"I have stage three ovarian cancer. At this stage, the chemo caused so much stringiness, my awesome hair dresser came to my home and shaved it. One of the side effects is itching. So I thought I should try this. It has given me relief and kept my cap soft and supple. Thank you for creating this product." - Phoenix Mom

A compromised immune system due to radiation or chemotherapy may result in hair loss (alopecia), sensitive scalp, or hair that is brittle and dry. Gentle care and conditioning is very important. Our unique shampoo not only cleanses effectively, it also works as a conditioner, leaving fine hair shiny and healthy looking.

Our Story

Alra, short for “All Radiation”, is a specialty cosmetic line with a 30-year history of providing skin and hair care products for patients to help and relieve the effects of radiation treatments and chemotherapy. The company evolved from personal needs when, in 1987, two close friends were treated for breast cancer and had to undergo radiation and chemotherapy, one in Los Angeles and one in San Francisco.  Neither of their oncologists had a recommendation to soothe the skin irritations, including redness, dermatitis, itching, and dryness they each were experiencing in the treatment area.
 
An experienced European cosmetic chemist and his wife, a Radiation Oncologist at Cedars-Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center, collaborated to create the finest skin care lotion, medically proven to be calming and restorative, with ingredients in high concentrations for efficacy. Alra Therapy Lotion was tested on individuals, then proven safe and effective for cancer patients during and after treatment.  

The positive response to Alra led to the creation of two additional care products, our Non-Metallic Deodorant and the Mild Conditioning Shampoo. The deodorant does not contain any metallic ingredients that could interfere with radiation therapy treatment, while the extra-mild shampoo with rosemary oil and plant-derived aloe vera gel promotes stimulating scalp circulation, hair retention and re-growth for individuals during chemotherapy.

The latest addition to our product range is the All Vegetable Unscented Mild Soap, a moisturizing body wash specifically designed for sensitive, irritated skin.

Just recently, we implemented innovative packaging, an airtight pump container system made in Germany, to avoid using parabens that might irritate skin with special needs. This advanced packaging technology has converted Therapy Lotion to a self-preserving product that has a long shelf life and does not require any harsh preservatives.

We give a portion of our proceeds to various support organizations, such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation™, the Wellness Community, and the American Cancer Society™.

Alra and their team are proud of providing the finest skin care products to help relieve the side effects of cancer treatment, both for women and men. We will continue to keep our products fragrance free, avoid using drying alcohol or other potentially irritating ingredients to create unique, mild products of the highest quality.

Healing Your Skin during Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are challenging treatments for your body, producing many secondary effects. They have a significant impact on your skin, your hair, your nails, and your eyes. While most patients prepare for the common secondary effects (like taking time off to lessen the impact of fatigue) our surveys have found that over two-thirds of patents underestimate the impact of radiotherapy and chemotherapy on their skin, because these patients believe that focusing on skin damage during cancer therapy is superficial.

It is not.

Skin damage that occurs during radiotherapy and chemotherapy has an impact on your quality of life, your self-esteem and how people interact with you. Some of the possible skin changes during or shortly after radiation treatment include: Dryness, itching, swelling, peeling, and redness. As your skin condition is apparent, it can leave you exposed to others’ criticism and judgment. And it can be painful, to the point that some people discontinue treatment.

Your self-esteem is important.

Can you do anything to offset skin and hair damage? Yes! Some creams, with topical corticosteroids or topical anti-inflammatory medicines can reduce radiation burns. These drugs are obtainable via a doctor’s prescription.  There are also a number of over-the-counter products you can use, so ask your radiation therapy team to recommend products that will not irritate the skin or interfere with treatment.

Remember that some products can irritate the skin, as it is more sensitive during radiation. Avoid products with perfumes (which may further irritate your skin) or with metals (such as aluminum, which may interfere with your treatment). Instead, use fragrance-free soaps such as our own AlraSoap, a specifically formulated product. Also:

• Timing is everything: Do not use moisturizers within two hours before your radiation treatment, and don’t apply any skin lotions within four hours of a treatment.
• Bathe or shower only once a day, since soap and water can dry your skin.
• Be gentlewith your skin; use a soft washcloth instead of a loofah, scrubs, brushes, or sponges.
• Pat dry, instead of rubbing.
• Moisturizers work best when applied just after bathing, while the skin is damp.

Most skin reactions occur within the first 2 weeks of treatment, and usually go away 4 to 6 weeks after treatment is finished. So, continue to moisturize the affected area for at least a month after treatments are completed, and then as needed.

Remember

• It’s important to take care of your skin during treatment
• Avoid products with perfumes (which can irritate your skin) or with metals (which can interfere with your treatment).
• Continue to moisturize your skin for at least a month after treatments are completed, and then as needed.

How Do I Choose a Skin Product During Radiotherapy?

Choosing a skin product during treatment can be a daunting task. After all, you don’t want to use a product that will hamper the effectiveness of the treatment, or slow down recovery. As such, it’s important to discuss with your treatment team before starting to use any product on your own.

Our guidelines will help you shortlist the product best for you, which you can then discuss with your treatment team.

Don’t Use

• Products containing alcohol and perfumes, as these may further irritate your skin
• Metallic-based topical products (zinc oxide creams or deodorants with an aluminum base, for instance), since they may increase the dose absorbed by skin
• Starch-based products, as they can increase the risk of infection 
•  

Instead, look for products that were designed specifically for cancer patients, as the ingredients used target inflammation, itching, dryness, and pain.

Remember! Consult your treatment team before starting to use a new product.

What about Sun Exposure during Radiation Therapy?

One common question we get is: What about sun exposure during radiation therapy?  Can I still go to the beach?

In general, the treated area should be kept out of direct sunlight during treatment and up to a year after treatment.  So, during radiation treatment, the best solution is to keep out of the sun. If you do have to go outside:

1. Wear oversized UV-protective clothing to cover the treated area and allow it to breathe;
2. Don’t apply sunscreen on the area during treatment (as sunscreen can directly affect treatment);
3. Avoid chlorine on the skin since it can dry up the treated area very quickly, making your skin reaction worse;
4. After radiation therapy is complete, you can start using sunblock again. Use one that is rated SPF 30 or higher on the treated area, and apply half an hour before going outside; reapply sunblock every few hours as needed.

After your radiation treatment is done, the skin that has been exposed to radiation may be more sensitive to the sun than it was in the past. So when you go out in the sun, remember to protect your skin.