June 2024: Successful pampering day at Summa Beauty & Lifestyle

Looking at what is possible 

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in the Netherlands. Approximately one in seven women will be diagnosed with this devastating disease in their lifetime. Breast cancer has a huge impact not only physically but also emotionally.  

"During breast cancer treatment, you sometimes need to relax," says teacher Anouk Verstijnen, the driving force behind the event. "I speak from experience that this isn't always easy. For example, I once went to a beauty salon to be truly pampered. This was my moment; to take good care of myself. I was already in the salon when I was told my skin was too delicate and they couldn't give me a beauty treatment. That was a huge disappointment. I don't want this to happen to other women. My experience inspired me to start a pampering day at school, where we don't focus on what's impossible, but rather on what is possible." 

Contact with patients who have or have had breast cancer also demands a lot from our first-year students. Over the past six weeks, they've been prepared with workshops and lessons on how to look at the skin and what it needs. "Chemo has a significant impact on the skin, which often becomes sensitive and thin. That doesn't mean treatment isn't possible, but you have to tailor your products and treatment accordingly. Often, just the contact and touch are comforting. The fact that a mask or peel is applied with care and attention is a huge plus. The students give the gift of a smile," says Anouk.  

Meanwhile, a student carefully applies a face mask. Breast cancer is a personal emotional issue for her. "My grandmother had breast cancer, so I feel emotionally connected to all these women today. I'm mainly trying to think about which treatments would be helpful and where there might be any painful areas I need to be aware of. I also try to put my client at ease by talking and, above all, by listening. I'm curious to hear her stories." 

 

The main goal of the day was to pamper these women, give them a moment of relaxation, and make them feel like true women again. What awaited them today? They could, if desired, enjoy a beauty treatment, cosmetic hand or foot treatment, or a soothing head massage. Makeup was also provided upon request. 

"I absolutely love it," says one woman. "It's been a while since I last had a beauty treatment. I think it's fantastic that Summa organizes this. I'm an ambassador for YvYa, a foundation that primarily aims to raise awareness about breast cancer among young women. That's definitely the message I want to convey to these young women: prevention is the most important!"  

 

Today, 62 women were able to attend Summa Beauty & Lifestyle. The spots were filled in no time, with a waiting list that grew daily. Anouk explains: "We're still looking into what we can do for the women on the waiting list. They'll definitely get priority registration for the next pampering day!"