Battling cancer is, without question, a life-altering experience — physically, mentally, and emotionally. And powerful treatments like chemotherapy can take a significant toll on the body, including changes in appearance, including to hair and skin. When this happens, there are often support and resources that hairstylists and estheticians can offer to help you feel more like yourself.

Nicole Roby, esthetician and senior spa leader at LifeSpa in Oakbrook, Ill., fully understands this experience: She experienced the effects of chemotherapy during her own battle with breast cancer.

“Hair loss was one of the most emotionally challenging parts of my chemotherapy journey,” she says. “It wasn’t just about losing my hair — it felt more like losing myself and my identity.”

Roby was diagnosed with stage 3 metastatic breast cancer in October 2021 and underwent two surgeries later that year. In early 2022, Roby began treatment that included 25 rounds of infusion chemotherapy treatment that went through June; she then underwent 30 rounds of radiation between July and September 2022. Today, she takes an oral chemo medication daily in addition to receiving quarterly infusions due to her stage three diagnosis.

“A majority of what I experienced with my hair and skin during my infusion and radiation treatments was a surprise,” Roby says. “They warn you about some things, but you can never be prepared for those changes fully. Especially as an esthetician, where my skin is my billboard, a big challenge I experienced was skin dehydration, dull and lackluster skin, and hyperpigmentation that wouldn’t budge.”

We asked Roby to share more of her experience around how chemotherapy affected her hair and skin and how she learned to best care for both during and after treatment.

Life Time | How did you feel when you learned your treatment would cause you to lose your hair? Tell us about your initial thoughts and actions.

Nicole Roby | When my oncologist confirmed in January 2022 that I would need to start chemo right away as a life-saving measure, I planned to cut my hair to a short pixie the week after my first chemo session. I felt that was the best way to not get overwhelmed with hair loss. I was told that I would begin to experience hair loss by the second treatment, and that was almost spot on.

When my hair started falling out after my initial “chemo cut,” I made the decision to shave my head, which was both heartbreaking and empowering. I chose to have one of my fellow stylists here at LifeSpa, Georgia Kolovitz, shave my head. She knew how to care for me during this sensitive process after helping her father during his cancer treatment. There is something powerful in facing the mirror bald and deciding you are still you.

I had complete hair loss by my third chemo session and remained bald until the end of my radiation treatments. What I was not prepared for was the physical pain that came with the hair loss. My scalp became extremely sensitive and dry.

LT | Tell us about the regrowth process after treatment — what was that like for you?

NR | I first began to see hair regrowth that October, after my chemo had ended. Regrowth was just as emotional as losing the hair to begin with because my hair came back in soft, fuzzy patches, like how a baby’s hair grows.

And the hair was stick straight! My first thought was, Where are my curls and will they ever come back? My focus during the regrowth period was to protect and care for my scalp so that my hair could continue to grow. Every little strand felt like a small victory. Watching my hair grow again was a reminder of what my body had been through, how resilient it truly is, and what was possible.

LT | What hair-care solutions can help someone dealing with hair regrowth after chemotherapy?

NR | Scalp care is crucial, especially right after chemo when your skin is sensitive. A healthy scalp will grant you healthy hair and how you care for it can determine your outcome during the regrowth process.

I recommend using lightweight shampoos and conditioners to not weigh the hair down; they also provide a great base for the early regrowth stages. Avoid shampoos with sulfates, which can add stress to the hair and scalp.

I massaged my scalp regularly with lightweight serums and oils like the Initialiste Scalp Concentrate and Genesis Serum Fortifiant from Kerastase, which is formulated to help weakened hair, promote growth, boost circulation, and nourish follicles. This also helps ease the tightness of the skin from how dry the scalp can be as a result of the treatments.

As your hair starts to grow back, it’s important to treat it delicately:

• Skip excessive heat styling, harsh brushing, and color services in the early stages to avoid damaging the new hair that’s coming in.
• Give the scalp lots of TLC! Red-light therapy can help stimulate growth and also decrease sensitivity.
• Use a satin or silk pillowcase to reduce friction and ease the, at times, painful growth process that is associated with hair loss. The hair follicles coming in are inflamed and there is cell damage from treatment. As the new hair pushes through an already sensitive scalp, it can result in a painful, tight feeling.

Understand everyone’s regrowth process is different, and that hair texture may change temporarily or permanently. My hair came back stick straight when it used to be curly. After about five months, my curls came back and flourished, and I felt more like myself.

If possible, I’d encourage finding a hairstylist who is experienced working with those who have lost hair during cancer treatment — they can offer support, resources, and suggestions specific to your unique needs.

LT | How did chemotherapy affect your skin? How did you care for it during this period?

NR | Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells in the body, which means it can also affect healthy cells that multiply quickly, including skin cells. My chemo treatment took a major toll on my skin. It became extremely dry, sensitive, and at times, inflamed. I experienced dullness, hyperpigmentation, and a general loss of that “healthy glow,” both during and after treatment. My skin didn’t have its true glow back until six months after radiation.

