Abstract
INTRODUCTION: According to the Polish Central Statistical Office and the National Cancer Registry, cancer is the main cause of death in the world. Every year over 8 million people die from cancer worldwide, while in Poland the disease kills nearly 100,000 people. The group of patients analysed in this study suffered from breast, colorectal and lung cancers, and underwent radio- and chemotherapy. The patients were treated with a cosmetic formulation to accelerate the healing of their skin and improve the functioning of the hydrolipidic barrier. AIM: To examine oncological patients' skin and to improve its biophysical parameters with a specialized cosmetic preparation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 60 female cancer patients treated at the University Hospital in Zielona Gora, Poland. The patients volunteered for in vivo tests of the cosmetic formulation. RESULTS: The emulsions applied to the patients undergoing chemotherapy significantly increased the hydration of their epidermis. After 4 months of regular use of the preparation, their skin hydration level increased by 22%. The skin hydration of the patients undergoing radiotherapy increased by 3%, as compared with the levels at the beginning of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Cosmetic formulations for oncological patients restore the adequate level of skin hydration, aid the reconstruction of the skin and its protective barrier, soothe irritations, accelerate the healing of pathological lesions and prevent their development. Adverse effects may delay or prevent further treatment. Therefore, appropriately tailored care is very important and should not be overlooked.