Summertime Nail Care For Cancer Patients

Here are some tips on how to maintain healthy nails for cancer patients during the summer

Dr. Shyamali Singhal knows that while protecting our skin may seem like a no-brainer priority  when we're at the beach, rarely do we think about protecting the nails. However, the sun, surf, and sand can play a huge part in the overall nail health. This is especially true if the nails are already brittled by receiving chemotherapy drugs, or some other form of cancer treatment.  From split cuticles to damaged nail beds, there are several ways that a day at the beach could ruin delicate nails. Cancer patients can keep their polish looking it's best by knowing how to protect the nails from the harsh sun, sand, and surf.

Can Nails Get Sunburned?

Nails can also get sunburned, just like the rest of the body. The sun can burn the skin under the nails, and can cause damage the nail itself. As this may sound scary, there are ways to fight it. There are many  ways to combat this type of damage. All it takes is a few extra steps in the beauty routine to keep the nails looking and feeling their best. No one wants burned fingernails, if it can be avoided in any way. Thinking of these things, and how to aid patients in these times, Dr. Singhal came up with these seven easy steps for protecting the nails while at the beach. 

• Give your nails the strength they need to survive a day at the beach by applying a few coats of nail straightener before you head out the door. This way your nails will be nourished and strong before you hit the sand, so you can relax and not think about it.

• Dr. Singhal said that longer nails are more prone to snagging and breaking. There is a fix: by filing your nails down, you can reduce your chances of ruining your manicure while at the beach.

• From the gritty sand to the salty sea, there are plenty of reasons why your nail beds could be drying out at the beach. In order to prevent splitting, or even bleeding, cancer patients should consider bringing along a cuticle moisturizer to the beach. This way your cuticles can soak up the moisture, while you're soaking up the sun.

• For those with a fresh manicure, try to be sparing when it comes to applying SPF around your nails. There are some chemicals in sunscreen that can weaken or remove nail polish.

• Like any other part of your body, your nails are prone to UV damage. Dr. Shyamali Singhal recommends keeping your nails looking and feeling their best by using a UV protection topcoat or polish before you head to the beach.

• Dr. Singhal advises cancer patients to think thoroughly through spending a lot of time in the ocean. Not only can prolonged time in the water cause your manicure to chip, but the salt water can also dry out your nails causing them to become brittle. As all things hard on the skin, this is even more true with cancer patients undergoing some sort of cancer treatment.

• Anything with a grainy texture is going to remove your nail polish, that’s for sure,  therefore, sand is basically your pedicure's worst nightmare. Bring along your nail polish to the beach in order to fix any chipping.

When it comes to protect your nails from the sand, surf, and sun, it's anything but a day at the beach, but it’s doable.

How Can You Help Yuur Nails?

Dr. Singhal recommends cancer patients to nourish, protect, and revitalize their nails with nail treatments specially selected by Hope & Beauty. All of Chemo Companion nail treatments and polish removers are vegan, cruelty-free, and completely non-toxic, and will strengthen and breathe new life into nails.

For special nourishing care, Dr. Singhal has selected cuticle oil with tea tree oil, almond & ginseng.

The right kind of care for your cuticles is vital to the overall strength and health of your nails after cancer treatment. Karma Organic cuticle and nail oils are very absorbent and contain no harsh chemicals or odors, which is especially important for cancer patients. Everything we put on our skin enters our bloodstream, so it's wise to use only ingredients that are known not to be harmful to our body.