Underarm waxing after mastectomy and lymph node removal

BringOn2017

Hi Has anyone out there done underarm waxing after mastectomy and sentinel node? I had 4 lymph nodes removed. Thanks.

Lily55

Yes I do it, but only at home with cool strips and then I put antiseptic on immediately afterwards before any kind of moisturising cream. 

BringOn2017

Bumping up. 

Does anyone else have experience of underarm waxing after mastectomy and lymph node removal please? 

How else do you cope with removing underarm hairs?

Dafne

I don't use waxing or razor or cream. My BS was against all of them. I don't blame him, since I lost 2 more lymph nodes during the mastectomy surgery, which under different circumstances could have been saved so my armpit and underarm would not be completely numb now

What I mean is that during the operation the breast surgeon saw my first lymph node enlarged and got worried so he went on removing more. They were all clear, thank God, but they were enlarged due to my previous use of razor and waxing for years. They were sort of inflamed to put it simply.

So now I'm using the Veet Sensitive Precision and it helped a lot. Here you can see a pic of it.

Hope I helped.

BringOn2017

Thank you Lily55 and Dafne. Much appreciated.

I've tried taking a risk and waxed the first time. Though I am thinking of getting the Veet Sensitive Precision. Thanks for the hint.

MTwoman

Well, BringOn2017, nobody ever told me not to, so I have shaved mine for the last 14 years. I had 3 nodes removed. I'm not sure whether it is because it was so long ago (and they do it differently now) or whether it just isn't discussed as often as it should be, but nobody really discussed my increased risk for LE either. They did tell me to be careful about carrying a purse over my right arm, and not to get blood pressure or blood draws on that side, but no more than that. It was weird as all get out when I first started shaving as I couldn't feel a thing. Over time (took years), I've actually gotten most of the feeling back, so not as weird any more. I sort of wonder now if I shouldn't shave them any more. Hmmm.

Kicks

Thanks to Chemo - underarm hair never grew back (UMX side and other side too).. Only about 1/4 'nether area' hair grew back.

tessu

I use an epillator (electric thingy thatpulls the hairs out) right after showering, then apply skin disinfectant, and so far haven't had problems with infection or worsening LE from that. The effect lasts longer than shaving ever did, at least a couple weeks. Seem to have much less underarm hair after chemo and herceptin --- which is just fine with me!