What is Oncology Esthetics?

Oncology esthetics involves up-to-date training that is specifically and specially designed to train estheticians in the modification of skincare treatments in spas to ensure the safety of people who are in the struggle of fighting cancer. Cancer treatments are definitely very unpleasant and most of all it affects their aesthetics; in most instances their skin becomes dry, rashes may develop and the skin becomes inelastic.

Oncology estheticians complement other specialists in the field of cancer treatment especially the medical oncologists. It is a type of treatment that belongs to the integrative approach which means that the treatments do not just focus on a single medical problem but treats a cancer patient in the holistic approach or as a whole person, this comprises the mind, the body, and the spirit. All treatments are patient-centered and personalized which means that therapies are designed and schemed based on the personal needs of each and every cancer patient because each person is unique and they have distinctive needs and preferences.

Having skincare treatments from a trained oncology esthetician is the safest option because they have an extremely heightened sensitivity to each and every one of their patients’ conditions. And of course, the best benefit is that they could work hand-in-hand with the oncologists in terms of special instructions and precautions for each patient.

Each esthetic treatment is modified and all these modifications are geared towards the reduction of exposure to particular treatments which may have side effects or adverse reactions on the patients’ skin. Some of the treatment modifications include:

  • Adjustments to prevent exposure to excessive heat, pressure, and friction
  • Avoidance of the use of chemical exfoliants, pealing creams, and skin-damaging scrubs
  • Avoiding the use of irritating as well as stimulating skin care products

Being an Oncology esthetician is definitely a tough job, first and foremost because the clients are special with distinctive needs because they are being treated due to cancer. There are a lot of duties and responsibilities when dealing with cancer patients, and they are as follows:

  • An oncology esthetician should be very keen in assessing his clients and if he may, should ask pertinent and relevant questions before the treatment is conducted. Some of the most important questions to ask are:
    • If there are lymph nodes that have been removed and its locations
    • If there are unusual skin pigmentations due to cancer treatments like chemotherapy
    • If the patient has taken or is currently taken steroids
    • If the patient has ports in the body used for chemotherapy
    • If the patient had or has phlebitis and its location
    • If the patient is under radiotherapy and the area being treated
    • If the patient is currently under chemotherapy or if the patient is in remission
  • An esthetician working with oncology patients should always keep in mind the rule of thumb that with cancer “Less is More”, so they should always use less heat, less friction, less pressure, and fewer skincare products.
  • Oncology estheticians could also engage in other forms of training for reflexology, aromatherapy, and Reiki which is specially intended for cancer patients.
  • The main role and responsibility of a certified oncology esthetician are to provide utmost comfort and relief for cancer patients by relieving their symptoms, reducing skin problems and improving their complete sense of well-being. The main objective is to help cancer patients cope not only with the physical aspect but as well as the emotional and psychological side. Though this one becomes an efficient and effective oncology esthetician.
  • A professional oncology esthetician should always bear in mind the safety of each and every patient while they are being treated. They should possess exceptional skills to be able to perform the treatments with utmost security and protection always keeping in mind the welfare of the patients.
  • They should be sensitive especially to the psychological aspect of each patient since the changes in their appearance may have a great impact on their capability to deal emotionally with their disease.
  • They should also be armed with actual and effective massage techniques to relieve pains, anxieties, insomnia, fatigue and other symptoms.
  • An exceptional oncology esthetician has brilliant communications skills so as to be able to talk to patients sensibly and with empathy so that they may verbalize their aches and pains may it be physically or emotionally.
  • An oncology esthetician should keep abreast about the latest treatment stratagems by attending seminars and training to qualify for licensure. They should keep their state-issued license updated as required to practice their specialty.

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