Arm Hair Removal Method?

turmericlover

Hi all, I am new to this community and online communities in general. I had a mastectomy on my right side last December and had 21 lymph nodes removed. I have slight lymphedema on my right arm, about 1.3cm. I currently use an electric shaver to remove hair on my underarms, but was wondering what people do for arm hair. I have read online that waxing and chemical removers are not recommended, so I am assuming electric shaving is the only other option (though I'm not very open to that). Please let me know methods you have tried!

Moderators

Hi again tumericlover,

We are sorry you haven't received any responses yet -- we hope our post will "bump" your post into the Active Topics and get some eyes on it and encourage others to weigh in.

In the meantime, you may find this quote helpful from the main Breastcancer.org site's page on Reducing Lymphedema and Flare-Up Risk: Things to Do:

"Try a cream hair-remover (try one labeled for sensitive skin) instead of a traditional razor to remove hair from your underarms. Be sure to test any hair-removing creams on another area of the body first. If you prefer a razor, try an electric version, but still take care to avoid any skin irritation or nicks."

We hope this helps!

--The Mods

cowgal

I actually have very little hair in my affected armpit after going through radiation. I had been using an electric razor under that arm for years and a regular razor on the other armpit. A few weeks ago, I started using an epilator that I was sometimes using on my legs so I didn't have to shave them so much. The epilator so far does not seem to be aggravating my lymphedema.

gb2115

Yeah, so I just don't shave that side. I make sure my armpit is not visible with whatever shirt I am wearing. I have pretty bad luck apparently and am accident prone, so I would probably cut myself and get an infection, lol.

LivinLife

I actually have been using a razor (manual- not electric) on both armpits - incision under both armpits though node removed only on left side. My main issue is I still have a lot of numbness so have to be really careful or I more than irritate the skin. You raise a good question. I have scleroderma and have read electric razors, epilators and the like are contraindicated. I use the latter though in other areas....