Since the 2003 Cancer Plan, socio-aesthetics has been an integral part of supportive care in oncology.

"The mission of the socio-beautician is to care for and inform women with cancer by answering their various questions, giving them advice and, above all, reassuring them. accompany them during their treatment and sometimes after, "explains Corinne Autexier, a socio-beautician at the Rose Pavilion of La Roche Posay Thermal Center *.

Through beauty workshops or benefiting from socio-aesthetic care, women learn to adapt their care to the disease, but also to tame their new image, to regain self-confidence and to rebuild as they go along. course of care (before, during and after).

Hair loss, a mourning particularly difficult to do

"The main concern for a majority of women, sometimes even before knowing what treatment they will receive, is hair loss, and I insist on the term 'fall' because we tend to use the word 'loss', but they are not lost since they will push back after ", recalls Corinne Autexier.

But hair loss (and eyebrows) is not inevitable. Indeed, it is not the disease itself that is responsible for this side effect, but some drugs used in cancer chemotherapy treatment protocols.

Those who, unfortunately, are concerned by this situation may choose to cut them little by little or very short "to get used to", explains Corinne, to totally shave them or to wait until they fall gradually.

"They are left free to choose, they are already undergoing their treatments, their side effects and for some, a partial or total mastectomy.These are things that are imposed on them so it is important that they still have the freedom to do the same. feel that they are "actresses" and that they can maintain control over this body that escapes them. "

And the regrowth? "At first, it's like a down, then the hair becomes denser as the weeks go by.It is often more flexible than before, or curly.And, as time and regrowth, they find their hair before, "says the expert.

In some cases, very rare (only 4% of patients), the treatments can completely destroy the bulb, thus preventing complete regrowth.

Wigs, scarves, hats ... At each parade to feel comfortable

The Health Insurance reimburses patients only up to 125 € , whether the wig is natural or synthetic.

The main differences between the two models? "The big difference is the price: the natural ones are very expensive, and they require more maintenance because they have to be shampooed or two a week, but most of all blow them dry while synthetic fiber hair prostheses dry out. in the open air and do not need to be put in shape, "says the socio-beautician.

However, not all women have the means, or the desire, to have one. They can then turn to scarves, turbans, or hats.

"The important thing is that they find the accessory or the wig in which they feel comfortable and that they like," adds Corinne Autexier.

Take care of yourself to reconnect with your body

Hair loss, drying of the skin and weakening of the nails are all changes that can occur in women with cancer. Side effects, which depend on treatments and do not concern all women affected by the disease, which can be remedied by appropriate care whose application also allows to reconnect to his body.

• The skin
  

It can become very dry, intolerant, finer and more sensitive.

The face, the body and the scalp must be hydrated and soothed with gentle products, ideally from dermo-cosmetics or dedicated brands like MEME cosmetics , La Roche Posay, Avene, Bioderma, Uriage Dermago.

Oils, milks, micellar or thermal waters, dermatological breads and products free of irritating ingredients such as alcohol, dyes or perfumes are preferred.

In the sun, the skin must also be protected from UV with a high-index moisturizing sun product .

Finally, to deal with Hand-Foot Syndrome, another consequence of treatments that is characterized by warming and reddening of the palms and soles of the feet, Corinne insists on prevention to limit its effects. "It takes a lot of moisturizing every day, avoid tight shoes or heels and favor the wearing of cotton socks."

• Nails
  

Some protocols can weaken the nails and cause pain in the fingertips and in the nails.

The latter can then change appearance, color, the skin underneath can thicken and cause the fall of the nails.

"Women are advised not to have their nails too long to avoid shocks or breakage, to file them rather than to cut them, to feed them with a fortifying oil or to massage them with a hand cream. also proposes to put a base of polish with silicon to reinforce them and to affix a varnish of color on top to protect them from the light.But, attention, sometimes the prevention is not enough and does not prevent the deterioration of the nails. "

• Makeup

If, during treatments, the nature of the skin changes, this does not prevent to continue to wear makeup. It is nevertheless preferable to opt for more suitable makeup products. For example, Corinne Autexier advises against the use of a waterproof mascara, which is too difficult to remove and therefore likely to weaken the eyelashes and the skin.

In the workshops of socio-aesthetic, women learn to mitigate the signs left by the disease (dark circles, imperfections). Those who have no eyebrows practice to redraw them or can be tempted by the semi-permanent tattoo (with the prior consent of their oncologist).

"You still have to take a few precautions with this technique.We must turn to a professional who uses pigments of very good quality to reduce the risk of allergies and intolerances.In fact, chemotherapy decreases the immune defenses and therefore promotes the infectious risk associated with dermopigmentation.I advise to wait until the end of treatment if you absolutely want to use it. "

* https://www.thermes-larocheposay.fr/travaux-pavillon-rose