Skin care for cancer patients

Plant-based medicine for skin repair

Sometimes, cancer treatments can cause adverse effects in patients that may impact their quality of life, as these not only destroy cancer cells but also damage healthy tissue in our body. One of the most frequent and visible effects is the damage caused to the skin: loss of elasticity, itching, stinging, and hypersensitivity are some of the symptoms that a cancer patient may experience, which are much more acute in areas with thinner skin, such as the breast.

Until now, the formulations used to alleviate the adverse effects of cancer treatment have provided symptomatic relief, but they have not been formulated to repair damaged tissue or accelerate the skin regeneration process. We are referring to classic topical antiseptics, moisturizers, corticosteroids, antihistamines, and analgesics, such as lidocaine or urea creams.

On the contrary, the new trend is to recover traditional medicine to repair the skin, as products of plant origin contain chemical compounds that are biologically active.

To improve the level of skin hydration, extracts of plants rich in phytoceramides and essential fatty acids are used, such as jojoba, safflower, or grape seed oil. Phytoceramides replace the ceramides lost in the lipid barrier as a result of cancer treatment and restore their main function: controlling internal water transpiration and protecting the Natural Moisturizing Factors found within corneocytes. On the other hand, essential fatty acids, in addition to other functions, help restructure the lipid barrier by preventing water loss and are part of the cell membrane regeneration process.

To relieve the sensation of pain and inflammation, some plant species contain anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant active ingredients: phenols, flavonoids, and phytosterols. These, through different mechanisms of action, control the processes of inflammation, cellular oxidation, and pain. Examples of this are chamomile and Ginkgo biloba, which are widely used in soothing formulations.

In traditional medicine, compounds of plant origin have always been used for their great capacity for healing and skin regeneration. Aloe vera and Centella asiatica, for example, stimulate the synthesis of collagen fibers. There are also other skin regeneration mechanisms, such as that of rosehip. Its oil is known for its richness in polyunsaturated essential fatty acids, which play an important role in the regeneration of the damaged lipid barrier.

Due to the loss of skin integrity caused by cancer treatment, the entry of microorganisms that can cause infections is facilitated. In order to set aside traditional antiseptics, essential oils are used, as one of their best-known pharmacological effects is antimicrobial action. The most widely used products are rosemary, tea tree, and eucalyptus oil, among many others.

Proper skin regeneration is essential to improve the quality of life of cancer patients. The skin protects us from solar radiation and pathogenic invasions, prevents the evaporation of internal water, and, above all, protects our vital organs. Any failure in re-epithelialization can cause the loss of the skin's protective function and, therefore, the loss of organ protection, dehydration, and infections. Furthermore, the skin is our calling card to others, and due to the lesions and burns that can occur, a change in skin appearance will arise that can limit the cancer patient socially and psychologically.

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