World Cancer Day is celebrated on February 4th, and to this day, we remain misinformed. It's always the same discussion: protect yourself, get checked, love those who suffer from it, keep fighting, eat this, sleep well, buy creams... But there's never an honest and unashamed conversation. Isn't this a real and normal situation?
We can talk about the positive effects of chemotherapy, but never about its harmful side effects on our bodies. It's not a journey, nor is it a fight, nor is it often a temporary thing, nor even something with a cure... But it's time to lay our cards on the table and talk about you, me, and her so we can help each other not feel so responsible for our discomfort.
The "Sick Nurse" Concept
Almost everyone knows someone who has had to live with cancer at some point in their life, or who is doing so right now. It's normal for those of us around them not to realize that these individuals will go through a journey full of drastic changes that will affect their daily lives. And if you are the one living with it, this is for you, because you matter to us and because you deserve a break.
Have you been recommended cosmetic brands that are more harmful to your skin than chemotherapy itself? Have you ever been told to just wait for it to pass? Don't scratch, drink water, take gentle showers... A myriad of recommendations that don't depend on you, and yes, they help, but you deserve support that allows you to rest from extreme self-care.
Toxins to counteract the toxic effects of chemotherapy
Yes... It seems crazy, but that's what it is, absolutely crazy! We are tired of being sold the same chemicals that might have had something to do with this situation. But leaving aside the reasons, let's get to the solution: abandon toxins. There isn't a magic cream that will make the discomfort you feel and see on your skin disappear, but there are alternatives to those recommended ones that we won't discuss further.
You are natural, you are pure life, and you deserve to be accompanied by Nature to find the peace you need (and everyone needs). All those synthetic creams mimic the powers of ingredients we get from our Earth, but where do those side effects come from then?
Too much sensationalism and too few measures
"The most frequently diagnosed cancers in Spain in 2024 will be colorectal (44,294 new cases), breast (36,395), lung (32,768), prostate (30,316), and bladder (22,097). Far behind, the next most frequent cancers will be non-Hodgkin lymphomas (10,706), and cancers of the pancreas (9,986), kidney (9,208), oral cavity and pharynx (7,603), uterine body (7,305), stomach (6,868), and liver (6,856)" according to the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) and the Spanish Network of Cancer Registries (REDECAN).
It's great to talk about eating vegetables and fruit, reducing meat consumption, exercising, sleeping well... But it's useless if when you try to take care of yourself, it turns out that what seems good is, in fact, harmful to you. The use of toxins in industries is not scrutinized, and it seems that everything is only related to our "bad" habits. If you don't get intoxicated by eating, you do it with your clothes, and if not, with your cosmetic products. What is clear is that it is common for us to get intoxicated with all of this.
Natural cosmetics for people undergoing oncology treatments
The most common oncology treatments are chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. These produce very noticeable side effects in the body:
- Hair loss
- Scalp itching or pruritus
- Dry skin
- Weakness and fatigue
- Skin peeling
- Hard skin and blisters on hands and feet
- Swelling in the extremities
- Skin spots (red and hyperpigmentation)
- Mouth sores
It is crucial to separate each stage of treatment so that our bodies suffer as little as possible. There is a before treatment, very important and often ignored, where the ideal is to conduct a prior analysis of the skin's condition to try to prepare it as best as possible for what's to come.
During treatment, you should focus on alleviating side effects while taking a series of prescribed medications and changing hygiene products to less aggressive ones for the skin. You will be recommended a lot of cosmetics with paraffin, ceramides, moisturizing acids, panthenol, and anti-inflammatories (these are just some of the many ingredients).
All this, along with new habits, much more delicate, in which you must stay hydrated, although it will not be easy at all. Here are some tips:
- Do not shave
- Do not use exfoliants, or scratching gloves or brushes
- Short showers and pat drying to avoid damaging the skin
- Preferably wear slightly loose cotton clothing
- Use products without chemicals, without alcohol or artificial perfumes, and easy to apply
- Use effective SPF50+ sunscreen
- Keep your comfort space clean and humid
- Balanced and hydrating diet
And the last stage, the completion of treatment, where one can live with those side effects for up to a year without definitively alleviating them. Care is important to recover the elasticity and properties of your skin, so we encourage you to start as soon as possible with a beneficial cosmetic routine for you.
At Banbu, we are very clear about this and we want to support you in any situation you are in. That's why we avoid using harmful ingredients for you, because in Nature we find genuine support. We love ourselves and we deserve to be free of toxins! Please always check the ingredients and don't be afraid to ask or research.
What do we recommend?
Our range for sensitive skin with 100% natural, toxic-free, and officially certified ingredients can help you with irritation and also contribute to skin hydration without producing a rebound effect.
Our SMOOTH Shampoo for Sensitive Hair, prone to breakouts and scalp wounds, can help you with maintenance while your hair grows back.
And for the body, ECO Powder Shower Soap EMPATHY enriched with shea butter, coconut and olive oil, and Damask rose. Furthermore, our body oil will surely relieve that itching caused by calluses and skin weakness.
For the face, you can use our ECO MILD Serum for Sensitive Skin, which will not only hydrate but also provide a soothing effect, and it absorbs very quickly! It is specifically designed for hypersensitive skin prone to rosacea and couperose.
And because we believe everyone deserves to feel good, if your self-esteem is undermined by your physical appearance, dare to try natural makeup! If you decide to take the step with Banbu, and you live in Bilbao or Barcelona, visit our physical store and we will be delighted to find the best for you.
Love yourself, take care of yourself, and above all, let others take care of you, because you shouldn't be alone, and much less, in bad company. We are delighted to listen to you so we can learn and improve this journey that is as much yours as it is ours. We'll be here for whatever you need!
Author: Nathalia Carrillo Jácome
