. 

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  • Katiejane
    Katiejane Member Posts: 789
    edited October 2008

      Drea,  When I first started rads, I used aloe vera gel and aquaphor cream.  The aloe was great but once my skin began to break down I couldn't stand to use the aquaphor because it was so heavy and sticky/gooey. It kept the area too moist and would cause the top layer (or 2) of skin to come right off leaving raw areas.  I found a product, Pure Emu Oil that worked wonders!!!  It penetrates 3 cell layers deep which promotes healing.  My Rad Onc, Surgeon, and Oncologist are really impressed with the way I have healed and the lack of scarring. I still use it on my bilat. mastectomy scars and the skin that had broken down with Rads. that is now healed with no scars.  Everyone seems to have their favorites and I did try several different products.  Good luck in your search.

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  • Drea
    Drea Member Posts: 25
    edited October 2008

    Thanks, everyone -- I appreciate your advice!

    I rummaged thru my bathroom and discovered unfinished bottles of apricot kernel oil, and sweet almond oil with vitamin E.  There's not much left of either, but enough to get me started.  I think I'll start with those and see how I like them, then if not in love with either, I'll buy some other sort. 

    Best,

    Drea

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  • Skye64
    Skye64 Member Posts: 109
    edited October 2008

    For me worked the emu-oil too. From the aquaphor cream my skin got red...

    And I used some hydrocortison creme 1 %.

    Good luck for your treatment

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  • lisettemac
    lisettemac Member Posts: 213
    edited October 2008

    My radiation onc handed out the calendula lotion (not oil).  It worked okay I guess.  I had some separation, but not terrible.  I just didn't like the smell of it.

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  • Nyr4evr
    Nyr4evr Member Posts: 37
    edited April 2018

    I used utterly smooth twice a day and aquiphor at night 28 rads and now will start 8 boost, Doc now put me on silver sulfadiazine cream to help the redness and possibly skin breakdown. Very red. Listen to your doc

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  • Gussy
    Gussy Member Posts: 115
    edited April 2018

    Has anyone heard of or used Egyptian Magic cream on radiated breast? I just heard about it and it's an all natural moisturizer that sounds good.

    Where do you get emu oil?

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  • S3K5
    S3K5 Member Posts: 606
    edited April 2018

    I was asked by the nurse to use lanolin cream and aquaphor immediately after radiation sessions. These helped me a lot.

    Talk to your doc first.

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