Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Guest Post: The Healing Effects of Beauty

a Guest Post by Blogger Jackie Clark

One of the most significant psychological effects of cancer diagnoses and subsequent treatment on women is the sense of a loss of control.   The process of cancer recovery can involve the loss of self-esteem as well as depression.

As women, we all know that when we look good, it gives our mood a boost.   This can be especially important for those diagnosed with cancer.

The skin is one of the organs most affected by cancer and the treatments involved to cure it. One common side effect of  mesothelioma cancer is increased skin sensitivity.  During this time, it's important to avoid direct sun exposure and to cleanse your skin with warm water rather than with hot, and to use a gentle cleanser such as Cetaphil.

Eye brightening creams and definition of lashes can make a remarkable difference in how you look.  A good product to try is Eminence organic eye cream for dark circles.  Another product that works well for dark circles and under eye puffiness is One Hundred Percent Pure organic coffee bean eye cream.  It has the added benefit of a pleasant but slight and non-overwhelming coffee aroma.

To define your lashes and help your eyes to stand out, consider using brown mascara rather than a harsh black one.  Or, if you've got green or hazel eyes, a soft plum colored mascara can do wonders to bring out their color.   A good, organic mascara to try is Honeybee Gardens Truly Natural Mascara.  

The skin itself should be kept clean and well hydrated.  While it's important to drink plenty of water, there are foundations that can improve your skin's moisture content.  One of the best products for this that I've found is Organic Moisturizing Liquid Foundation by a small company called Nvey Eco. More importantly, while undergoing cancer treatment it is especially important to use organic make up and lotions. Your body has so many harsh chemicals attacking it that the complementing of organic makeup can help a patient both look and feel better.

A well tended and pretty face, coupled with classic, comfortable clothing, should really be included in the treatment that doctors provide for cancer patients, but unfortunately it's often overlooked or considered a superficial aspect of that treatment.   But as more research is done on the healing effects of looking good, health professionals are becoming aware that attention to beauty and fashion can have a significant impact on the prognosis of their patients.

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