To shave or not to shave.....THAT is the question!!!

Anonymous

I do not (yet) have LE. I'm grateful to you all for sharing your advice and experiences. I'm trying to learn and follow the precautions and then see what happens.



My BMX was a week ago. My right armpit is numb/weird/painful and that is my most at risk side. I had read not to shave with a regular razor due to the risk of nicks/cuts. I tried using my electric razor on Monday. 1) I'm not allowed to lift my arm above shoulder height yet so I couldn't see, and 2) I sure couldn't FEEL what was happening.



That led to FAR less than stellar results. Yuck.



So, I'm really grateful I have fall and winter to figure this out, but how do you all handle this?



Obviously electrolysis and waxing would be out. What about laser hair removal? Is that risky or safe?

pupmom

I eventually started shaving, but very carefully. I look directly in a mirror and make sure I'm not going over a scar or nicking myself. But I haven't had much hair grow come back on my bc side since my surgery almost a year ago. Seems I only need to shave once a month or less. I think the trauma of lymph removal stuns the hair follicles and not much grows anymore. That's my theory at least!

exbrnxgrl

I use both an electric razor, mine works very well (Panasonic wet/dry. Works better wet) and a blade. I make sure the blade is very sharp as it is much easier to cut yourself with a dull blade. I wasn't able to do either well initially but over time it became easier.

Caryn

Angelfalls

In the UK, we're advised to use depilatory creams to avoid all risk of cuts and razor burn. I do shave if I'm in a rush, though!

NatsFan

I've had the same issue of the hair not growing back much in the armpit after chemo, so I also shave my pits maybe every 6-8 weeks.  I do use a razor, but I always make sure to put in a new blade and shave the pits first when the blade is the sharpest.  Caryn - I had terrible luck with the Panasonic wet/dry.  It left me with me with a terrible rash.  Glad it works for you!

Outfield

Not that I'd suggest it to anyone, but radiation took care of that for me.  

New-girl

Why no waxing?  I have had my pits waxed for several years prior to my bmx.  My BS was thrilled I was already doing it and just cautioned to have someone who would not burn me.  Never a problem with my person.  I  just got a free laser hair removal session from my PS.  I wasn't impressed so I won't be spending the money to do the remaining 5 sessions but both waxing and laser were perfectly good options presented to me.  I cannot imagine trying to shave especially now with the concave areas under my arms from my bmx.  Also I am missing 16 nodes putting me at high risk. 

New-girl

Why no waxing?  I have had my pits waxed for several years prior to my bmx.  My BS was thrilled I was already doing it and just cautioned to have someone who would not burn me.  Never a problem with my person.  I  just got a free laser hair removal session from my PS.  I wasn't impressed so I won't be spending the money to do the remaining 5 sessions but both waxing and laser were perfectly good options presented to me.  I cannot imagine trying to shave especially now with the concave areas under my arms from my bmx.  Also I am missing 16 nodes putting me at high risk. 

Anonymous

I assumed no waxing because of a few sites I found online cautioning against the heat and possibility of infection. But those sites pretty much bashed ALL hair removal techniques to some degree. That's why I posted here. I was hoping those with access to LE specialists would have info regarding the safest way to go. My doctor said my risk was so low she wouldn't be referring me to one. What I've learned from reading posts here is that there is a big difference between "low" and "no." Funny, because she told me no needles or BP ever on that side, but I don't have enough risk to go talk to the specialist. I may pursue it anyway.



Thanks for all of the tips! Oh! Years ago I did some laser hair removal. The first visit is never that impressive. It takes a few times, but I had great results from that. If that's safe I would definitely start saving my pennies for it.