Anyone get laser hair removal before sentinel node biopsy?

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LoveandLightinLA
LoveandLightinLA Member Posts: 80
edited January 2017 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hi ladies,

I have been researching sentinel node biopsy, and I didn't realize you couldn't shave with a razor again. I can imagine it must be very difficult to remove armpit hair after surgery. My sister suggested I get laser hair removal in my armpits before my sentinel node biopsy, so that the whole shaving issue would be less annoying afterward.

Has anyone done that? Please let me know... Thank you!

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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited January 2017

    LoveandLightin, I didn't get laser removal, but wasn't told I couldn't shave with a razor again. I didn't shave for a couple of weeks, and had no feeling on the skin under my arm for awhile (making shaving pretty weird for me), but I shaved no problem. My feeling came back after a year or so. :)

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited January 2017

    I have almost no hair in the armpit after having lumpectomy followed by radiation. On the few occasions that I shave, I do so with a manual razor. You'll want to be careful doing so but I've not injured myself. I'm not sure I'd want to chance irritating that area with laser treatment prior to surgery.

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited January 2017

    Huh? Never heard that before. Like someone upthread posted, I wasn't allowed to shave for a couple weeks but that's all. I had a lot of nerves cut, so I can't feel my armpits. I just have to pay attention when I shave. So far, so good.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited January 2017

    I didn't make any special arrangements for just the SLN biopsies. And since they only took 2 on each side - I was able to continue to shave with a blade.

    But now I have LE, so no, I never shave my underarms with a real razor anymore. Just an electric. Luckily after the chemo & ALND surgery & rads I really don't have anything to shave. Since I have neuropathy along with the LE, I don't shave my legs with a blade anymore either - and there's hair growth for sure there. I know you don't get as close a shave, but I wouldn't take a chance since I have very little feeling. If the LE were to spread or I got cellulitis, it is a nightmare.


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  • LoveandLightinLA
    LoveandLightinLA Member Posts: 80
    edited January 2017

    Thank you all for sharing. I appreciate hearing about all of your experiences! And I agree, probably not a good idea to irritate that area with laser before surgery. I think I'll just leave my armpits alone. :)

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  • PNWBCHgirl
    PNWBCHgirl Member Posts: 115
    edited January 2017

    laser hair removal usually takes a series of treatment to get it all and causes some irritation it may delay your surgeries.

    It would depend on how long the incision, Surgeons technique and scarring as well as how many nodes removed. But I was told ok to shave but never with out a good layer of cream then it shouldn't be a concern. But again each person and each case is different.

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited January 2017

    Maybe it was trauma to that area, but I get hardly any hair there now. Barely need to shave and when I do it is just a swipe at a few hairs. And that's only if I am going sleeveless or in a bathing suit.

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  • LoveandLightinLA
    LoveandLightinLA Member Posts: 80
    edited January 2017

    Thank you so much ladies! It is great to hear all of your experiences. :)

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