Hello! Yes there are quite a few posts on skin care during radiotherapy but always good to see if anyone else has a newer recommendation i used La Roche Cicaplast, I am a darker skin tone and didn’t have any redness, but I do use aveeno a lot on my kids as it’s well known for being really good on sensitive skin. As long as it’s suitable for your skin type and you are following your team’s advice on when to apply, you should hopefully recover well! Wishing you all the best
My radiographer recommended Cetraben cream. You can buy it over the counter but I have it prescribed by the GP. I found it very good and had no problems with my skin after radiotherapy apart from a little bit of itchiness and slight redness, both of which were relieved by the Cetraben. Start using it as soon as you can and I used it twice a day, putting the first lot on in the loo immediately after the treatment. When it did get itchy in the breast crease the radiographer advised to put a clean cotton hanky, or gauze square under the breast which worked.
I used MooGoo udder cream. It was great, skin did go pink towards the end of 5 sessions and felt a bit tight at times, but no soreness or breaking out. Use it for a few days before and take it with you to slap on immediately after each treatment. Top up again 3 times during the day. I’m still using it twice a day several weeks after RT and skin seems to be pretty much back to normal, just the nipple is darker.
I used flamigel which I got off Amazon. I had 9 sessions, moisturised 4 times each day for about 2 weeks, then reduced it. I even took it to each session to apply immediately afterwards. I had a bit of pink skin which eventually looked like a sun tan. I had no pain, blisters or soreness. A tip I was given by one of the radiographers was to expose the treated area to the air as much as possible. So I would put a vest top on or change into a nightie and sit there at home, exposing my boob! Okay if you don’t have teenage kids around !
I had 15 sessions - luckily did not experience soreness - just some skin darkening. I used flamigel - put it on immediately after and then numerous times during the day. it absorbs quickly. it was not available on prescription at my Trust - so bought from amazon.
I was recommended E45 or Aveeno. I knew I was allergic to E45 but the Aveeno made me super itchy too (and that was before I’d started with the radiation!). I’m also allergic to all the medical creams like Diprobase…. I ended up using this glycerin product which must be diluted with water:
I put about 1cm deep if that into a clean drinking glass and topped up with tap water so that it’s 4 parts water and 1 part glycerin. Mixing it together makes like a baby oil consistency which is inert, non perfumed and similar enough to body fat to no trigger allergies. I took the product to see the radiation doctor and she was happy with this. I finished radiation nearly a week ago and no problems. I used baby dove fragrance free shower gel from Amazon too.
The key with radiation is to avoid any friction to the skin. I don’t think it’s like an external burn, more that the stem cells that would replace sloughed off skin are disrupted so it’s harder to repair any chafing. I have an implant reconstruction so I’m still wearing the surgical bra but I wear it over a cotton vest and have found that folding the vest up underneath I can make a cushion for the bra elastic and actually wearing a vest and a T-shirt underneath is even more comfy. If you didn’t get a reconstruction then you might be advised to go braless or apparently Japanese doctors recommend wearing silk against the skin eg wrapping a silk scarf around and under your bra.
I was really worried about radiation effects before I started but it’s been absolutely fine and the staff were super lovely, it was more like a spa treatment. I requested only female staff before I started and they were able to accommodate that too. Hope yours goes well xx
Some centres routinely prescribe - mine didn’t . My friend was treated at another centre and was prescribed Aveeno . Some will prescribe Flamigel or Flammazine but usually only if you have burned already . I have sensitive skin and initially used jojoba oil as I know it’s practically impossible to be allergic to it and I had also read that it’s better to avoid sodium laurel sulphate which is actually in quite a few skin products and I thought well jojoba oil is just one ingredient so I couldn’t go wrong . It stopped my skin breaking down but I did burn quite badly initially . I eventually changed to Aveeno which worked well for me . I also used a soap and body wash that was free of SLS .
When I was waiting for my first treatment a banner came across the screen telling us NOT to use Sudocrem .
Aloe Vera gel can be good for itching especially if it’s kept in the fridge .
I wore a Proskins sleep bra or crop top underneath my post - surgery bra and a bamboo sock in the skin fold beneath my breast . Other people have used bamboo cloths / silk scarves in their bras or worn a soft T shirt underneath their bra . Some people have been told to go braless - I don’t understand this advice as the treatment can make your breast swell and the support can help to prevent lymphoedema . The last person I communicated with who had done this as her Nurse had suggested ended up with broken skin and a fungal infection so if they advise that I would really quiz them on it to be honest though it might well be different for mastectomy.
After a few weeks I did stop wearing my post - op bras and at a clinic appointment related to something else my breast was found to be swollen and I was advised to go back to wearing them . It is very important to prevent friction though as has been stated already .
I have sensitive skin (eczema and psoriasis), so the radiologist prescribed Flamigel RT three times a day, to be started on the first day. of treatment ( Don’t apply immediately before radiotherapy though).
I continued with this for a few weeks after treatment. Since then, I’m using Cetraben cream as my daily moisturiser.
I also tried to drink lots of water and eat fruit and veg. during treatment.
Hi, I’ve had 6 of 15 RT sessions so far. I was given flamigel RT, although they said I could use aveeno or a hypoallergenic emollient like you’d use for eczema if I preferred. I’m just using the flamigel they gave me and so far my skins slightly pinker than normal and a bit warm to the touch but no other issues. Im putting it on every few hours so fingers crossed it won’t get too bad. Hope it goes smoothly for you xxx
I was given flamigel by the radio therapists along with some other cream if I had broken skin. Both of which are available on prescription. I was advised to keep them in the fridge so they had a cooling effect when I used them. I didn’t use anything else. Hope this helps x
i used La Roche Cicaplast, I am a darker skin tone and didn’t have any redness, but I do use aveeno a lot on my kids as it’s well known for being really good on sensitive skin. As long as it’s suitable for your skin type and you are following your team’s advice on when to apply, you should hopefully recover well! Wishing you all the best 
