Skin care advice for patients who are having radiotherapy treatment
This information has been written to answer some of the questions you may have about skin care during your radiotherapy treatment. We hope you will find this helpful. If you have any questions please talk to your treatment team.
What to expect during your radiotherapy treatment
During your radiotherapy and for a while afterwards, you may develop a skin reaction in the area being treated. You may notice the skin in the treated area:
- gradually becoming pinker or darker, depending on your skin tone
- feeling dry or tight, and sore
- develops a rash and feel itchy
A skin reaction may appear at any time but usually begins about 10 days after starting treatment and continues after completion of the radiotherapy treatment.
What can affect my skin reaction?
- Having treatment to areas where there are skin folds can make your skin reaction worse. This includes the groin, breast, anal/rectal area or armpit because these areas can be warm, moist and rub together causing friction. This can mean that the skin develops blisters or peels. If this happens, we will be able to help with dressings and pain relief. Treatment to the head and neck area may result in a more severe skin reaction because the skin in this area receives a higher dose due to the position of the tumour.
- Receiving SACT (systemic anti-cancer treatments such as chemotherapy) alongside radiotherapy can increase the sensitivity of the area being treated.
- Smoking will make your skin reaction worse. We advise you to stop smoking, if you need help please ask a member of your treatment team for advice.
A skin reaction is also more likely if you are overweight or have other conditions such as heart disease or diabetes.
How can I help myself?
It may not be possible to stop a skin reaction but by following the advice below you may feel more comfortable.
This advice only applies to the skin in the area being treated.
- Wash the skin gently with soap and water; gently pat dry.
- Wear loose fitting, natural fibre clothing next to the skin. For example, cotton clothing.
- Avoid rubbing the area.
- Avoid extremes of temperature such as heat and cooling pads.
- Avoid/reduce shaving if possible, unless advised differently by your treatment team.
- Do not use wax or creams for hair removal.
- Avoid using make up, hair dye, perfumes and aftershave within the treated area.
- You may use deodorant unless it irritates your skin. Please stop if the skin breaks.
- Avoid sticky tape on the area (such as Elastoplast™ or Micropore™).
It may also help you to reduce irritation to the treated area if you:
- Use a moisturiser, applied thinly, twice a day - gently smooth it on and apply in the direction of hair growth. Please stop using if it irritates your skin and talk to a member of your treatment team.
- You may use your usual product as there is no evidence to say that any one moisturiser is better than another – but if you are buying something new please choose one which is sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) free as we know that this ingredient can irritate the skin. Examples are QV™, MooGoo, Doublebase™, Diprobase®, Cetraben®, Aveeno® and Biafine™ – available in shops and online.
- Some supermarket own brand body lotions are inexpensive and SLS free so please just check the labels before you buy. We do not recommend any specific product.
- There is no need to wipe moisturiser off before treatment.
- If your skin breaks or blisters then you should stop using the moisturiser. Your treatment team will advise you further. You may swim if your skin is not broken. Shower after swimming to wash off the chlorine then apply your moisturiser. Please stop swimming if it irritates your skin.
- Avoid exposing the treated area to the sun. Wear a brimmed hat and/or cover up with clothing. Be careful in the sun for at least a year after you have finished treatment. Use a sunscreen with a minimum UVB sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 and UVA protection as your skin will be more sensitive. ‘Sunsense™’ brand is available in some shops, online and on prescription if you have received radiotherapy.
Your treatment team will let you know if this advice changes during treatment.
Your skin reaction may worsen for 7 to 14 days after finishing radiotherapy treatment. It will then gradually start to improve.
Most patients find their skin has healed by about a month after treatment finishes. However, if the skin has broken, healing may take longer than this.
If you are unsure about this advice or have any questions, please talk to a member of your treatment team or review radiographer. We are also available for you to contact after the end of radiotherapy for advice over the telephone or a face-to-face appointment. We will give you our contact details at the end of your course of radiotherapy.