How to Do a Facial With Chemo Induced Neuropathy

by Shelley Hess

I have chosen to share what I just recently learned after speaking with two other aestheticians that are dealing with similar issues. They told me that they had not yet found a solution to the problem. It occurred to me that there would be other readers that could benefit from the solutions that I happen to find to help myself.

As the title implies I am now dealing with having cancer. Stage 3 metastic to lymph nodes to be exact… nothing I would ever have thought I would have had to be struggling through in my lifetime. But alas, we all have to deal with the hand we are dealt. My clients need to feel the same love and dedication through my hands as they had before I started my chemo. If any of you are experiencing these challenges, then perhaps my solutions might be helpful to you.

From the first infusion, neuropathy set in. I was warned it would come about and it would affect the ends of the fingertips, toes, and even my throat. My oncologist and I never expected it to start with the first treatment. Neuropathy is a condition that often is permanent. It takes on many different forms.

To properly work within the limitations of neuropathy, you have to plan on setting up your treatment station differently than before having the condition. Since you cannot touch anything even slightly cold without experiencing serious pain and subsequent dropping of the object out of your grasp, certain things will contribute to setting off what I have come to call “a neuropathy zinger.” Switching to all non-metallic materials is extremely important. However, there are items that cannot be changed. Comedone extractors, the arm of a steamer, or dermascope lamp is made of metal. None of them can be changed. We all wear latex or vinyl gloves, but I had learned they won’t shield you from all the temperature changes. I developed gauze wraps that could slide on and off so that I could just reach up and touch the gauze wrapped areas. I had to make several of the wraps in advance so that they were readily available for each client’s session.

I decided not to hide what was going on with me, but I also was careful to downplay it. After all, as aestheticians we are suppose to be “all about the clients’ needs and wants.” Even though cancer is not contagious, it is inevitable that there will be a person that does not want to be around anyone that has cancer. This can be disastrous to your client base.

I found that it was necessary to book my appointments with breaks in between them. My energy level waned far more easily on the week that I had to be infused. And the daily nausea also made it harder to keep on track. I chose to give myself fifteen minutes between every facial appointment. And I decided that all mask applications were going to take no less than ten minutes. Following this protocol, I was able to give myself a total of eight, 25 minute rests throughout an eight-hour shift.

Another change in my work was keeping the facial room’s temperature warmer. Not easy during the summer when the salon air conditioner was running more and harder. Neuropathy plays havoc with your body temperature. Anything colder than “tepid” causes intense pain. It is like every nerve cell decides to scream at you all at the same moment… take it from me, it is not a fun experience. Once you have to live through one session, you will use a great deal of effort to make sure you do not have a repeat performance. One solution I found was to close off the vents but to add a small six-inch fan that could be clipped onto the counter. I needed the air to circulate gently over my client and me. But the air cannot be “cold.”

I am known for my extensive aromatherapy treatments. But while on chemo, aromatherapy can be very difficult to handle. The nausea alone makes all smells more powerful. I have to admit this one was really hard to solve. But after several facial sessions filled with “tossing my cookies” during the treatments I did come up with some good choices. Before chemo, I could have used four different forms of aromatherapy per facial, and I do eight facials a day. That means my system easily encountered thirty-two essential oils a day. And for years that was no problem. Here is my aromatherapy chemo solution. I have to tell you, it takes a great deal of planning to make it work. However it is successful.

I chose five essential oils that can be very effective for my clientele. The five are chamomile, lemon, lavender, neroli, and sandalwood. I plan my clients’ appointments to use these as concurrently as possible. For eight facials in one day – I try to use two or three aromatherapy oils for the whole day.

Lavender and sandalwood can be used for anyone. Neroli and lemon are perfect for oily or acne skin. Chamomile is ideal for dry, sensitive skin. My chemo will only last six months. Then I will return to my normal methods. So far it is only been two months with chemo. And my clients have not complained about any of the changes.