Hydration became my No. 1 priority. Drinking water and consistently using moisturizing products were key. I collaborated with my doctor on safe skincare products to use.

I am also oncology-certified in esthetics, so I was well versed about how and what to use on my skin. I adopted a minimal, oncology-safe skincare routine with products from Eminence and isClinical. Nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and ceramides helped my skin feel and look better.

[My daily routine includes] a gentle cleanse twice a day with Stone Crop Gel Cleanser from Eminence in the morning and the Cleansing Complex from isClinical in the evening. [I also] add in the Pro-Heal and Hydra-Cool serums from isClinical.

I used the Zents body-care line. This became a primary hydrator for the skin on my body. I felt good about the ingredients and the Unzented option, which is dye-free and scent-free, as it was safe for my sensitive skin.

LT | What tips do you have for caring for the skin after chemotherapy?

NR | As your skin heals after chemo, it’s important to listen to your body as it will often tell you what it needs. For example, if it’s feeling dry, you might need to use products with soothing, hydrating ingredients.
Here are the top things I’d prioritize:

• Never skip SPF. As an esthetician, recommending SPF is my top priority for anyone. But after chemotherapy, I am even more diligent about sun protection. Chemo and post-care medications can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so I always wear SPF 30 or higher, even on cloudy days and when I’m indoors. My preference is a mineral SPF.
• Combat dryness as best as you can. Drink lots of water, consider using a humidifier, and avoid long, hot showers (lukewarm is best) as they can be drying for the skin. Apply your body moisturizer while the skin is still damp from the shower. A combination of a body oil followed by a moisturizing lotion or cream can help lock in hydration.
• Find an experienced esthetician or dermatologist who is well-versed in working with those who have gone through cancer treatment, if possible. They can offer support and resources based on your symptoms and individual skincare needs.

LT | How has going through this process helped you embrace the next phase in your recovery?

NR | This experience shifted the way I see beauty and healing. I’ve learned that recovery isn’t just physical but also emotional, mental, and deeply personal. I no longer have a strong attachment to my hair; I value health over everything.

My hair regrowth marked a turning point for me: It reminded me I was moving forward and healing. My glow also returned, and I enjoy even more the calm that comes with caring for my skin.

Also, cancer was just a part of me and doesn’t define who I am! I have always been a strong-willed person. I have a great family around me and my parents instilled in me that I can be both strong and vulnerable. Cancer doesn’t change who you are. I feel like I’ve lived a few lives, and this is just one big chapter that wasn’t so pretty. But it shows how will and determination can help you overcome the hardest challenges thrown your way.

LT | What advice would you give to someone just starting their post-chemotherapy recovery?

NR | Give yourself grace and know that your body has endured one of the worst types of traumas and it needs time to recover. Ask for help from those who’ve experienced chemo. Find local groups or take advantage of cancer center groups for community.

Don’t be afraid of self-care — you need it and deserve it. You may be uncomfortable in the beginning, but there is a long road ahead and a positive mindset will get you far.

In most cases your hair will grow back, and your skin will glow again. Embrace the now, and enjoy living in this new normal in the most positive way you can. It will keep you going!

Aging well includes your ability to move with confidence, maintain independence, and avoid injuries and pain. At the center of your body’s ability to do all these things, quite literally, is your core.

“Your core is so much more than just ‘abs,’” says Kelly Hegarty, CPT, Dynamic Personal Trainer at Life Time in St. Paul, Minn., with more than 20 years of experience. “The core forms the foundation for nearly every movement we make, and encompasses the muscles of the spine, pelvis, hip joints, and abdomen. These muscles work together to stabilize the trunk, maintain posture, and transfer force between the upper and lower body during just about any movement.

“As we age, core strength becomes even more important as weakness in these muscles can lead to poor posture, back pain, difficulty moving, and increased fall risk,” she adds. “A strong core helps keep the body upright, resilient, and functional. Most importantly, a strong, stable core allows you to safely enjoy the activities you love — like gardening, traveling, or playing with grandchildren — while reducing the fear of falls or injuries.”

To help you keep this entire muscle group strong, Hegarty created the following core-training workout that you can add to your exercise rotation.

“Older adults can benefit from two to four sessions per week of focused core training, in addition to general exercise like walking and strength training,” she says. “These sessions can be short and integrated into your regular workouts — just 10 minutes of targeted core work can make a huge difference.”

1. Glute Bridge

“Although this move primarily focuses on the glutes, strengthening these muscles supports pelvic alignment while also engaging your lower back and abdominals to stabilize your trunk,” Hegarty explains.

• Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet hip width apart on the floor.
• Press through your heels to lift your hips until your shoulders, hips, and knees form a straight line.
• Squeeze your glutes as you lift, then lower slowly.
• Throughout the movement, draw your belly button in and keep your spine in a neutral position (don’t arch to achieve a higher bridge).
• Repeat for 12 to 20 reps.

Note: To progress, hold a dumbbell or kettlebell at the hip with your hands or try a single-leg variation.

2. Bird-Dog

“This exercise is great for cross-body stability — it builds strength in the lower back while engaging your abs and glutes,” says Hegarty. “It also allows you to work on balance and body control in a safe, low-impact position.”

