Underarm Electrolysis

hymil

I was wondering about electrolysis, as I have this patch i can't feel properly on the one side, so I can't go back to the razor. It's currently getting a very careful smart snip, but being right handed I can't then get a decent match under my right arm, can't use the scissors leftywise and also absolutely can't coordinate reversing the angles in the mirror. So I was wondering if electrolysis would be a safe alternative, or if there's a significant risk of it causing LE problems?

KS1

Gee - I haven't heard any recommendation for/against, but from what I have heard/read, electrolysis is a pretty big thing.  I'd be very cautious.  (I am "lucky" in this regard because, in addition to taking 22 LNs, the surgeon removed all of the skin, fat, sweat glands etc from the axilla to about 6 cm down the inner aspect the upper arm -- no underarm skin & no sweat glands means no hair or body odor).  -- KS1

Binney4

KS, goodness, you sure are "lucky" -- NOT! Then again, you must be an expert at making lemonade out of the lemons you're handed.

Hymil, that sounds like asking for trouble. Not only the questionable effect of the process itself affecting the tissues in ways that could be damaging, but the fact that pain draws lymph fluid, and that's not at all what you want to do. Have you done a search for "shaving" on this lymphedema board? We've had lots of suggestions of ways to do this safely, even with the numbness and coordination problems.

Let us know what you discover. Hugs,
Binney

Member_of_the_Club

Are you asking about laser hair removal?  Because I've had this on other areas and it causes redness and swelling. so I think it would definitely be a risk.

hymil

Ah. Right. Good thing I asked then, i thought it might be a bit risky, Thank you for the replies. Maybe i will just go natural a bit longer!

Journey

Hymil - Thought I would add this...I was undergoing underarm laser hair removal when I was dx.  I really needed about 2 more treatments but had to stop and focus on BC and surgery.  Anyway, the laser was painful (to me) and felt like repeated rubber band snaps on the skin.  I have sometimes wondered if it had anything to do with my getting LE, but know in reality it didn't.  I would never go back at this point to get those remaining 2 treatments because I know it would not be a good thing for my LE.   Maybe you can look into those creams that remove the hair?

hymil

Thankyou for the advice, Journey. I think i have had enough pain for one year, and i'm doing what I can to avoid developing LE! They have finally decided my swelling - both upper arm and chestwall - is not just fat but only borderline for anything like proper LE (huh? Now i'm confused too...) so I'm just taking it as easy as I can and trying to avoid known risks/exacerbating factors. The exercise and deep breathing does seem to be helping, as does staying out of the heat and having plenty of water.

So far as hair removal goes I'm now having another go with one of those electric clippers - not ideal but better than a jungle!

Binney, I like the idea of us BC survivors/fighters being expert lemonade-makers! You are so right too. Someone at work the other day asked me how I managed to be so positive, she asked how i managed to be such a glass-half-full person [not, glass half-empty = pessimist]. Except that what I heard was "cup-half-full" and my addled brain responded, No,no, it's meant to be "cup just nicely filled to match the other...".. fortunately i didn't actually say it!