Medical aspect: oncology and permanent make-up

Alina Mantula, dermatovenereologist, candidate of medical sciences, head of the department at the Euroderm clinic

If a person with cancer comes to you, you should not refuse him the procedure. Cancer is not an obstacle to permanent makeup. True, the master needs to understand that the skin of such patients has a number of features. Read about it in the article.

The significance and complexity of the problem of oncological diseases has no analogues in modern medicine. Among the causes of death, malignant tumors rank second after cardiovascular diseases, and at present, the growth of oncological diseases remains steady. However, it should be recognized that many types of cancer today are curable and modern medicine makes it possible to achieve long-term remission. And during this period, the social adaptation of patients who have gone through such a difficult path in the fight against this disease is very important. Before patients who have successfully overcome difficult courses of chemotherapy, surgical treatment, targeted and radiation therapy, the question of social rehabilitation and recovery arises. The issue is especially acute among women who have gone through this difficult path, because for them it is very important to preserve youth and beauty even in this difficult period of life.

"Special" skin

Unfortunately, there is no consensus in the medical and aesthetic community regarding the implementation of cosmetic and aesthetic procedures in this group of patients. First of all, this is due to the minimum number of clinical studies that regulate our actions. On the one hand, oncological diseases are included in the list of relative or absolute contraindications for a number of techniques, on the other hand, we understand that in some cases a positive aesthetic result for this category of patients can be very significant. A specialist in the aesthetic field should be especially careful when dealing with the skin of this category of clients, whether it be injection techniques or permanent makeup procedures.

What is the reason for such caution? It should be understood that changes in the skin can be caused not only by ongoing processes in the body against the background of the development of the oncological process, but also develop against the background of ongoing treatment. Skin diseases and symptoms of skin lesions that occur against the background of malignant tumors of internal organs are called paraneoplastic dermatoses in modern dermatology. Most often, they can manifest themselves in the form of hyperpigmentation, bullous rashes, increased keratinization, or they can manifest themselves in the form of classic dermatoses, which differ in the prevalence of the process and the torpidity to the therapy (paraneoplastic pemphigus, Dühring's herpetiform dermatitis, etc.).

In recent decades, understanding of the main mechanisms leading to the above skin changes has been formed. The tumor can secrete biologically active substances, growth factors, interleukins, cytokines, prostaglandins, etc. Their effect on the body can cause the appearance of paraneoplastic changes on the skin. The formation of immune complexes should also be considered.

Often, against the background of ongoing chemotherapy, specific skin reactions may occur in the form of erythematous rashes or urticaria. These manifestations can be local, rarely generalized. As a rule, they appear a few hours after chemotherapy and quickly regress. But professionals in the aesthetic industry should remember that after this, the skin of patients becomes sensitive and prone to allergic reactions for a long period. Therefore, it is extremely important for permanent makeup masters to give preference to hypoallergenic pigments, not to work on a large area. If, during examination, the presence of redness and peeling of the skin is noted not only at the site of the proposed introduction of the pigment, then the procedure should be temporarily abandoned in order to avoid undesirable consequences.

Also, after undergoing chemotherapy courses, there is a significant transdermal loss of moisture, the skin becomes drier and needs significant hydration. Often, peeling, redness, itching, and rashes often appear in addition to severe dryness of the skin.

In conclusion, I would like to note that the presence of cancer is not a contraindication for aesthetic procedures and permanent makeup procedures. But an objective assessment of the condition of the skin and a personalized, balanced approach are very important.

Also, permanent makeup masters and estheticians should take into account the risks of secondary infection in this category of clients. This is due to a decrease in immunity against the background of the underlying disease, as well as due to the use of immunosuppressive therapy. It is important to observe the rules of asepsis and antisepsis not only during the procedure, but also during the healing and rehabilitation period. You should also remember about the decrease in reparative processes in the body and healing processes on the skin, so it is advisable to include special agents in post-procedure care that promote more active tissue regeneration.

The material was first published in Petmanent magazine No. 1(13)/2019