At the time, Elmore was just beginning to tune into the ingredients in skincare products and was worried that the product contained aluminum, which had been, at the time, falsely rumored to increase risk for breast cancer. Elmore didn’t use the cream and ultimately found a local woman who did mastectomy massage for which she used an organic homemade balm. Elmore bought it for everyone she knew. “I wondered, ‘Why isn’t this a thing every woman would use?’” she said. When Elmore’s sister, Lisa, 47, was diagnosed with lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), a non-cancerous breast condition associated with increased risk for breast cancer, three years later, she also became interested in breast health. “My increased risk factor, which included a first-degree relative with breast cancer, ramped up my search to find things I could do to optimize my breast health,” says Lisa. That’s when she got interested in breast massage, balms and oils, and lifestyle changes to minimize her risk. Together, the sisters realized there was a gap in the market of products available for breast health, and sought to change that. The sisters teamed up to launch Complex Creatures, a direct-to-consumer beauty and wellness company that currently offers two products: Deep Reservoir Breast Oil and High Vibe Healing Balm, and will launch more products this year. “The balm is for compromised or delicate skin and support during treatment or post-surgery,” says Elmore. “The oil is designed for everyday breast care and has many benefits — it keeps the tissue healthy, lymph moving, and helps you connect with your body.” Surgery can disrupt the normal flow of lymphatic fluid through the breast area and result in an uncomfortable build up of fluid and swelling. Lymphatic massage is believed to help prevent a build up of these fluids in the breast area. “We refer often to Lisa Levitt Gainsely’s book, The Book of Lymph, but it should be noted that you should consult with a practitioner first if you’ve had a mastectomy, lumpectomy, or any lymph nodes removed to understand the best way to perform lymph massage,” says Elmore. The sisters say they also hope to encourage women to realize there’s no “normal” or “standard” when it comes to breasts. “Neither of us knew our breasts intimately before I had breast cancer,” says Elmore. “And the more we talked to other women, the more we realized how common this is.” Their ultimate goal: to not just provide a good product but also create a movement. “There’s so much specialized care for vaginal wellness, for sex, and for menopause,” says Lundy. “But no one is doing anything for breasts. Our goal is to make breast care an essential part of your self-care routine.”
