Sarah’s Health Notes: Recovering well after skin cancer treatment
Jo and I both felt this information and advice from medical doctor Dr. Zeluleko Sibanda about recovering from skin cancer treatment was important to bring to your attention. Dr Sibanda, who is also a neuroscientist and regenerative aesthetics doctor at CULTSKIN, particularly addresses the concerns of people with Black and Brown skin.
It’s a common belief that skin cancer is rare in darker skin and indeed the incidence is lower but because changes tend to be less visible, diagnosis tends to be later so outcomes are often worse.
But before we start, we just have to say: the best treatment is always prevention whatever your skin tone. Slap on the SPFs, avoid the midday sun, wear a big hat and large sunnies, get your moles checked and consult your doctor if you’re worried about changes.
Now back to Dr Sibanda….
Key things to know about skin recovery, scarring and rebuilding confidence after skin cancer treatment
One of the biggest misconceptions is that once the cancer is removed, the journey is over. In reality, recovery is often both physical and psychological. Scarring, pigmentary changes and textural differences can persist long after treatment.
This is especially important in patients with darker skin tones, where healing can lead to post inflammatory hyper- or hypopigmentation or keloid scarring, which can be more visually distressing than the initial lesion itself.
The broader issue is that skin cancer is often diagnosed later in black and brown skin tones. This is partly because lesions can present differently and are less visible, but also because there is a lack of representation in medical education and public health imagery. Many people simply don’t see what skin cancer looks like on their skin tone, so they present later, often with more advanced disease.
Ingredients/products to help support recovering skin
Supportive ingredients include ceramides and fatty acids to restore the skin barrier, niacinamide to reduce inflammation and help regulate pigmentation, panthenol and hyaluronic acid to support hydration and healing, and silicone gels or sheets which remain the gold standard for scar modulation. Broad spectrum SPF 50 or higher is essential, particularly to prevent pigmentary complications.
Any to avoid?
In the early phases, it is best to avoid introducing harsh exfoliants such as AHAs/ BHAs or aggressive retinoids too soon, also fragrance-heavy or sensitising products. Overuse of so-called natural remedies may trigger irritation too. The key is timing and sequencing. Introducing actives too early can worsen scarring or pigmentation.
For patients with darker skin, I am more cautious around pigment control, tending to introduce ingredients such as azelaic acid or low-strength retinoids at a later stage.
The most important advice for caring for skin after cancer treatment
Think of your skin as being in a rehabilitation phase. The priority is protection, repair and patience. Rushing into treatments or trying to fix the skin too quickly is one of the most common reasons for poor long-term outcomes, particularly for people of colour.
Points to discuss before treatment
When can the patient return to using their normal skincare routine, and what to do/products to use in the meanwhile.
There is often frustration because patients feel the aesthetic impact was not fully discussed beforehand. The doctor/nurse may not be able to give exact answers but it is worth asking for information and advice about scarring, skin changes, sensitivity and possible recurrence of the cancer.
Darker skins may experience persistent pigmentation changes, uneven skin tone that can last for months or even years, keloid or hypertrophic scarring, and a feeling that the outcome is more noticeable than expected.
Common mistakes after treatment
A cardinal one is skipping SPF, particularly in the UK where UV exposure is often underestimated. There’s a mistaken assumption that darker skin doesn’t need ongoing sun protection: not true. Everyone needs to use a high factor SPF.
Other mistakes include restarting active skincare too early, following social media driven quick fixes and not seeking early follow-up advice from your doctor for pigmentation or scarring.
