Going through chemotherapy is an incredibly difficult and emotional experience for anyone. One of the side effects of chemotherapy is the loss of hair, including eyelashes and eyebrows. As I covered in the skin care article one of the things I really struggled with during my treatment for ovarian cancer was the changes to my appearance. I lost half my hair, bloated from the steroids, lost my eyebrows and eyelashes and saw how the drugs ruined my skin. I am please to report that there is good skin after chemo (with a little help from retinol and collagen supplements) so don't stress yourself out too much about how it looks during treatment.
I really struggled with losing my eyelashes so wanted to share what I learnt during my treatment to hopefully make your life a little easier. Losing eyelashes can be particularly difficult, as they can be a defining feature and help to make us feel confident, beautiful and 'normal'. I didn't use them often but I did apply false eyelashes when I went out for a special occasion and used only eyeliner on a day to day basis (I'll cover this in a later post)
I had never applied false eyelashes before I had chemotherapy so it was a learning curve to say the least and to be honest I was never really great at applying them but this is what I learnt.
When it comes to choosing the best false eyelashes to use during chemotherapy, it is important to consider the materials used in the lashes. Synthetic lashes are a great option as they are typically more durable and hold up better against tears and moisture. They are also less likely to cause any allergic reactions, which is important when you are going through chemotherapy.
If you have lost all of your eyelashes it is harder to apply lashes as there is nothing for the falsies to 'sit' on, but there are a few things you can do to help get better results with false lashes.
Applying false lashes can be a little intimidating at first, but it is something that you will get better with in time. My advice is practice when you don't have an important event to go to. Grab yourself a few pairs to practice with before and see which suit you best. I made the mistake of not testing them beforehand and ended up going to an event with over the top wonky lashes.
First, make sure your eyelids are clean and dry before applying the lashes, you can apply a powder such as eyeshadow or translucent powder. Avoid using any heavy creams or oils on your eyes as this will stop the glue sticking properly.
You can also use a lash glue that is specifically designed for sensitive skin, as it will be more gentle and less likely to irritate your eyes. Another trick you should always do it is to trim the lashes to fit the shape and size of your eyelid, as this will help them stay in place.
When your lashes are trimmed you are ready to apply.
First, apply a thin layer of lash glue along the base of the lashes, making sure to get the ends well-coated. Wait around 30 seconds for the glue to get tacky before carefully placing the lashes along your lash line, starting at the inner corner and working your way out. Press gently on the lashes to make sure they are securely in place, and use a pair of tweezers to adjust them if necessary. I found lash tweezers were helpful here.
If you have a black strip you may need to apply eyeliner to hide this as you won't have your natural lashes to blend it in with.
When you have lost your eyelashes due to chemotherapy, applying false lashes can be a wonderful way to boost your confidence and feel like yourself again.
Losing your hair can be a very emotional experience, but it is important to remember that you are still beautiful, and there are ways to feel confident and beautiful again. Whether you choose to wear false lashes or not, the most important thing is to take care of yourself and remember that you are stronger than you think and are fabulous with or without lashes.
The best eyelashes I found were KISS Looks So Natural. They felt the lightest and looked most like my normal lashes.
I found these Youtube Tutorials useful to get me started, you'll find your own methods but these were a really good starting place for me.
If you find yourself needing to talk to someone after reading this article you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or The Cancer Council on 13 11 20
Top Skin Choices
These are the products I absolutely loved during my cancer treatment.
 | Clinique Even Better Clinical Radical Dark Spot Corrector. I messed up my skin (which you aren't going to do as you will ALWAYS wear sunscreen) and this cleared up the sunspots within a couple of weeks. I highly recommend for reducing blemishes & correcting skin tone and will continue to use it now I'm post chemo. |
 | Eau Thermale Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream helps repair damaged, dry, cracked, and non-oozing skin in 48 hours. Skin is immediately soothed after the first application, and the cutaneous barrier is restored
|
 | Cancer Council Daywear SPF 50+ Light Tint BB Cream As above you are going to wear sunscreen every single day from now on and this is a great option. I apply this after my moisturiser and know I'm heading out with 50+ protection on my delicate facial skin. If I'd been doing this from the start I wouldn't have needed the Clinique! |
Support Resources
Cancer Council Australia
CCA an organisation to support all Australians affected by cancer through support, research and prevention programs.
Ovarian Cancer Australia
OCA is an independent national not-for-profit organisation, supporting women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Our focus is to provide care and support for those affected by ovarian cancer; and represent them by leading change. Our vision is to save lives and ensure no woman with ovarian cancer walks alone.
Breast Cancer Network Australia
BCNA Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is Australia’s leading breast cancer consumer organisation. We have worked tirelessly to ensure that all Australians who are affected by breast cancer receive the very best care, treatment and support.
Bowel Cancer Australia
BCA Peer-to-Peer Support Network connects patient’s and loved ones on a one-to-one buddy basis that enables members to give and receive advice about their bowel cancer experience in an informal and mutually beneficial way.
Leukaemia Foundation
LF is a support service for patients and supporters dealing with blood cancers.
*FU Cancer is supported by its audience. If you choose to purchase through the links on our site we may receive an affiliate commission. This goes towards paying our expenses plus a percentage of our monthly profit goes towards directly helping people with cancer. If you know someone who could do with a boost during their cancer treatment please let us know here.
*FU Cancer is supported by its audience. If you choose to purchase through the links on our site we may receive an affiliate commission. This goes towards paying our expenses plus a percentage of our monthly profit goes towards directly helping people with cancer. If you know someone who could do with a boost during their cancer treatment please let us know here.