When a cancer diagnosis comes, the mirror also changes. Gray complexion, sparse eyelashes, ridged nails: the treatments mark the face as much as the morale. In France, breast cancer affects around 61,000 women each year, and many wonder if they still have the right to wear makeup. The real question is how to do it safely.
In the socioaesthetics workshops of the Belle et Bien association, Malika takes out her red box and her gold hoop earrings after an examination: , she confides, according to . This simple ritual, shared with other patients, is sometimes enough to boost self-esteem a little.
Cancer and makeup: a gesture that can boost morale
For professional makeup artist Carine Larchet, who runs the La Roche-Posay corrective workshop, makeup becomes a major psychological support. She explains in:
According to an OpinionWay survey for Belle et Bien, 92% of women believe that cancer significantly alters their self-image. Carine Larchet says that a few touches of lipstick or blush sometimes give courage before chemo. Doctor Nasrine Callet summarizes:
Adapt your makeup to treatments without irritating the skin
Carine Larchet recalls that during chemotherapy, the skin dries out, becomes fragile and reacts more quickly, to the point of no longer necessarily tolerating the products used before the illness. She advises against using makeup on a fresh scar or a radiotherapy area without medical approval.
All sources insist on gentle care that is low in active ingredients. Some simple guidelines for choosing your safe products:
- prefer moisturizing, soothing, hypoallergenic dermo-cosmetic textures;
- avoid alcohol, strong perfumes, essential oils and photosensitizing active ingredients on weakened skin.
Eyes, lips, nails: the right reflexes to apply makeup safely
Before applying makeup, experts recommend very gentle makeup removal followed by a suitable moisturizer. For the complexion, it is better to use a fluid foundation or a luminous BB cream, applied by tapping, combined with a coral or rosewood blush to restore your healthy glow.
On the eyes, a non-waterproof mascara with a small silicone brush respects the growing eyelashes, and a discreet line of eyeliner sometimes replaces their fringe. For the eyebrows, we work with pencil, hair by hair. On the nail side, silicon varnishes like those highlighted by Mavala during Pink October help protect a weakened matrix.
Can I wear makeup on the day of chemo?
Yes, if the healthcare team agrees and with gentle formulas.
Is permanent makeup recommended during cancer?
No, it is better to wait until the end of the treatments and the advice of a dermatologist.
Organic, natural: are these products automatically safer?
Not necessarily, especially with essential oils or strong perfumes.
