How long to wait to shave underarms after a mastectomy and SNB?

if you use a clippers, you can make it short...  i think you don't want to cut it down to the skin in case you get an ingrown hair...  but, after a while, you'll be good to go on regular shaving.  i too was told that i should never use a blade again, even though i had only one node biopsied...  i usually, though, just use the hair clippers....  it's pretty easy, and it gets pretty short... and i never get ingrowns when i do it that way.  dunno if that helps...  my bmx was in feb, and i used the clippers like three ish weeks after.

@momine, do you mean the Veet wax strips or the cream hair remover? How long were you told to wait after surgery before using it?

This is a question I have since last December. I was told to never use a razor again and am still numb under armpit!

Anyway, I tried hair removal cream a while back and it hurt me so badly, will never try that again. I keep seeing the ads for the NoNo which claim to be painless.... does anyone know about that? 

DM13 - Before my DX I tried the NoNo (since then chemo has helped me out with that issue, but I will hopefully be growing ALL hair soon).  I'm not sure that I'd be comfortable using the NoNo on my underarm now.  for me it worked best on smooth areas and I had some minor burn/irritations under my arms with it.  How it works is like a laser that burns away the hair.  You actually do smell burnt hair if you are using it correctly.  It takes awhile for it to work permantly or semi-permantly.  I used it for a few months and although my hair was lighter and thinner I still couldn't go more than a few days without using it.  I'm not sure what I'll end up doing, but I don't think I'll use it.

It's safe to use a "well-maintained" electric shaver. The issue after ANC/SNB is that if you have numb areas, you are more likely to cut yourself with a bladed razor than normal, and, since your lymphatics are compromised, you are more likely to develop an infection, and then possibly lymphedema. 

A plus for me was that since radiation more than half the hair roots were wiped out, and I don't seem to sweat/smell on that side.

I do sometimes break the rules and shave on my axillary clearance side, just cos its quicker, and I hate following rules! My bad.

btw that :-( was a mistype - meant to be a :-)

:-)

I am 3 weeks out from BMX. I had SNB, but I don't have any incisions under my arms. My incision goes around the underside of my nipple and about 2 inches out towards my underarm, so they did the SNB from my mx incision. However, was very sore and still swollen under my arms. My PS ok'd only spray deodorant 1 week after surgery. When I saw her on Tuesday, she told me I could shave very carefully while looking in the mirror to make sure I wasn't cutting anything that was numb.

I was told be careful with waxing in case of infection so I am 8 days from double mastectomy and going to do underarms today as nurse said at least a week out then if hairs grow in before I will use an electric razor(my idea). I am going to forgo bikini waxing to reduce infection and just use Nair a few days before . Not taking chances since waxing opens the skin a bit. I will wash with antibacterial ( dial or hibiclens) 3 days prior . I too love intuition razor and that is what I usually use but they don't want me shaving or at least 3 days prior- so whats the point as I will have stubble. From this point on it will be electric razor which I have never used before . I purchased a special natural deodorant Crystal essence ( not the rock solid too hard) from Bed Bath Beyond that is for breast cancer patients but will wait for clearance before using but won't be using my usual secret. This has safer, natural ingredients . I bought a roll on and pump spray version to see which woks best at time. I hear the armpit area can be changed post surgery but don't plant on using while I have my 4 drains in. SO to answer original question, at least a week before for wax. 3 days before for shaving and not during and after drains are out wait for doc orders. Make sure using clean & new whatever choice. Higher risk of infection. I know its a hairy situation.

Huh, the subject of shaving has never come up with any of my doctors. I even joked about it at my first visit with my PS after surgery and he just chuckled. I think I'll look into getting an electric razor. Any suggestions on brand/type?