Waxing on cancer patient also on steroids

[user 24313]

Hi all,
I'm looking for some advice for my gran for facial hair removal.
She has had chemotherapy in the last 6 months which has now finished but she is now on an 'anti cancer' tablet and also steroids every day.
She normally has facial waxing but obviously ive stopped her having this done because of her treatments but she is extremely embaressed about her facial hair which is now growing quicker and in more areas on her face because of the steroids.
Is there any form of hair removal that would be ok to have done whilst on these treatments, i did ask the specialist at the hospital who gave the expected answer about skin thinning and to take precautions with waxing but other than that he didnt really know much else.

Any help would be appreciated!
x

 

[nails for u]

hi i do permanent make up and have alot of clients who seek this treatment for eyebrow simulation etc after chemo i would say ask your client to provide a note from there consultant or gp saying it is safe for them to undergo the treatment then you have covered yourself a bit also make note off this i your client treatment records i have no idea of the contraindications ofw axing at this point off treatment and suppose each patient is different in there requirments i amaware of a drug called accutane which can affect alot of precedures always think a medical opinion is a must in theese situations

 

[Aspire]

Hello there...sorry to hear about your gran...I agree with the last comments... you do need to get medical permission...I guess you must have already thought about this..what about tweezing..try a sample area first and see how it goes. I know that if she is good at looking after her skin there is less likely to be a problem..really the condition of the skin should give you a good indication...again sample area first but not without permission. All you can do is educate your gran about the possible contra-actions of treatment and if you get the go ahead from the meds proceed cautiously.

 

[Velveteen]

Is there any form of hair removal that would be ok to have done whilst on these treatments

One of the first things I would do would be to find out what type of steroid your grandmother is on in addition to the "anti-cancer" drug she is also taking and ask the dermatologist or dermal nurses at the outpatient's clinic as to what course of action they would recommend. Going by what you've stated here, there are contraindications present for waxing.

One the treatments I have successfully carried out in the past for clients in your grandmother's position is IPL. For others who have contraindicated for this, though, I have cut the hair growth using a small razor comb and surgical scissors specifically for this purpose.

My best wishes for your grandmother's recovery. And look after yourself too :Love:

 

[user 24313]

Thanks for all of your replies and best wishes everyone!
I have since received some advice from cancer research who have suggested with her treatments to do a test area with wax and judge it by that.
Her skin is in very good condition considering her treatments so i think that is a bonus.
Will try a test area and see how we get on

Thanks again!

 

[Nail Perfection]

I personally would be wary of waxing, even a small area for test purposes. I don't mean to scare you but my mum has been on steroids for years and her skin is damaged beyond repair. If she bangs anything off her leg, eg. hoover. it rips her fragile skin open and she has to attend hospital to have it glued. And these things happen when she is wearing jeans!

The leg area is more stretched than the face and prone to tearing but her face is also very sensitive. I would just proceed with caution as although you might be able to wax her at first, if she is on steroids long term then the skin will become thinner and thinner. I know you would feel awful if you inflicted an injury on to you poor gran!

I would test patch her with hair removal cream as an alternative in the meantime. :biggrin:

 

[user 24313]

Thanks for that, she hasnt been on the steroids long term and has up until now been shaving the hair on her face but it is starting to come out in a shaving rash!
In the past she has had reactions to hair removal cream so doesnt want to try that incase it happens again.

I'm at a complete loss as to what to do for the best but she literally will not go out of the house at the moment because to be honest the hair on the face is very noticeable, she is a very proud lady!
Tweezing also is not an option, there is far too much on the chin and lip area , i know it would not be comfortable for her.

I dont know what to do :sad:

 

[Velveteen]

I have since received some advice from cancer research who have suggested with her treatments to do a test area with wax and judge it by that.

I would be very surprised if a clinician told you that.

Utilising a razor comb and scissors is not shaving. It's clipping. I never shave the face and, quite frankly, I advocate against waxing the face (but understand that people do do it and are cool with that).

