ONCOLOGY ESTHETICS WITH
LIZA & MONIKA

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’ve been shedding light on the importance of oncology esthetics. We’ve had the opportunity to sit down with two women, Liza Donovan and Monika Norman, who are working with oncology patients and have been for many years. We hope you find the stories of these inspirational estheticians both informational and uplifting as you read through them. 

Liza Donovan of Color Me Pretty CosMedics in Arizona  

Liza Donovan (left), a GlyMed Account Manager over our western states, comes to us from a medical aesthetician background where she previously worked in a plastic surgery practice specializing in reconstruction surgeries post-mastectomy.   

Liza is a talented para-medical tattoo artist who offers 3D areola tattooing for women who have undergone mastectomies and reconstruction surgeries after a battle with breast cancer. Through her artistry, she creates areola's so life-like that even the client can't tell the difference when they look in the mirror.  

After having a personal battle with cancer, she saw a need in the industry to help women feel whole again. Liza has always had a natural artistic ability and knew she could use her talents to give back to the women who already had so much taken from them. Thirteen years later, Liza has helped countless clients feel complete once more.   

When asked about the need for areola tattooing, Liza compared the tattoos to "icing on the cake." While reconstruction surgery is a possibility after a mastectomy, the nipple area is often neglected, and there aren't many widely known options. Yet through the power of para-medical tattooing, Liza gives the power back to her clients.   

Her clients are often in awe of her work and shocked at how real their tattoos look, which is always Liza's goal. She recalls that her clients will often cry tears of joy, thanking her for her dedication to detail and for completing the breast reconstruction process.   

Liza tells us more about the process.   

Once the breasts are removed via mastectomy, women may opt for a breast augmentation two to six months after their initial surgery to reconstruct what was once there. Reconstruction is essential for many women, as losing their breasts can often feel like losing part of their womanhood. During the reconstruction phase, artificial areolas may be surgically placed, although there may be limited, less custom options.   

This is where Liza comes in. Liza can offer her 3D tattooing service about six months after reconstruction, which allows for an individualized experience. "It's very interactive," Liza said in the interview. "They pick out the size, color, and placement. They choose exactly what they want, and I make it possible." When asked what advice she would give to an aesthetician who might feel motivated to enter this line of work, her reply was, "never stop seeking education." Liza continues to take classes even after her original certification to continue improving by learning new techniques and methods.   

Liza hopes to spread awareness that there are more options than what is first presented to someone undergoing breast reconstruction. She hopes to see more women taking the tattoo route in hopes that they won’t have to settle for anything less than what they want.

Liza’s work is simply life changing. Women who work with Liza are undoubtedly looking at themselves with kinder eyes once more.  

As an aesthetician, Liza will also consult with her clientele about how their oncology treatments may have affected the skin and what they can do to rehabilitate it. She focuses on healing the skin using gentle, restorative, and calming ingredients, like aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, calendula, arnica, chamomile, amino acids, and more.   

Some of her favorite GlyMed products include the Mega Purifying Cleanser, CBD Micro Silver Hydratherapy Masque, Skin Restoring Fulvic Elixir, Ultra Hydro Gel, Comfort Cream, Arnica+ Healing Cream, Cell Protection Balm, and  Photo-Age Sunscreen 30+.   

Monika Norman of Spa Esoteric in McKinney, Texas 

Monika Norman (right) grew up in the beauty industry, owning her first salon/spa by age 25. With over 50 years of experience in the business between hairdressing, massage, and skincare, it's safe to say Monika is an expert across the field.   

Most notably, Monika is the owner of Spa Esoteric, a full-service day spa found in McKinney, Texas. But this isn't your average spa; it's the only one in Texas that caters to oncology patients, also offering a full-service menu from mani-pedis to facials to massage and beyond.  

Monika was inspired to pursue a career in oncology aesthetics when she first moved to McKinney and met a client undergoing cancer treatment who wanted a facial. Of course, skin can become sensitized during chemo, radiation and other treatments so many estheticians may be quick to say no. However, Monika was determined to find training and products that would allow her to perform skincare and massage treatments for these clients and now many others.  

What she didn't realize at the time was this new-found knowledge would lead to becoming a light in so many lives. Monika now has a trained staff who offer oncology-safe treatments to upwards of 1,000 cancer patients annually.  

Monika recalled a time when she unfortunately had to attend a funeral for a client who had passed away from cancer. After the service family members came to Monika thanking her for making their loved one feel comfortable in their last days. In such an uncomfortable and unprecedented time, her client was able to feel relaxed inside the doors of Spa Esoteric.  

"Esthetics is my contribution to making America feel comfortable," Monika remarked in the interview. "There is a great need for those undergoing these intensive oncology treatments to feel human again. To walk into a spa and be treated to the same treatments their friends are getting helps them to feel like themselves again."  

Currently, Monika offers oncology training for licensed estheticians. She believes there is a lack of oncology education in the esthetics world and seeks to spread awareness. She hopes to see more estheticians working with oncology patients in their treatment rooms and more schools teaching about it in their curriculum.   

For anyone hesitant to take on an oncology client she offers these wise words of advice: "Knowledge is power. Great training and focusing on repairing the skin will take away any fear of damage."   

Monika has been inducted as a lifetime Marquis Who's Who member for her achievements and teachings in oncology aesthetics. While humble about her work it's plain to see that Monika has changed and continues to change the lives of so many as she will undoubtedly leave a legacy in the aesthetics world.   

Monika shared a list of her favorite GlyMed products to use in her protocols. They include Mega Cream Cleanser, Cell Protection Balm, Rejuvenating Peptide Masque, Ultra Hydro Gel and the Moisturizing Protection Cream with SPF 30 which are among the many she loves and uses every day.   

A GlyMed Thank You 

We want to thank Monika and Liza for taking the time to share their journeys with us and for all they do to comfort and boost the confidence of those living with cancer. We also want to extend a special thank you to anyone specializing in oncology esthetics, as we know you are doing some genuinely compassionate work. 

If you are interested in learning more about oncology esthetics, we encourage you to read the GlyMed Oncology eBook and seek further professional training.