VOICES
Creating a Therapeutic
Spa Experience for
Oncology Clients
By Ahmed Abdullah, MD, FACS, FICS
A
DR. AHMED
ABDULLAH is author
of Simple Skincare, Beautiful
Skin: A Back-to-Basics
Approach, founder of Lexli
International, Inc., and
formulator of the company’s Lexli® line of
professional skin-care products (lexli.com).
A board-certified plastic/reconstructive
surgeon and a leading aloe researcher, Dr.
Abdullah is a recognized expert on the
restorative and
medicinal effects of
aloe vera. In fact, he is
a pioneer in the use of
pharmaceutical-grade
aloe in surgical
applications to expedite
healing, a practice that is
growing in popularity.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is packed
with practical and hands-on treatment advice. Be sure to share this
educational resource on proper skin
care for oncology clients to your aestheticians and therapists.
24 PULSE
n
March/April 2013
mong the most common side effects experienced by men and women
undergoing treatment for cancer are those related to the skin. From
dryness and irritation to redness and hyperpigmentation, treatments like
chemotherapy, radiation, and other targeted anti-cancer therapies can
cause discomfort and negatively impact appearance. In fact, a recent study demonstrated that the dermatological needs of oncology patients were so great that, among
study participants, nearly US$2,000 was spent by each individual for dermatology
appointments, medications, and lab tests1. Unfortunately, skin-related side effects
show no sign of diminishing with the introduction of a new generation of cancer
drugs. Many newer medications that have been designed to aggressively attack
cancer cells have demonstrated significantly more side effects, including skin issues,
than their older counterparts2.
For years, spas have been viewed as a place of solace by those undergoing a cancer
treatment, and with good reason. Spa services, such as massage and aromatherapy, have
been shown to result in short-term improvements in the psychological well-being of
oncology patients3. With skin issues so prevalently linked to cancer treatment, however,
a broader array of spa services has become beneficial to the well-being of those undergoing cancer or radiation. Estheticians have an opportunity to help generate improvements in the overall condition of oncology clients’ skin through the implementation of
therapeutic services, like facials, and, by providing an overview of proper at-home skincare techniques. But to be successful in this role, estheticians require a thorough understanding of the modifications necessary to comfortably and safely treat this clientele.