• Gentle cleanser labelled for sensitive skin or for eczema
  
• Non-irritating and pH balanced or neutral

• Use lukewarm or cool water (hot water strips natural oils). Keep showers brief (less than 10 minutes) to minimize skin irritation 

A cream is likely best for you right now. The type of moisturizer you choose (called the “vehicle”) matters because your skin may be more sensitive and dry during treatment. 

Understanding moisturizer types: 

• Gels – Lightest, may not provide enough moisture during treatment

• Lotions – Light to medium, absorb quickly but need frequent reapplication

• Creams – Thicker and more moisturizing, ideal for treatment-sensitive skin

• Ointments – Heaviest and most protective, but can feel greasy 

Creams typically provide the right balance of moisture and protection for treatment-sensitive skin without being too heavy for daily facial use. Look for cream-based products that are: 

• Hypoallergenic

• Fragrance free

• pH balanced or neutral

• Avoid anything labelled “anti-ageing” 

Fragrance-free and scent-free are not the same. Scent-free products may still contain masking fragrances, which can be irritating. Look for ‘fragrance-free’ on the label whenever possible. 

Moisturize immediately after patting your skin dry from bathing to lock in moisture. If you don’t bathe daily, moisturizing on dry skin is still beneficial. 

It’s important to note that oils don’t add moisture – they lock in existing hydration.

For best results, apply oils to slightly damp skin or use them in combination with a moisturizer. The exception is scalp care when you have hair, where oils can be used alone since applying cream to the scalp isn’t practical.

If you want to use oils to lock in moisture, look for ones that are fragrance-free and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores). Gentle, non-comedogenic options include: 

• Rosehip seed oil

• Shea butter

• Squalene
  
• Argan oil

• Grapeseed oil (cosmetic grade)

• Castor oil

• Baby oil

• Petroleum Jelly

• Bio-oil 

Coconut oil can be absorbed through skin and may affect cholesterol levels in some cases. It may cause allergic reactions in those sensitive to cocamidopropyl betaine. It’s better to avoid using cooking oils on your skin and opt for products specifically designed for skincare.  

Always test on a patch test on a small skin area that isn’t your face first. 

Treat your skin as if you have eczema. Hyaluronic acid is suitable for sensitive skin, but put aside other acids until 6 months after treatment ends. That includes retinol any other active ingredients.  

Wait until treatment is complete, or ensure the practitioner is trained to work with cancer patients using extremely gentle, non-irritating products. 

Toners are OK if your skin tolerates them and they’re not too drying. With a neutral cleanser and moisturizer, you may not need toner. 

Vitamin C serums are generally safe during cancer treatment. Vitamin C is an antioxidant and unlikely to cause problems. However, avoid Vitamin C serums mixed with retinol, as retinol can be drying and harsh on sensitive skin during treatment. 

• Start slowly – use every other day to test tolerance

• Choose lower concentrations (10-15%) and stabilized forms for gentler application
  
• Stop if you experience stinging, redness, or irritation

• Always follow with moisturizer and sunscreen

It really depends. While many people associate hair loss primarily with scalp hair, other hair types, including eyelashes and eyebrows, can also be affected. Some people might experience thinning rather than complete loss of eyelashes and eyebrows, and others may not lose them at all. Your treatment team may have more information about your specific protocol and the side effects others have experienced. 

Deciding when to shave your head is a personal choice that varies by individual. Many people notice significant thinning or loss a few weeks into treatment, making that a good time to consider shaving if you’re uncomfortable with your hair’s appearance. 

Shaving can provide a sense of relief and control, especially if your scalp becomes sensitive due to chemotherapy. It also creates a smooth surface for wearing wigs or head coverings. 

If you’re unsure, discussing the decision with a trusted friend or healthcare provider can offer support. Ultimately, do what feels right for you. But be sure to use clippers with a #1 guard, leaving 1/8″ of stubble. 

Do what feels right to you but do not go shorter than 1/8″ as this could irritate the scalp. Many people find that cutting their hair shorter before treatment makes the hair loss process feel more manageable. Keeping short hair can also make regrowth look more even. 

It’s a personal choice. You may want to keep a short cut which can make thinning less noticeable. 

It could be irritation, inflammation of the hair follicles or ingrown hairs. Instead of using a razor, use clippers with #1 guard to remove hair to prevent bumps from appearing or reoccurring. 

You can use either shampoo or facial cleanser on your scalp. Either continue your facial cleanser upward to your scalp, use body wash if tolerated, or try moisturizing shampoo. Look for shampoos that are sulfate-free, gentle and moisturizing. Choose products that are gentle, hypoallergenic, and pH balanced or neutral. 

Yes! Gently massage your scalp with facial moisturizer to: 

• Increase comfort and circulation
• Reduce sensitivity and itchiness
• Make wigs, scarves, or hats more comfortable 

Jojoba oil is particularly good for scalp care as it’s known for its soothing properties and ability to lock in moisture. Other gentle, non-comedogenic options include: 

• Rosehip seed oil 
• Shea butter 
• Squalene 
• Argan oil 
• Grapeseed oil (cosmetic grade) 
• Castor oil 
• Baby oil 
• Petroleum Jelly 
• Bio-oil 

Exfoliating the scalp can be beneficial as it helps remove dead skin cells, excess oil, and product buildup. Use a gentle cleanser and a baby washcloth to remove dry skin, then follow up with a moisturizer. If you require further exfoliation, try a gentle exfoliating product for sensitive skin. 