I have to ask: did you not cover contraindications for waxing in class?

 

[user 24313]

Hi
Yes of course i have covered contra indications which is what i have stated regarding the steroids, i was asking for advice on alternative hair removal in this situation.

I understand that clipping and using the razor comb is not shaving, i stated that she has shaved her own face previously in desperation i would certainly not advise this and have advised her to stop doing it.

The advice i got back from the cancer charity may not have been from a clinician but was the other best source to turn to in this situation, hoping they would have come across a similar situation , i'm sure there are other cancer patients who require facial hair removal!

 

[karma-beauty]

Hi,
I mentioned above the possibility of your gran having IPL.
I am trained to carry out Laser, permanant hair removal, but im afraid to say your gran would definately will not be able to have IPL.
Any client who wishes to have laser must not have had any form depilation within a 4 to 6 week period.
Also cancer patients are for sure contra-indicated along with a number of drugs they could be taking.
I trust you wont go to a therapist to enquire about IPL for your gran as it would be tempting for you both as IPL would be perfect for her with the problem she has.
I have heard alot of stories relating to therapists who have been careless and have carried out a treatment on a tanned skin without thinking first and has caused burns to the skin and this can cause seious scaring.
Maybe see how long gran will have to stay on the steroids for.
The facial hair being related to the steroids maybe something the dr could help with.
sorry i cant help more
faye
x

 

[karma-beauty]

Hi,
I mentioned above the possibility of your gran having IPL.
I am trained to carry out Laser, permanant hair removal, but im afraid to say your gran would definately will not be able to have IPL.
Any client who wishes to have laser must not have had any form depilation within a 4 to 6 week period.
Also cancer patients are for sure contra-indicated along with a number of drugs they could be taking.
I trust you wont go to a therapist to enquire about IPL for your gran as it would be tempting for you both as IPL would be perfect for her with the problem she has.
I have heard alot of stories relating to therapists who have been careless and have carried out a treatment on a tanned skin without thinking first and has caused burns to the skin and this can cause seious scaring.
Maybe see how long gran will have to stay on the steroids for.
The facial hair being related to the steroids maybe something the dr could help with.
sorry i cant help more
faye
x

me again!!!
If you do decide to go ahead with the waxing (i hope you dont) be sure to check that she isnt taking the medication warfarin, this prevents clotting therefore thins the blood and people taking this who cut themselves etc will bleed alot.
it may sound far fetched but its good to know that alot has to be taken into account.
faye
xx

 

[user 24313]

Thanks for your reply.

I normally do all of her beauty treatments for her so have been able to advise her on the best course of action so far but this has really stumped me.

I definitely wouldn't let her go to a salon at the moment because i know some therapists who dont always follow the rules when it comes to waxing etc, i've had treatments done myself without even being given a consulation so i know it does happen unfortunately.

I have emailed some various cancer related support charities who offer alternative therapies and beauty treatments to see if they can offer any further advice

Your replies are much appreciated

 

[user 24313]

No she isnt taking warfrin, but thanks anyway

 

[karma-beauty]

No she isnt taking warfrin, but thanks anyway

no problem and good luck.
pm if you need to
x

 

[user 24313]

Thanks so much x

 

[kelly_s]

I can imagine how difficult and frustrating it must be for your gran. I know you said you usually do all your gran's treatments but with the drugs waxing really isn't a viable option at the moment, have you thought about trying to find someone locally who does threading? As long as her consultant agrees that she is ok for treatment then I believe this would be your best option. Its completely natural and doesn't remove or traumatise the skin unlike other methods of hair removal. Might be something worth considering if it is causing you gran that much distress?

 

[user 24313]

Good idea, to be honest i hadnt even thought about threading!
I'll see how she feels about it, she has never had it done before so will have to try and explain it to her! Might show her a video on you tube, will probably be easier than me trying to describe it!

Thanks x