The Kosichenko Oncology Barrier Index (K-OBI): An Evidence-Informed Esthetic Decision-Support Framework for Skin Barrier Screening During Active Cancer Treatment

The Kosichenko Oncology Barrier Index (K-OBI) is an authored, evidence-informed, non-diagnostic esthetic screening and decision-support framework for licensed estheticians working with clients during active or recent cancer treatment. It combines a mandatory Safety Stop screen with five weighted domains: oncology treatment context, client-reported skin comfort, visible barrier findings, home-care and external triggers, and esthetic safety modifiers. The provisional 0–100 caution score routes care toward progressively conservative protocols or Safety Hold. K-OBI does not diagnose disease, grade treatment toxicity, recommend cancer treatment, or replace oncology or dermatology evaluation. Its score weights, thresholds, and protocol pathways require prospective validation.