Beauty and the Battle: What Appearance Means to Cancer Patients

In the life of a cancer survivor, it’s likely that the mirror, once an ordinary object, gains more value. The reflection is more than just an image; it reflects the countless battles they have fought internally and its direct impact on their external appearance. The effects of cancer and its treatment on the body may leave many feeling self-conscious, upset, or sad.

This Cancer Day, we spoke to hairstylist Raja Shaikh, Director of Akreation Salon, Bandra, and tattoo artist Zaheer Chattriwala, Director of Studio Z, about being unexpected allies on this journey. A change in appearance due to cancer and its treatment is natural, but often reduced to vanity. But vanity is a form of self-identity and expression, gaining value when dealing with a diagnosis that robs you of those very markers. Shaikh and Chattriwala, as salon and tattoo artists, have met and empowered patients diagnosed with cancer, transforming more than just physical appearance. 

The connection between physical appearance and mental wellbeing is a testament to the holistic nature of healing during and after treatment. As much as we understand the complexities and agony that medical treatments bring, we must also acknowledge the effects they could have on the mental health of cancer patients.

Cancer patients may have to undergo treatments ranging from chemotherapy to surgeries and radiation, along with medication that can take an emotional and physical toll. These are the possible effects of cancer treatment on hair, skin, and other physical changes some can expect from certain kinds of cancer:

• Lymphedema
• Weight gain/loss
• Scars from surgery
• Changes in sexual functioning
• Surgical modification of body parts
• Loss of muscle mass or muscle weakness
• Hair loss due to chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• Enlargement of breasts in men (gynecomastia)
• Changes in skin from cancers involving the skin

Shaikh has been in the beauty and hair industry for a few decades. He says, “I have seen how physical appearance affects the mental health of my clients. It gets difficult for them to accept themselves after the physical effects of chemo on the body and other medications.” Chattriwala adds, “Clients who want to cover up scars with ink usually approach to hide or beautify and bring about a sense of positivity, a personal statement, or a reminder of their struggles.”

According to the National Library of Medicine, struggles with body image were found across patients diagnosed with cancer and were mostly prevalent in the immediate postoperative and treatment periods. While survivors cope with diagnosis and treatment, society’s ideal image of beauty standards can play an antagonistic role. “I have had clients who have a problem speaking about it; they usually approach me for a consultation by saying that their friend or relative is going through it and needs help. And I have noticed that most of them have a hard time coping with it in the initial phase of their diagnosis or treatment,” says Shaikh, who is an expert in hair treatments and has helped cancer patients cope with the grief of hair loss with his unique hair styling techniques and solutions.

The anxiety and fear of the future can take a toll on cancer patients. The looming uncertainty, the extensive (and expensive) treatment, and their potential side effects create a stressed environment.

Shaikh says, “I’ve noticed something common among my clients who battle cancer. They need a lot of pampering, support, and care. Their emotional state is very fragile. It is not easy for them to gather courage, come to us, and state their problem. Although I have seen a significant change in how clients approach me in the past 10 years, I can still see their uneasiness. 10 years ago, it was extremely difficult for them to come and state their condition and ask for help to enhance their looks. However, now there is more awareness, and people are comparatively a little more confident and comfortable.”

He adds, “I have been working with a client for the past 20 years now, and recently she was diagnosed with cancer. We share a comfortable bond, and she is almost like family, but she didn’t know how to speak to me about this. Her family invited me over for tea, and that is when she felt okay consulting about appearance enhancement. Nonetheless, she is happy with the way she looks now.”

Chattriwala says, “In cancer cases, one should get a tattoo after they have been declared free of cancer. A close friend of mine waited for 5 years to be declared cancer-free and got his tattoos after that. He hasn't stopped to date. Scar tissue can be tricky, depending on the scar. Hence a personal consultation with an artist is always better to discuss all doubts and concerns.”

He adds, “It's always a great uplifting experience. It’s about gaining confidence and vanquishing emotions or fears. Everyone is nervous before and while getting a tattoo, but as it goes on, people ease into it and get excited seeing it come to life. That is common. Sometimes, these tattoos are very personal and carry a lot of emotional weight and meaning, so it's more of a challenge for an artist to deliver a tattoo that does justice to their idea and also provides a level of comfort and trust so that they walk out with a smile.”

The diagnosis of cancer is not just a battle for the individual. It is a collective journey that involves family, friends, and loved ones too. A solid support system plays a crucial role and emerges as a vital cornerstone. What Chattriwala and Shaikh become is an extended family, an unexpected source of strength and confidence and integral in the build-up of identity in a battle that robs them of it.

As cancer patients often grapple with managing intense emotions of fear, anxiety, sadness, guilt and more, a support system that acts like an emotional sanctuary plays a very important role in their healing journey. Open communication with an emotional support circle creates a safe space for them to vent out and feel understood without being ashamed or judged. But it’s not an easy space to navigate for Shaikh and Chattriwala either.

Shaikh says, “Sometimes, after the client leaves the salon, I need to take a breath and calm down. It isn’t easy to see their journey so closely and also be a part of it in some way. I do have some friends in the industry, and whenever we meet, we brainstorm and discuss ways to help them regain their confidence and appearance. We understand the sensitivity of the situation, and we also understand that we are not doctors, but we want to do our very best too.”

Chattriwala says, “Sometimes people do have strong emotional experiences, and the best way to deal with it is to comfort them as a friend. At the end of the day, we are all humans, so we understand and support each other.”

For a journey that is marked with tears, triumphs, grace, and resilience, rediscovering personal wholeness is a victory in itself. It is a journey of vulnerability and self-acceptance through newfound power. Newly gained scars can become strokes in an artwork of survival, the physical changes echo the resilience of the soul, and the journey itself becomes a symphony of self-acceptance.

Medically reviewed by:

Dr Akash Dhuru, Surgical Oncologist