A chemotherapy cream can be applied directly to the skin to treat non-melanoma skin cancers which are contained in the top layer of the skin. This treatment is applied by the patient and so can be done from home with instruction from a doctor. The cream is applied daily for around 3-4 weeks depending on the location and severity of the lesion and will make the skin sore and inflamed. The cream will have destroyed the cancerous cells and the skin is then left to heal. As only the surface of the skin is affected, you won’t experience the side effects associated with other forms of chemotherapy, such as vomiting or hair loss, however, your skin may feel sore for several weeks afterwards.