Chemotherapy Nail Treatment | Polybalm Rich Nail Remedy
Polybalm is a natural nail remedy and it's one of the few nail products we've found that has been clinically proven to reduce chemotherapy related nail damage. Polybalm moisturises the skin and prevents drying, splitting and cracking of the nail during chemotherapy treatment.
Polybalm’s nourishing all-natural formula works in harmony with your nails:
- Carefully selected ingredients with an optimal balance to ensure maximum effectiveness, deeply nourishing the nail bed
Polyphenol-rich ingredients: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties that actively fight damage and support healthy nail growth
100% chemical-free: Polybalm nourishes and protects nails without synthetic chemicals, colours, perfumes or preservatives
Each pack contains 2 tubes - one to treat fingernails and one to treat toenails. On average, one pack of Polybalm should last around one month.
Always read the label before use.
Polybalm was designed by an expert panel of oncologists and dermatologists together with cosmetic, biological and natural scientists. The rare plant-based waxes and oils in Polybalm are particularly rich in phytochemical especially the phenolic polyphenols group and contain no potential irritants such as preservatives, colours, parabens, sulphates or petroleum.
How does polybalm work so well:
Antioxidant: The plant based ingredients have anti-oxidative properties which could potentially protect the rapidly proliferating onychocytes from oxidative damage.
Anti-inflammatory: Gaultheria procumbens is particularly high in methyl-salicylate which may reduce an inflammation reaction against the nail bed tissues initiated by the local chemotherapy damage, preventing further structural damage. Tarchonanthus camphoratus, containing phenolic acids, flavonoids and tannins, has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties with potency twice as high as that of indomethacin.
Analgesia: These properties may have reduced disfort via their local analgesic properties.
Anti-bacterial: The essential oils have bactericidal and fungicidal properties which could have protected the nail bed from secondary infection especially if splits or cracks had occurred. Both lavandula officinalis and eucalyptus globulus contain lactones, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids and terpene esters which likewise have anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and bacteriocidal properties.
Properties of the base waxes: The base waxes create a protective barrier for skin which helps it to retain moisture, preventing splitting and cracking of the nail bed which could allow entry of pathogens.
Unlike the standard petroleum-based waxes, they also have bioactive properties of their own:
Olea europaea, predominantly oleic acid, has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has demonstrated, in a randomised laboratory study, to reduce epidermal levels of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine, a marker for DNA damage after animals were exposed to excess sunlight. Theobroma Cacao and Butyrospermun parkii, approved by the FDA for use as natural bases in cosmetics, have anti-oxidant properties via their vitamins E and A content and even after processing, cera alba has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Although there are some overlaps in these properties, by including different plant extracts, each with a range of phytochemicals, it was hypothesised that their different reported modes of action would have a synergistic protective affect.
Polybalm is sold in a pack of 2: 1 tube to be used for the nails on the feet and 1 tube to be used for the nails on the hands in order to avoid any cross contamination.
You only need to massage a small amount of Polybalm around each fingernail and toenail 2-3 times a day for it to be effective throughout your chemotherapy.
Ideally, Polybalm should be used from the beginning of chemotherapy to help prevent nail damage. However, if your treatment has already started, begin using Polybalm right away to support nail repair and protect against further damage.
On average, one pack of Polybalm should last around one month.
Although polybalm has a shelf life of 2 years unopened, we recommend it is used within 8-12 weeks if opened, especially for those on chemotherapy.
TOP TIP: warm up Polybalm before using. Because Polybalm has a wax base, warming the product before use will help it come out of the tube more easily for application. Simply warm the tube in your hands or pocket before applying, or use warm water.
Polybalm contains a blend of:
- Unrefined shea butter (Butyrospermum parkii
- Organic beeswax (Cera alba)
- Extra virgin, cold-pressed olive oil (Olea europaea)
- Organic cocoa seed butter (Theobroma cacao)
- African sage (Tarchonanthus camphoratus)
- Wintergreen leaf (Gaultheria Procumbens)
- Lavender flower (Lavandula Spica)
- Eucalyptus leaf (Eucalyptus Globulus)
Delicately blended: The oils were steam extracted from the plant and then gently blended, avoiding overheating to prevent damage to the phytochemicals.
