As a new facilitator for the American Cancer Society’s Look Good…Feel Better program, Carolle Dukes, owner of Olivé Skin Care, enjoys regular opportunities to help other women deal with the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatments. The oncology-certified aesthetician deeply understands just how much women appreciate what she teaches them about how to care for their dry and sensitive skin, as well as how to deal with changes in their skin tone, because she once walked in their shoes.

An aesthetician for five years, Dukes found her calling after leaving behind a 20-year career managing human resources departments for small and large international companies throughout the United States. “All the skills I used in human relations and my education in psychology and human relations weren’t wasted; I get to use them today,” says Dukes, who was diagnosed with throat cancer eight years ago. Dukes’ experience with how cancer affected her skin led her to do extensive research during and after recovery. “Look Good…Feel Better wasn’t around then, and my skin was so dry, cracked and bleeding from my radiation treatments,” she recalls. “I couldn’t use commercial skincare products, so I began to search for what could help soothe and repair my skin.”

While searching online, Dukes found two institutes that offered classes and certification in oncology aesthetics: The Skincare Therapy Institute Corp., whose curriculum is approved by a board of oncologists at Presbyterian Hospital; and the Mórag Currin Method of Oncology Esthetics training, facilitated by Touch for Cancer. Currin is an esthetic educator and the author of Oncology Esthetics: A Practitioner’s Guide.

A year later, Dukes was taking classes from both institutes. “I didn’t want to miss one thing, and I wanted to make sure that I learned about all the natural and chemical-free products that could soothe and repair a woman’s skin; not only during her cancer treatments, but also beyond,” advises Dukes, who found gentle body lotions, cleansers and soap specifically made for cancer patients. She enjoys letting clients know that the manufacturer of the moderately priced product line created it for a best friend she wanted to help. “I believe in the products so much that I buy samples from the company to give my clients and Look Good…Feel Better participants,” enthuses Dukes.

After becoming an aesthetician, Dukes was surprised to discover how much money is wasted on expensive over-the-counter skin care products that don’t live up to their hype and promotion. “My education opened my eyes to commercial products, which contain very few ingredients for the restorative skin care so essential during chemotherapy and radiation,” advises Dukes. “I get an opportunity to educate women about this during Look Good…Feel Better programs. There aren’t words to explain how rewarding it can be to provide comfort and relief for these women, as well as my other clients. I love showing women how simple and self-gratifying it can be to take care of themselves.”

Olivé Skin Care, 4962 Tamiami Trail N., Naples. Call 239-404-1446 or visit CarolleDukes.com.