One of the most visible challenges with the various medications you’ll receive during your treatment are the effects these can have on your skin, nails, and hair. While these vary depending on the medications, as well as your specific skin, nail and hair type, most patients will experience at least some degree of visible change. Because you already have enough to deal with in managing cancer, it can be helpful to have some sense of changes to your body you might experience, along with a few helpful tips at the ready so that you can be your best you! 

As you begin your specific treatment, it is important to understand the possible side effects associated with the chemotherapy medications and to have a plan as to what will be best for you in managing those side effects. In this article, we are specifically focusing on the impact to your nails. 

Taking care of your hair during treatment ⇢

Skin care tips during treatment ⇢

Whether you have always taken care of your finger and toenails and had manicures/pedicures, or whether you prefer to keep it simple and just have clean, trimmed nails, or have done neither, the treatment medications are likely going to have an impact on your nail health. It’s important to be aware of the possible changes and have a few tools to help you remedy any issues. So, lets discuss.

Three most common changes to the nails during your cancer treatment:

1. Lifting on the edges or tips of the nail (sometimes making the “white” tip of the nail seem wider or visibly deeper into the main nailbed)

2. Darkening at base of nails, near the main cuticle border (sometimes nails turn black or have black stripes/ridges across the nail)

3. Cracking/splitting, chipping, peeling, or generally not growing

A few initial steps you can take to make it better:

1 | Stay natural

It is strongly recommended that you do not use any artificial nails or artificial products on your nails during treatments and for a while afterward, as these can be very damaging and will further strain your nails. That said, for those like me who want to keep their nails polished and nourished, try nail products by Dazzle Dry, which are plant-based and healthy for your nails. I have found them to help my nails instead of causing any damage and allow me to still have my nails polished, even when keeping them short and well-trimmed.

2 | Use caution if going to nail salons

Throughout your treatment journey, it is extremely important to be careful and choosy about going to nail salons. It is best to do your own nails at home or to keep your nails natural. If you absolutely must go to a salon, ensure they have the highest standards for cleaning and that they thoroughly sanitize all equipment, as well as the general area used before and after each client. Always keep in mind that your immune system is doing its very best to keep you healthy and therefore, the less risk of exposure to issues the better.

3 | Apply cuticle oils

Regularly applying cuticle oil to your nails will keep not just your cuticles healthy (which is key as cuticles are the defense system for nail health), it will also keep you nails healthy and well-nourished. You can apply a little dab of cuticle oil on each nail in the morning and at night, but also throughout the day if your hands and nails are very dry.  I like Bee Naturals Cuticle and Nail Oil because it is deeply moisturizing and easily absorbed.

With love,
Amelia O.