• Start on all fours in a quadruped position with your hands under your shoulders and knees under your hips.
• Extend one arm forward as you send the opposite leg back (for example, bring your right arm forward and left leg back). Keep your hips level and core tight as you avoid arching your back.
• Hold briefly, then switch sides (bring your left arm forward as you bring your right leg back) while keeping your spine neutral and moving your pelvis as little as possible.
• Repeat for 8 to 12 reps on each side.

3. Incline Plank

“This exercise helps build deep abdominal strength while also engaging your shoulders, glutes, and back for full-body stability,” says Hegarty. “Plus, it supports spinal alignment and posture.”

• Stand and face a knee-height bench, box, or chair.
• Place your hands on the edge of the surface, about shoulder width apart. Keeping your shoulders directly over your wrists and arms straight, walk your feet back until you form a straight line from your head to your shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles.
• Keep your lower back flat, engage your core, and pull your shoulders away from your ears.
• Hold this position for one set of 20 seconds to one minute, making sure not to pike or sink your hips.

Note: As you get stronger, you can slowly lower the inclined surface until you reach the floor to do a traditional plank with proper form.

4. Side Plank

“This move targets the obliques, which stabilize the spine and hips and are often neglected in traditional core work,” Hegarty says. “Strengthening these muscles helps build a solid foundation for daily activities like bending, twisting, and carrying.”

• Lie on one side with your forearm on the floor directly under your shoulder and feet stacked on top of each other.
• Keep your bottom knee down as you lift your hips off the floor so your body forms a straight line.
• Hold for one set of 20 seconds to one minute, keeping your core tight, belly button drawn in, and hips lifted.

Note: To make this more challenging, lift your bottom knee off the ground and hold both legs in a straight line. To make it even more challenging, raise your top foot three inches as you hold your plank.

5. Pallof Press

“The Palloff press is a powerful anti-rotation exercise, meaning it teaches the core to resist twisting and builds functional stability for everyday carrying, pushing, lifting,” Hegarty says.

• Anchor a resistance band (or a D handle if using a cable machine) at shoulder height and stand with your left shoulder pointed toward the anchor point and feet at least shoulder width apart.
• Grasp the band with both hands at chest level and step far enough from the anchor point to create light tension on the band.
• Brace your core and then press the band straight away from your chest until your arms are fully extended. With control, return the band to your chest.
• Repeat for 12 to 20 reps.
• Turn your body so your right side is facing the anchor point and repeat for 12 to 20 reps.

6. Dead Bug

“This exercise strengthens the transversus abdominis and engages and builds endurance in your deep spinal stabilizer muscles,” says Hegarty. “It’s great for motor control and overall coordination.”

• Lie on your back and extend your arms and legs into the air: Your arms will be straight over your chest; your knees will be bent at about 90 degrees.
• Keep your head on the floor with your neck in a neutral position.
• Engage your core, drawing your ribs down and pressing your lower back into the floor. Extend one leg to straighten it while dropping the opposite-side arm overhead. Reverse and repeat on the opposite side.
• Actively flex your feet throughout the movement. Do not lower your heels all the way to the floor. Extend and lower your legs only as far as possible without arching your lower back.
• Alternate sides, drawing your knee in only to hip level, not all the way to your chest.
• Repeat for 8 to 12 reps on each side.

Note: To make this more challenging, start with your knees a few inches farther from your chest. To make it less challenging, bring your knees closer to your chest and/or reduce the range of motion of your arms and legs.

The growing availability of health-supportive AI technologies offers much to appreciate, but the developments are not without hidden costs or challenges, like these:

It’s a new tech to regulate.

The rapid application of AI in healthcare is already outpacing the regulations meant to ensure its safety and fairness. Federal agencies were designed to regulate static developments (the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates drugs and medical ­devices, for example), but they may not have the ­expertise or processes in place to evaluate dynamic technologies like the algorithms that are central to AI.

Algorithms are validated on certain training datasets, but many adapt to new inputs after they’ve been deployed, notes pathologist Taofic Mounajjed, MD. In other words, they’re constantly shape-shifting. “How nimble are the regulatory bodies going to be in evaluating them if they’re continuously evolving?” he asks.

Data can be biased.

AI models are often trained on datasets that represent limited, homogeneous populations. In an article in the journal Science, researchers describe how an AI system widely used in U.S. healthcare underestimated the health needs of Black patients compared with white patients who had similar conditions. The training data was based on healthcare spending rather than actual health status, so it reflected systemic racial disparities in access to care.

Data privacy is difficult to maintain.

AI systems collect vast amounts of personal health data, often from wearables, medical records, and even social media interactions. Users may not fully understand how their data is being used, who has access to it, or whether it’s being shared with third parties.

AI has a substantial environmental impact.

Large-scale AI models require massive computational power, contributing to high energy consumption. And data centers that power AI systems require lots of water for cooling: According to one study, a single ChatGPT prompt for a 100-word email uses the approximate equivalent of a standard bottle of water.