The Interplay of Fashion, Clean Beauty and Cancer: Exploring the Voices of Cancer

January 20, 2020

On January 20, 2020, the Global Wellness Institute’s Wellness for Cancer Initiative hosted a Roundtable focused on the Interplay of Fashion, Clean Beauty and Cancer: The Voices of Cancer.

The beauty and cancer landscape is emerging in interesting ways.

With programs and support being offered by brands such as Sephora, Walgreens, and CVS.
To the newly launched HopeMore Spa in Neiman Marcus Dallas.
The refocus of the USA Look Good Feel Better program, traditionally given as workshops in hospitals, is changing, with many hospitals looking for a new solution for their patients.

Just as the 50+ market is going through a rebranding, the image of cancer is going through a major overhaul.

An emerging landscape moving away from medical images that evoke sadness and in which no woman wants to identify…. to utilizing social media to celebrate their femininity and showcase scars, once hidden, but now seen as scars of bravery.

List of Participants:

Julie Bach, GWI Initiative Chair
Karen Ballou, Immunocologie
Melissa Berry, Cancer Fashionista
Cynthia Besteman, Violets are Blue Skin Care
Christine Clinton, International Spa & Salon Services & Christine Clinton Cancer Care
Debra Duneier, EcoChi, LLC
Johnnette du Rand, Greet the Day
Sallie Fraenkel, Mind Body Spirit Network
Sarah Kelly, Salty Girl Beauty
Milana Knowles, Independent Consultant
Becky Kuehn, Oncology Spa Solutions
Patricia Ladis, KIMA Wellness & First 1000 Days of Wellness
Leah Robert, Salty Girl Beauty
Tracey Vincel, KIMA Center for Physiotherapy and Wellness
Caylei Vogelzang, Cancer Wellness Magazine

Listen to this first set of curated Voices, which sets the framework on how the wellness industry can help to reshape the image to one that affords choices in fashion, beauty and travel that align with an individual and their lifestyle.

Julie Bach, GWI Initiative Chair – an introduction to why the Voices of Cancer is important

“Traditionally, people have been “othered” “marginalized” or “grouped” together as a segment called “cancer.” My hope is that everyone listening understands we are supporting individuals who have unique needs and a personal relationship with your wellness brand.

Melissa Berry, Cancer Fashionista – the changing image

A woman wants choices across the board in fashion, beauty and travel that she identifies with and support her wellness lifestyle.
Remember, she is still a woman during this time—she still wants to feel and be treated like a woman.
The images and vernacular of the past are medically oriented and evoke feelings of sadness.

Becky Kuehn, Oncology Spa Solutions – the changing landscape

As an industry, we are not that far along, but we have made significant strides.
Fourteen years ago, doctors and cancer centers did not recognize the role of estheticians and skin care.
Hear how Becky developed a skin-care line, requested by hospitals, that addresses greater access and affordability.

Milana Knowles, Independent Consultant – the greater opportunity

There is space in the spa world to assist clients, and that is a great place to start.
The vast majority of consumers don’t go to spas, but rather they go to the drug store/pharmacy or department store and speak with a beauty advisor or sales consultant. We are already beginning to see movement here.
The largest opportunity is through educating and making the experience more consumer-friendly on a wider mass platform.
Each survivor’s journey is unique; the solution needs to be customized.

Caylei Vogelzang – Founder Cancer Wellness Magazine

We started as a resource guide for individuals.
People are thirsty for information across the board on wellness and wellbeing.
Individuals with cancer or recovering from cancer have the same wanderlust as anyone embarking on wellness travel.