Survivorship: During and After Treatment

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Looking Your Best During Cancer Treatment

Cancer and cancer treatment can bring about changes in how you look. Taking small steps to care for your appearance may help you feel better about yourself during cancer treatment.  

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What you can do to look your best

Looking and feeling good during cancer looks different for everyone. Some people may focus on feeling comfortable instead of their looks, and that's okay. For others, taking steps to care for their appearance can help them feel their best.

Cancer treatment can cause changes in your skin, nails, and hair that impact how you look. Their texture or color may change, or you may lose your hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes. These changes are usually temporary but can be stressful during treatment.

Here are some things you can do to stay encouraged:

  • Keep your skin moisturized daily. Find a lotion, cream, or body butter that feels good on your skin and prevents it from being dry.
  • If your face is oily, use an oil-free moisturizer or a matte setting spray or powder.
  • Protect your skin from the sun. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher that has zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Wear coverings like sunglasses, head coverings, and clothing with UV protection when you’re outside.

  • Keep your hair brushed or styled in a way you like
  • Shave with an electric razor to prevent nicks and cuts.
  • If you’re having hair loss, think about options to trim or cut it. It’s your choice to use a head covering (wig, scarf, or bandana) or not.
  • Learn about products that might work for at EverYou™ by the American Cancer Society

  • If your nails are weak and chip easily, keep them trimmed short to help prevent them from catching on to things.
  • Use clean tools to gently cut, clean, and file your nails. Push your cuticles back rather than cutting them. 
  • Paint your nails if that makes you feel good. Be sure to check with your cancer care team before getting manicures, pedicures, or waxes in salons or spas.
  • Protect your hands and nails with household gloves during chores to reduce exposure to soaps and cleaning agents. Use moisturizing creams after hand washing. 

  • Keep up with regular mouth care, like brushing, flossing and rinsing your mouth. Talk with your cancer care team before setting up dental cleanings or other procedures during treatment.
  • If you’re having dry mouth, keep your mouth moistened. You can also try sucking on sugarless candy or using sugarless gum.
  • Keep your lips moist with a water-based lip balm.

Consider makeup

Makeup can help boost your mood and confidence by helping with changes to your skin, lashes, or brows. You can use a little or a lot of makeup. It's up to you and what makes you feel good.

Before using any new skin care products or makeup for covering treatment areas, check with your cancer care team, especially if you are still receiving treatment or if you have had a skin reaction.

If you lose your eyebrows and eyelashes

  • Take a good close-up photo of your face before treatment as a guide for applying eyebrows after hair loss or use an eyebrow stencil. You may consider going to a salon that does eyebrows and asking a professional for tips. It can take practice to draw on your own eyebrows.
  • There are many techniques to draw on eyebrows. Consider watching tutorials online and finding one you like. They can provide tips on affordable products to use.
  • Line your eyes with a soft eyeliner pencil to give the effect of lashes. Smudge with your finger for a softer look.
  • Consider using false lashes. Ask your cancer care team if there are any adhesives you should avoid.

For a natural skin tone

  • Pat on concealer to hide red or dark areas. Then apply a warm tone foundation, blending into your neck for a natural look.
  • Use blush or bronzer for long lasting color. Watch online tutorials on application to achieve the look you like the best.

Add color to your lips

  • Use lipstick, tint, stain, liner, or another colored lip product. There are many looks. Watch some tutorials online to find one you like.
  • Keep your lips moisturized with lip masks, lip balms, lip oils, or lip gloss.

Tips to avoid infection

  • Wash your hands before applying makeup.
  • Buy new make-up before starting treatment.
  • Clean brushes weekly.
  • Replace eyeliner and mascara every 3 months or sooner if needed.

What caregivers can do

  • Encourage your loved one to go on short outings they enjoy.
  • Help keep a supply of your loved one’s preferred toiletries, lotions, and grooming supplies on hand.
  • Do something for yourself. Being a caregiver can be a fulltime job. Take some time to step away and do things you enjoy.

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Developed by the American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

American Academy of Dermatology Association. 2025. When to toss your makeup and sunscreen. Accessed at https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/prevent-skin-problems/replace-makeup-sunscreen on November 25, 2025.

American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Protecting your skin from the sun. Accessed at www.cancer.net. Content no longer available.

Ju MD, Qin Q, Li M. Whole-process case management effects on mental state and self-care ability in patients with liver cancer. World J Gastrointest Surg. 2024;16(3):833-841. doi:10.4240/wjgs.v16.i3.833

Look good feel better. Makeup step-by-step. 2025. Accessed at http://lookgoodfeelbetter.org/programs/beauty-guide/makeup-step-by-step/ on November 25, 2025

National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines). Prevention and Treatment of Cancer-Related Infections. v 3.2024. Accessed at https://www.nccn.org on November 25, 2025.

Veçoso MC, Zalla S, Andreo-Filho N, et al. Effect of makeup use on depressive symptoms: An open, randomized and controlled trial. Dermatology and Therapy. 2024 Mar;14(3):777-91. Accessed at https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-024-01128-w on November 25, 2025.

Last Revised: December 10, 2025

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