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Oncology Esthetics Massage
ON-DEMAND WEBINAR
Hands-on adaptations for clients with or at risk of lymphedema are essential, starting with the facial cleanse and continuing throughout the entire skincare treatment. Join us in class to learn how to customize your facial treatments for these oncology clients.
This Oncology Esthetics Massage home-study webinar program offers essential hands-on information for estheticians to safely provide therapeutic facial services to clients with a history of cancer treatment, especially those who have or are at risk of developing lymphedema.
An optional live virtual practicum is available upon successful completion of the webinar. Details below.
Oncology esthetics stands as a specialized field within esthetics. With the objective of improving quality of life and skin health, this niche requires advanced education and training to safely meet the unique and changing needs of clients affected by cancer.
In 2024, the Society for Oncology Esthetics determined that an oncology-trained esthetician’s skill set should include:
• A thorough consultation to determine the client’s current health status and service goals and preferences.
• Providing a skin care service that includes face, neck, shoulder, and décolleté massage and may include scalp, hand/arm, foot/leg, and back massage.
• Personalized skin care recommendations.
• Collaboration with allied healthcare professionals.
Massage is defined as the movement, rubbing and kneading of skin and tissue and during a typical facial treatment massage applications start with the double cleanse and continue throughout the skin care treatment.
A typical skin care service includes massage and massage-type applications for the face, neck, shoulders, and décolleté, and depending on the estheticians licensed scope of practice in their state, may also include scalp, hand/arm, foot, and back massage.
Lymphedema is a common side effect of cancer treatments such as radiation, surgery and lymph node biopsy, and is a lifetime risk regardless of how far out of treatment the client is.
- 20-25% of breast cancer survivors develop lymphedema
- 40% of breast cancer survivors are at risk of developing lymphedema
- 80+% of oncology spa clients are breast cancer survivors
- lymphedema and lymphedema risk not only affect the arm but also affect a body quadrant for many breast cancer survivors
- lymhedema also occurs as a result of the medical treatment of other cancers such as melanoma, colorectal, prostate, ovarian and head/neck cancers
This program is designed for estheticians who want to learn how to safely adapt the hands-on components of a facial – such as cleansing, massage, and product removal – for oncology clients at risk of or managing mild to moderate, well-controlled lymphedema.
This knowledge is critically important for working with a significant percentage of breast cancer survivors and those diagnosed with other types of cancers that have impacted the lymphatic system.
Would you like supervised practice and feedback as you build an oncology esthetics niche in your practice? Join us for an interactive Oncology Esthetics Massage Practicum — offered live virtually, or in person depending on your location. This practicum is an optional add-on to the course.
To enroll, you must have completed the Oncology Esthetics Massage home-study webinar within the past 12 months.
During the practicum, participants will:
- Practice oncology facial cleanse and massage modifications in a supervised environment
- Review common scenarios involving oncology clients with lymphedema or at risk of lymphedema
- Learn practical approaches to client and community education that support lymphedema awareness and help grow your practice
During this Oncology Esthetics Massage program learn about
- Design and functions of the lymphatic system
- Lymphedema causes and triggers, and signs and symptoms
- Common ground and differences between edema and lymphedema
- How to customize and safely adapt your facial cleanse and massage for clients who have or are at risk of developing lymphedema
This self-paced home study program gives you the flexibility to complete coursework on your preferred schedule
Course details
Course type: Webinar
Course hours: 6
Course prerequisite: This course is offered to licensed/certified estheticians, cosmetologists, RN and Nurse Aides, and for those who are close to completing their accredited training program.
The information in this webinar is included in the Oncology Foundation program. This webinar is specific to the hands-on facial protocol and body treatment adaptations for oncology clients with or at risk for lymphedema.
The Oncology Foundation program offers a more comprehensive set of skills and knowledge. Participants consistently report that having a solid understanding of the lymphedema curriculum beforehand greatly benefited their experience during the Foundation program. Link here for more information about the Oncology Foundation program.
Approved Provider for Continuing Education
- Society for Oncology Esthetics
- Society for Oncology Massage
- National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
- Board of Registered Nursing, CA
