HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

To Shave or Not to Shave

Support Forums
>
Ostomies
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/3/2013 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
For those of us who have hair where the wafer attaches we need to prep the skin so the wafer adheres and doesn’t leak. Shaving can irritate the skin, cause ingrown hairs, nick the stoma, prevent adhesion of the wafer because of the razor’s lubricating strips and lead to panic attacks because of the fear of an accident. My surgeon suggested I stop using a razor and just cut the hair close to the skin. I opted for a battery-powered device that resembles a hedge trimmer but about one-thirtieth the size. They’re for removing ear and nose hair and cost about 15 dollars at Walmart, Kmart or places like those. It’s been three months since I shaved thanks to my physician's advice and my skin is now perfect. At least around the stoma. Hope this is helpful.
Sincerely,
Michael A
Posted 5/4/2013 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
Michael when my husband shaves he puts a clear cap over his stoma to protect it from any kind of accidental nicking....the clear cap is from the top of the can of my hair mousse which is probably the diameter of a quarter.

The cap comes in handy when he is drying around the stoma, when he sprays on the skin barrier prep and if by chance there is any leaking from the stoma while he is doing these steps before applying the wafer it goes into the cap.
Posted 5/4/2013 4:56 AM (GMT 0)
I'm female and don't have this particular problem, but I'm sure some guys on here will greatly appreciate this advice! I never thought of the complications of shaving around the stoma but that definitely sounds like a scary process!
Posted 5/4/2013 5:07 AM (GMT 0)
I shaved the area around the stoma every time I changed a wafer. It really does effect wear time. I get 7 days with a clean shave. I prefer using a blade because it makes the area smooth plus gets rid of all the glue that stick on you after taking off the wafer. I shave after showering in hot water which softens the hair. Never nicked the stoma and I always shave really close to it to get all the hairs. It also helps to dry and smooth the area after showering. I tried an electic shaver first but it didn't give a close enough shave so I switched to the blade.
Posted 5/4/2013 6:36 AM (GMT 0)
I read an ostomy care guide once that suggested using an empty paper towel roll or toilet paper roll as a guard around the stoma while shaving, that always seemed pretty clever to me.
Posted 5/4/2013 7:06 AM (GMT 0)
I don't have a lot of hair around the actual stoma area but I have found that the sure seal covers up some of my girlie hair and it is hard to get that shaved off. It drives me crazy having that hair left! I have to shave everything off my body. I just thought that was what you were supposed to do, it wasn't until i joined here that I realized not everyone shaves it all off
It's difficult to get everything with the bag but I am just careful and get everything the bag or sure seal doesn't cover in the shower. Then I try to cut down what the sure seal covers because I am afraid if I use shaving cream or whatever it will keep the bag from sticking! I just have to deal with that awful hair there :(
Posted 5/4/2013 9:07 AM (GMT 0)
SummerStorm, I use a good but simple Gillette double blade razor in that area in the shower or directly after without using shaving cream during a wafer change and I never had any problems. I don't like using the more expensive 5 blades razors without using shaving product. Worth trying if you can't stand the hair.
Posted 5/4/2013 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
I also read about the toilet paper or paper towel holder too which made me think so I took it the one step further with the clear plastic cap. It is very functional since the one he uses is clear and see through. Most importantly if the stoma decides to output it goes into the cap.

Had I not read that hint I would not have thought of trying this so that hint was great to begin with.
Posted 5/4/2013 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
Mossmi don't you get really bad razor burn without shaving cream? I have a nicer razor that I use in that area, with a different kind of shaving gel, especially for that. And even then I occasionally get some razor bumps.
Posted 5/4/2013 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, I clearly didn't realize that lots of people of both genders shaved around the stoma. It's never been mentioned to me by the ostomy nurses.
Posted 5/4/2013 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
SummerStorm- I don't get razor burn luckily. I already had a process down as I shaved the area pre surgery with a lotion but I didn't want to use it around the stoma in case of leaking issues.

My process now is to shave the surrounding areas first using the lotion. I get all the hair except what's directly around the stoma/wafer. At that point there's not a lot of hair left. I hop in the shower, clean the shaved area and also around the stoma. After drying off, I use a Gillette 'good news' double blade disposable razor to get the hair surrounding the stoma and wafer. I haven't had any razor burn. It actually leaves the area feeling smooth. I think that's because I just do that in a small area around the stoma/wafer. I'm sure I'd get razor burn if I tried shaving the entire area without lotion. You can always try a small spot to test to see if it works for you.
Posted 5/4/2013 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
My husband also shaved around it. He never used anything to cover it up though. He actually had hairs like growing out of the stoma on the outter edges. He would pluck them with tweezers! I thought he was nuts but hr never had a problem. And he just blow dryied everything without covering up George. That was his stomas name. :-). But now that he has had the take down George has been assimilated back to the collective. :D
Posted 5/4/2013 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
Mossimo you use the gillete razor everywhere? I have always used the more expensive ones and would love if a cheaper blade would work! I've always shaved the whole area, so it wasn't the process of shaving the area that was causing me problems, I'm just worried about the small amount of hair the wafer and sure seal cover.
Posted 5/4/2013 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
Lol, this this thread is hilarious. No, I can't use that razor everywhere. I use a Gillette Proglide, it's the one with 5 blades, on the first shave with shaving lotion. I usually have some hair left that it doesn't reach, so I use the cheap twin blade to go over small patches that didn't shave close enough. The twin blade seems to do a better job at getting a real close shave at certain angles. That's why I prefer using it around the stoma area.
Posted 5/5/2013 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
Who knew the stomas would need to get a shave and a haircut regularly. :-)
Posted 5/6/2013 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
I use an electric mustache/beard trimmer. I use FRIAR'S. When I remove the wafer there is no residue and the hair is sticking up ready to be shaved off. No soap, no mess.

Dan
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply