Electric razors- recommendations for effective ones

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TMM60
TMM60 Member Posts: 190
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Hello all! I am recently diagnosed and am post op as you can see in my signature block. I'm still waiting for the Oncotype results to know if I will need chemo, but Rad Tx is in my future. I was referred to Lymphadema clinic for measurements and an initial assessment. So far, no sign of lymphadema but have been educated on the preventive measures (including using an electric razor on your arm pits) and increased risk with rad tx.

I scanned the past threads and didn't see any discussion of electric razors- but forgive me if I missed it and feel free to point me in that direction!

I've always used a regular razor and never an electric one- so I've been shopping. Came across a few that look good, but I've seen some negative feedback when it comes to shaving armpits from doing not so good a job to getting hot and burning (yikes! the last thing I need when I'm trying to prevent an injury and triggering lymphadema).

Do any of you have a recommendation?

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  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited January 2013

    TMM, Have you seen this information? http://stepup-speakout.org/How_You_Can_Cope_with_Lymphedema.htm#Shaving_under_our_arms 

    Some of the patient handouts we might receive do say to use electric razors only, but some women in the LE forum have reported horror stories with them (infection). Some find that dusting the pits with baby powder before using an electric razor helps with a closer shave and less irritation. Some prefer to use a good quality safety razor, putting it in the dishwasher after each use. I use a safety razor, but I keep a bottle of Hibiclens in the shower, and I douse the razor before using it, letting it sit for a few minutes as I shower, before using it.  I also use the Hibiclens on the armpits as I shave.  Then rinse the razor with a hard jet of water and let dry.  I'm sure you'll get some additional ideas and perspectives on this topic.  Such an annoying issue to have to deal with!

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  • TMM60
    TMM60 Member Posts: 190
    edited January 2013

    Nice link, thanks for sharing!

    Yes, it truly is an annoying issue. Never thought I'd have to make so many decisions, especially about trivial things like shaving my armpits Tongue Out

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  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited January 2013

    TMM, with sentinel node biopsy, your LE risk is moderate, but it's there (I should know--I had snb / mx with no rads). With rads, the risk goes up a bit. So it's wonderful and somewhat rare that your care team is giving you information about LE risk and sent you for baseline measures. Knowledge is so powerful, and being careful and watchful will help you minimize the risks, plus give you a giant advantage of a very prompt diagnosis if LE rears its ugly head. The earlier it's caught, the easier LE is to treat and control.  The Stepup-Speakout website is a great go-to site for LE knowledge. It's an amazing compilation of accurate and very pragmatic information about LE and what to do about it. 

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  • Natlie38
    Natlie38 Member Posts: 39
    edited February 2013

    Carol57, can you please tell me which safety razor brand do you use? I have only been using normal disposable Schick razors before my mastectomy. Do you think its ok for me to use the 'normal' schick's razors with all the Hibiclens precautions or would you advice safety razor's only?

    Thank you for your time and advice. 

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  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited February 2013

    Nattie, I use Schick Quattro for Women.  I never gave any particular thought to the brand or type of razor, just that I'm dousing it with Hibiclens and cleaning my pit with that, too. The Quattro has a pivoting head, supposedly to move more easily around curves, and I imagine that reduces the chances of a cut.  But--the problem with LE is that you don't need a visible cut to let the nasty germs in; invisible scrapes such as from a razor leave us susceptible to invasion by creepies. So I'm not sure how much it matters what kind of razor, so long as we do what we can to keep the bacteria count down.

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  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited February 2013

    Venus Embrace user here.  Like Carol says, I don't think the brand really matters.  I actually went out and bought a top-rated electric shaver after my ALND, and found that it nicked and burned me worse than my old manual razor ever did.  So I ditched it and went back to my manual razors.  I change the blade pretty frequently and also use antibiotic soap.  I should probably drop it in the dishwasher now and then as well.    

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  • TMM60
    TMM60 Member Posts: 190
    edited February 2013

    Hmm- you'd think they could make a good electric razor for ladies! Oh well, I just use my Gillette Fusion and keep it clean with hibiclens. Thanks Ladies!

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  • Natlie38
    Natlie38 Member Posts: 39
    edited March 2013

    Thanks Carol. I love the idea of Hibiclens, makes so much sense. I guess I'll be sticking to my 'normal' razors and see how it goes. Haven't shaved since mastectomy, didn't need to. chemo was taking care of that part!

    Thanks Nats, TMM for your inputs. 

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