The volunteer organization Look Good Feel Better, LGFB, organizes courses in skin care and make-up for women undergoing cancer treatment. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy often affect the skin.
– Then we can contribute with tips to keep the skin feeling as good as possible, says Frida Söderström, who is project manager at the organization.
The participants sit close together in front of deployed mirrors. For many, it is one of the few times they meet others who are going through a similar process as themselves.
– We talk about wigs and which shawl is good. We share what we have learned, says Åsa Lantz, who is one of the participants in the course.
Only women – yet
The organization LGFB started already in 1989 in the USA and came to Sweden 20 years ago. Courses are now offered in twelve cities, from Malmö in the south to Umeå in the north.
So far, only women have been able to participate, but there are plans to expand.
– Depending on interest, we are considering organizing skin care courses for men and young people as well, says Frida Söderström.
“Gives self-esteem”
One of the participants in the academic course is Åsa Lantz. Although she thinks there are risks with appearance fixation, she feels that skin care can be empowering in other ways.
– It gives confidence and self-esteem. You lose so many other things in the middle of your life when you get a cancer diagnosis like this, then it can be nice to feel fresh and energetic when you walk out the door, she says and continues:
– That you are still human like everyone else.
Follow along to the course at Akademiska in the video above.