Caring for Your Skin and Hair
Wellness from the outside-in
The main cause of melanoma is too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the skin.
UV rays from the sun and other sources (such as tanning booths) can damage skin cells, causing them to grow in ways that are not normal.
During and after treatment, it is especially important to protect your skin. Protect yourself when you're in the sun. The area where you had melanoma should not be exposed to the sun at all.
When you go outside, take these important steps:
- Wear tightly-woven cotton clothing in the sun
- Wear long sleeves and long pants
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and neck
- Wear UV-absorbing sunglasses to protect your eyes
- Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher when you are in the sun
- Stay out of the sun between 11 AM and 3 PM, when the rays are strongest
Sometimes, hair may thin or fall out during treatment with INTRON® A. The medical term for this is alopecia. Hair loss may get worse as treatment continues, but hair will generally grow back after treatment is over. Permanent baldness is very rare.
Gentle care of your hair and scalp can be helpful. For example, use mild shampoos (such as baby shampoo), a soft brush, and conditioners to prevent pulling and tangling. Avoid hairstyles that pull on your hair (such as corn rows or ponytails). Also stay away from harsh chemicals found in perms, relaxers, bleaches, and dyes.
Read more tips for thinning hair.
- Alopecia
- The lack or loss of hair from areas of the body where hair is usually found. Alopecia can be a side effect of some cancer treatments.
- Cell
- The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.
- Melanoma
- A highly malignant type of skin cancer that arises in melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment. Melanoma usually begins in a mole.
- Ultraviolet (UV) radiation
- Invisible rays from the sun. UV radiation can burn the skin and cause melanoma and other types of skin cancer. UV radiation that reaches the earth's surface is made up of two types of rays: UVA and UVB. UVA rays pass deeper into the skin and UVB rays are more likely to cause sunburn. Both kinds of radiation are believed to cause skin cancer and cause premature aging of the skin. People should use sunscreens that block or absorb both kinds of UV radiation.
Manage Side Effects
Don't let treatment side effects get the better of you. Find out how to manage them.
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