If your scalp is sensitive, irritated, or doesn’t have visible flaking, avoid exfoliating entirely. When in doubt, stick to gentle cleansing and moisturizing only. 

• Blend until colour matches your natural scalp colour

• Use a disposable sponge for smoother blending

• Limit makeup on forehead to reduce stark transitions 

Yes. Foundation helps eyebrow pencil cling to skin. Apply foundation first, let dry, then draw in eyebrows.  

Yes. This creates a lighter, more hydrating base that’s comfortable on dry or sensitive skin. It may reduce coverage, so experiment to find your balance. 

Many prefer foundation first to create an even base, then concealer to spot-correct areas needing extra coverage. 

Apply concealer dots from inner to outer corner of eye with clean finger, applicator, or disposable sponge, then blend gently. 

• Purple: brightens dullness, evens yellow skin

•  Yellow: conceals dark purple or blue discolouration

• Green: hides red blemishes, blotchiness, sun spots

• Peach: cancels dark circles (light skin tones)

• Orange: cancels dark circles (darker skin tones) 

To prevent makeup from melting: 

• Press translucent powder with cotton round to absorb oils

• Blot oil before applying powder 
• Consider lightweight primer

• Ensure sunscreen and moisturiser are fully absorbed first 

Foundation provides the most coverage and is best for evening out skin tone and covering discolouration. 

BB creams (Beauty Balm) offer lighter coverage and often include moisturiser, sunscreen, and skin-caring ingredients. They’re ideal when you want a natural look with some coverage and added skin benefits. 

CC creams (Colour Correcting) focus on evening out skin tone and correcting discolouration with light to medium coverage. They’re useful when you want to address redness or uneven colour without heavy coverage. 

During treatment, BB and CC creams can be gentler options for your skin since they’re typically more hydrating and less heavy than traditional foundation. Choose products that are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and pH balanced, and use whichever feels most comfortable on your sensitive skin. 

No, it’s not a good idea. It’s better to use them separately to avoid diluting the sunscreen’s potency and losing protection. 

You likely won’t use enough foundation for adequate coverage, and areas like ears and neck would be missed. It’s best to use sunscreen, let it absorb in the skin and then apply foundation. You may also like a mineral sunscreen powder for re-application over makeup. 

It’s a personal preference. Use photos where you liked your eyebrows as a reference guide. 

Look for a universal taupe pencil – a slightly warm tone that’s not too grey or silvery. 

Rub the pencil on the back of your hand to warm and soften it. 

No, but be very gentle when removing makeup to protect delicate regrowth. 

No, procedures that create open wounds aren’t recommended during treatment. 

Its effectiveness isn’t scientifically proven. If you try it, do a patch test on skin first, avoiding eyes. Ask your healthcare team if unsure. 

Yes! Follow proper hygiene, don’t apply to waterline, and sharpen pencils between uses or spray isopropyl alcohol on the tip to disinfect it. 

Avoid eye makeup while eyes are watering. Focus on brows and blush for facial dimension. 

These aren’t recommended. Glue can irritate sensitive skin, and magnetic lashes may require excessive rubbing to remove. 

No, but be gentle removing it. To protect your lashes:

• Avoid waterproof formulas

• Use gentle remover (see eye makeup remover question below) 

Any gentle cleanser labelled for sensitive skin works. It should be non-irritating and non-oily. Use a cotton pad, hold on eyelid for a few seconds, then wipe downwards from inner to outer corner. 

During treatment, lipstick is OK for 3 months if applied with Q-tips or disposable applicators. 

Using Q-tips or disposable applicators to apply lipstick is the best way to keep your lipstick clean. If applying directly, spray with isopropyl alcohol after each use. 

Ask your pharmacist for products specifically formulated for severely dry skin/lips. 

Ask your medical team or pharmacist for mouth rinse recommendations – they often have samples. 

• Use pump dispensers when possible

• Use spatulas to remove products instead of fingers (and no double-dipping with spatulas)

• Close lids tightly after use

• Never blow on applicators

• Don’t share products

• Test new products on hands/wrists, not face

• Follow expiry dates 

Regular brushes and sponges hold bacteria. Use disposable applicators or clean fingers to apply makeup during treatment. You can find disposable applicators online, at dollar stores, or in the makeup sections of large retailers. 

• Mascara: 1 month once opened

• Most other products: 3 months with proper hygiene 

Sunscreen and hand sanitizer become less effective after expiry. Throw away makeup with separation or off-odours, even before the expiry date. 

Yes. Remove with oily, acetone-free remover. Use petroleum jelly instead of cutting cuticles. Avoid acrylics (bacteria risk) and wear rubber gloves for chores.

Ask if professionals are trained for cancer patients. Avoid anything causing breaks or bleeding. Skip acrylics due to infection risk. Do not push back, cut, or push down cuticles. Only basic nail polish application is recommended—avoid other specialty services.

Petroleum jelly can be applied to nails to moisturize and act as a barrier cream, helping protect them from everyday damage. You can also consider using a hydro-soluble nail strengthener. Ask your healthcare team or pharmacist for recommendations on products specifically designed to strengthen brittle nails during treatment.

Yes, as long as skin isn’t scratched or broken and you tolerate it.

Recovery timelines:

Fingernails: Nails grow one millimetre per month, so full recovery takes six to twelve months. Bumpy ridges are from treatment interrupting nail growth—they’ll grow out normally.

Toenails: Toenails grow half a millimetre per month, so full regrowth takes twelve to eighteen months, especially the big toe.