No artificial preservatives, parabens, sulphates or perfumes.
Polybalm is the only natural remedy to be scientifically designed, prepared and evaluated in a major government back UK randomised controlled trial (RCT). This summary was taken from the study protocol and the presentation at the American Society for clinical Oncology Conference 2017.
Trial Design
Sixty one men and women receiving chemotherapy for breast or prostate cancer at one of Cambridge University’s affiliated Hospitals (Bedford) over a 2 year recruitment period. After written informed consent, they were randomised (50:50) to apply either a simple petroleum based moisturising balm to their nail bed three times a day or the investigational balm now known as Polybalm, named after the trial.
Results:
In all but 1 of the 30 patients in the Polybalm cohort, there was virtually no nail damage compared to more than half suffering significant damage and distress in the placebo group.
Conclusion:
The polyphenol rich essential oils and plant-based waxes in this nail bed balm profoundly reduced chemotherapy related nail damage and improved nail related quality of life compared to a plain petroleum based balm.
For more information on looking after nails, during and after chemotherapy treatment, please take a look at our Guide to nail care during chemotherapy.
"Every chemotherapy patient should be told about this amazing product. Unfortunately I finished my chemotherapy and suffered significant nail damage before resorting to purchasing Polybalm through desperation. I've been using it for about 4 weeks and the improvement in my nails is incredible. My nail beds no longer hurt, the brittleness is vastly reduced and they are thicker, they were so thin and soft they behaved more like skin than nail. I'm so happy and my self confidence has grown because they look so much better. This product isn't cheap but wow, it's a total game changer. Thank you so much!" SW
"I’m nearing the end of chemo, and just wanted to thank you for your excellent product. My nails have remained strong and healthy throughout. A friend recommended I use Polybalm and I am so glad she did. I’m quite vain about my nails, so when feeling pretty ill over the last few months, it’s been great that my nails still look good. Thank you." Sara Jenkins
"I was recommended Polybalm by the excellent Penny Brohn Cancer charity in Bristol, prior to starting neoajuvant cancer for breast cancer. Being a keen gardener who has tried every product in the book to keep my naturally very dry hands and rather brittle nails supple, I was understandably concerned about the additional potential damage to my nails from the chemo. I started using Polybalm just before chemo commenced and with regular use – mostly twice a day for hands, admittedly less often with feet – my nails have remained more or less normal. Have just had cycle 5 of a 7 cycle treatment, FEC finished, now on PTH. I’ve had a LOT of side effects, including a hospital admission for neutropenic sepsis and another for a raised temp but no sepsis. As for the nails, however, there has been a bit of fraying of the skin over the nail bed with ongoing soreness, and the nails are noticeably more brittle, but so far no discolouration or damage. The oncology docs and nursing staff, none of whom were aware of Polybalm, are suitably impressed. I will add that I glove for everything these days: washing up, housework, etc, and triple glove for DIY and gardening using nitrile inner gloves – one set to keep the cream on, the others for protection. I only wash my hands in cold or very cool water (a window cleaner actually recommended it some time ago), never hot. Am also using Udderly Cream, also recommended, for the new and additional problem of dry, sore palms." CH
"I have a friend with advanced cancer struggling with the side effects of breast cancer chemotherapy, including dreadful nails. I was so pleased I could send her some polybalm – her nails are getting better now – it’s so nice to know I have have helped in some way” DH
"I used Polybalm throughout my Chemo. I haven’t lost any nails -they did look stained for a while as though I’d been wearing a dark varnish but overall I’m happy to have kept my nails and they have very nearly grown out and back to normal now. (Last Chemo 9th May) I was also particularly effected by Doxetaxol (nasty skin reactions) so I think without the Polybalm I may have suffered with more nail problems." Beans79
"I used Polybalm throughout my chemo....5 months on I still have my nails....a few ridges at the tip now but nearly there. I found Polybalm easy to use and as far as I can see, very effective. I would recommend." Galligirl
"Bought this to use during chemotherapy to prevent my nails becoming too brittle and fragile. After daily use for 2 months I can say it works – my nails feel hard and the the expected chemo-lines are less than what I expected. I can highly recommend this nail balm and have also told about it to my cancer treatment unit." Polybalm customer
