Waxing around scar tissue

[pure]

I have a client who comes to me for manicures, tinting etc and today she was asking whether I would be able to wax her underarms. She had a double mastectomy 6 years ago which has left scarring (which I haven't yet seen ) going right up to and across the underarm area. She was signed off from oncology care a year ago so there are no current health concerns and the area is not not painful. She was initially advised to never use depilatory creams or wet shaving on the area to avoid risk to the scar tissue.

I said that when she next comes I will look at the area and depending on the scarring we could wax around it and I couldn't forsee any problems.

What do you think? Personally I don't see the need for a doctors note (a another local salon requested one) because of the age of the scarring and her present good health. Surely it would be the same as waxing around any scar or large mole, avoiding the area and using common sense.

I just want to have some other opinions to see if my thinking is on the right track.

 

[huberella]

The scar is old and healed, so go for it.

 

[kylieb]

I don't see the need for a doctors note for a scar this old. I would probably just apply a bit of petroleum jelly to the scar but to be honest I wax over my scars without a problem (not that I would on a client) so I wouldn't worry if you do accidently catch it xxx

 

[Zo Zo]

I've waxed over many scars, just always with oil and non-strip :hug:

 

[Lynne Baker]

I agree with everyone's posts. I have many old scars - so many that I look like a patchwork quilt! and I wax over them with no problems at all. As Zozo says, use oil after cleansing and use a decent non strip wax like Berins or Perron Rigot.

 

[essentia]

I would go for it like the others have said if you use the right products then it should not be a problem. I have a client who has really lumpy skin from scarring and operations plus she has a blood disorder which can cause other issues. I decided to do it with a few carefully applied test pieces first and took my time. However it went really well and she has booked again. Sometimes it is difficult to make that call but you have gone through everything so trust your judgement. Just make sure she knows her aftercare.:hug:

 

[pure]

Guys thank you SO much - you've really put my mind at rest. :hug: It is so good to just have someone say 'yay' or 'nay' to your thoughts sometimes.

I use Perron Rigot Euroblond with their oil anyway which is also why I felt fairly confident that it would be ok. I gather that the scarring is quite severe but as you said with care and patience and of course good technique all should be fine! :green:

 

[tog]

I would get her to check with her GP, not because of the scarring but because presumably she has no lymph nodes under her arms and so could be more susceptible to infection.

I have had 2 waxing clients over the years who have had breast cancer, and both were advised by their cancer nurses not to wax under the arm on the side of the mastectomy. One was told this in the last couple of years so I know it to be recent advice. It was definitely something to do with the lymph nodes, and I advised the client when she asked me about waxing to consult her specialist first, as I had heard from a previous mastectomy client that she had to be careful. With this previous client I used to wax under one arm and trim the hairs under the other with scissors.

Besides, I think your client would respect you if you got her to consult her doctor, as it shows you are concerned for her well-being.

I don't wish to contradict what others have posted here, but this is just my personal experience with 2 mastectomy clients of mine.

 

[Kim Lawless]

Don't worry, just wax it. I would use hot wax if you can. If you're using strip wax, put the wax on really thin and remove in smaller bits......no reason other than it will make you feel more confident in yourself. xx