Women and men undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments are re-learning how to take care of their skin and are experiencing a “new normal” through the oncology process. When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, they can feel as if they are losing control of many aspects of their life. Licensed Providers need to develop patience when working with oncology patients. Compassion is key to supporting them and their new and ongoing skin care needs. The focus of any skin therapy treatment is to restore the skin's integrity so it can withstand oncology treatments. 

What you need to know about your or your client’s skin as they are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. Chemotherapy can cause several different skin changes generally within three weeks of the first treatment. The skin may exhibit changes that include, but are not limited to the following:

• Skin dehydration
• Hyperpigmentation (from anti-tumor antibodies) 
• Toxicity
• Photo-sensitivity (from UVR)
• Flushing
• Rash
• Allergies
• Sensitivities to common skincare ingredients
• Itching
• Scaling
• Flaking
• Tight/taught feeling skin
• Inflammatory reaction to extreme weather conditions (especially cold) 
• and other dermatological reactions. 

Avoid soaps, perfumed products, ingredients, sodium laurel sulfates, detergents, highly scented skincare, over-the-counter products without professional guidance, hot water, mechanical exfoliants, and chemical peels.

GlyMed Plus is helping breast cancer survivors by donating GlyMed Plus professional products during the rehabilitation of the skin after the harsh effects of cancer treatment. This program is called Marie’s Gift, in honor of Christine Heathman’s Aunt, Marie Smith Chakirian. 

Marie passed away in September 1996 but left a legacy of courage for cancer survivors everywhere, including the co-founding of Reach to Recovery sponsored by the American Cancer Society. In addition, GlyMed Plus is committed to carrying on Marie’s legacy by assisting breast cancer survivors through the Women Beyond Cancer Foundation. 

Pam Cofer, vice president of Journey Beyond Breast Cancer, stated, “Christine and my paths first crossed in 1998 while I was working on an idea for an organization that would be able to give cancer survivors assistance beyond the abilities of local support groups.” From the onset, Christine’s passion and understanding of what women with cancer endure were very insightful. Marie’s Gift is an incredible collection of GlyMed Plus facial products especially well suited for cancer patients and is given at no charge to them.

This personalized GlyMed Plus skin care system is designed to Cleanse, Treat, Balance and Protect to optimize the inner youth synergy of your skin while undergoing chemo/radiation therapy. Because chemotherapy and radiation cancer therapy create special circumstances for your skin, specific products have been selected to nourish, equalize, and help repair at the cellular level.

What’s included in Marie’s Gift:

• Mega Cream Cleanser
• Eye Calm
• Daily Repair Cream
• Hydrating Lip Balm
• Moisturizing Protection Cream SPF 30

If you or someone you know is affected by cancer and you’d like to submit their information to receive a Marie’s Gift Skincare System, please contact your Account Manager or click the button below to submit their information online. Your submission will be reviewed and shipped on the last Wednesday of each month.

GlyMed Plus’ full list of oncology safe products

Cleanse

• Mega Cream Cleanser
• Vitamin C Cleanser
• Peptide Firming Cleanser

Treat 

• Restoring Fulvic Elixir
• Daily Skin Clarifier
• Peptide Cream
• Essential Serum 
• Firming Serum
• Rosacea Relief
• Barrier Repair Cream
• Comfort Cream
• Protective Skin Serum 
• Recovery Cream 
• Firming Eye Cream 
• Rejuvenating Peptide Masque

Balance 

• Vitamin E Cream 
• Vitamin C Cream
• Beauty Oil
• Ultra Hydro Gel
• Protective Skin Serum
• Daily Repair Cream
• Hydrating Lip Balm
• Skin Recovery Mist

Protect 

• Moisturizing Protection Cream SPF 30