De-fuzzing legs after TKRs

Helenbothknees

Terribly trivial question, I know...

I have naturally rather hairy legs. I usually de-fuzz them using an epilator, which I've used for years. But am I OK doing that soon after TKRs? Or would I be better using something else? Or should I maybe just leave them 'au natural', and start a fashion for scars and hairs? Does anyone know?

stickywicket

I'm in the fortunate position of having non-hairy legs but I'd guess that, until the scar is fully healed, anything that could introduce infection should be avoided. Once it's healed, I'd guess just go carefully and don't go near it.

kathbee

Not a trivial question at all Helen

Me too,
I'm wondering what to do to eradicate the leg hair.
Had them waxed just before the TKR and have asked my daughter to bring her epilator - but now after reading your post, not sure about it .

You have done soooo well having both knees done, I would def not have been brave enough even though they were both showing lots of damage.
Enjoy your birthday treats.

Kath

marrianne

Helen I cant really help re legs ,like Sticky kind of strangely hairless legs under iffy arms etc , but I think definately nothing harsh ,how are your scars , I am useing bio/oil 3weeks since op but wondering if this is wrong hope your haveing a great time today ,Marrianne

pegleg

I (very carefully) shave mine , I'm used to being careful with that shin anyway because of having bolts just under the skin at my ankle and lots of scars below my knee , just go carefully and you should be ok

Helenbothknees

Thanks pegleg. Maybe I'll use my epilator very carefully near the scars, and Kath, if I do then I'll let you know how it goes.

marrianne, I've been recommended bio oil, but I baulked at the price of it, and I've been using Palmers Cocoa Butter which I use already for my tattoos, as after sun, and for all sorts of other things. My scars have healed really well and hardly showed before, but the last couple of days I've been sunbathing a lot and they look a bit light coloured and almost blistered. I've been using sun lotion on them so I don't think they've burned, and they don't hurt or anything, but I'm keeping an eye on them. Maybe it's just that the rest of my legs are now really brown, and scar tissue doesn't tan!

marrianne

Helen ,I havent been in the sun yet because the scar is still very pink ,and useing the bio oil very gingerly as I hate touching the scar , but the sunshine is good and fresh air very healing so I hope all is well and you havent burnt seems ago we need all the vitimin D we can get ,hope you enjoyed your evening ,still up late well watching in the bed ,so sad the close of the olympics its been so wonderful ,Marrianne

pegleg

Be careful in the sun with scars , they burn VERY quickly , I was told never to wax my scarred shin too but not sure about an epilator ?. xx

deedeeitsme

Hi all....yes please be very careful in the sun. I scolded my feet really badly a few years ago and the burns unit nurse told me that I couldn't get my feet out in the sun for "3 summers". My scars do actually turn browner than I tan now and are still a little sensitive in the sun and it's about 8 years since I scolded them so please be careful.

x Dee x

Helenbothknees

Thnk you Dee. I'll keep using the Factor 15 on my knees....if we ever get any sun again anyway.

loovechocolate

Keep those knees out of the sun folks, I have had skin cancer and to quote my dermy there is no such thing as a healthy tan, pale and interesting, seriously keep the knees covered this year, it all has to settle down remember to brown on the top you have bowned below first

Helenbothknees

I know, loovechocolate, but I feel so, so, SO much better after being in the sun for a bit. My ancestors came from warmer climes and I seem to actually need the sun. In the winter I'm always cold, always tired, suffer from mild SAD, just hate it. Anyway, I tan in about 5 minutes, and never burn, at least not in the UK; I have been known to in the tropics. But thank you, and...I'll cut it down a bit....

Actually, I've just remembered... One of the nurses, just before I left hospital in that glorious weather we had a bit back, told me to put on my shorts and get some sun on my knees. She did, honest! Or was she completely clueless?

Helenbothknees

Back to original question...

I just epilated my legs and all seems to be well. It did hurt more than usual, but I've noticed that all my nerve endings seem more sensitive since the op; I got scratched by a cat on the hand this morning and it hurt far more than it should! Apart from that no problem, at least not so far. Actually, on reflection, why should there be - hairs don't grow on scar tissue?

kathbee

I just had a go with my daughter's epilator and I have to say that never having used one before I was very surprised as had expected it to be just dreadful yanking out the hairs from the roots.
I was very cautious around the scar but all in all it felt fine.

Get your legs out girl,
providing I keep the scar out of view I will, i.e. cut off trousers and skirts, scar still looks urrgghhh, dont want to frighten anyone


Kath

elainebadknee

Helen

Re Bio-Oil..aldi does an equivalent think its less than £10?? Just a wee thought..

Elainex

Helenbothknees wrote:

Thanks pegleg. Maybe I'll use my epilator very carefully near the scars, and Kath, if I do then I'll let you know how it goes.

marrianne, I've been recommended bio oil, but I baulked at the price of it, and I've been using Palmers Cocoa Butter which I use already for my tattoos, as after sun, and for all sorts of other things. My scars have healed really well and hardly showed before, but the last couple of days I've been sunbathing a lot and they look a bit light coloured and almost blistered. I've been using sun lotion on them so I don't think they've burned, and they don't hurt or anything, but I'm keeping an eye on them. Maybe it's just that the rest of my legs are now really brown, and scar tissue doesn't tan!

SteveBurns

I have naturally hairy legs as well, (should I really be in this thread) :?

I use Bio oil, it was £8. for a small bottle and its lasting for ages. Just on the scar twice a day. Rubbing it in seems to help as well.

I love the sun and have sat out a few times with no problems. The sunshine is really good for us all, but only what we can take as individuals.

What's an "epilator"?

My hairs are growing back around the knee and are very irritable, I wear shorts and have to fold up the leg as I can't stand anything rubbing against the scar.

The duvet irritates as well.

Helenbothknees

Steve, an epilator is a little electrical gadget which looks a bit like an electric razor and pulls hairs out by the roots. It sounds awful, but actually doesn't hurt that much unless you have very tough leg hair. I have one of the very early ones and I think it's wearing out, so it pulls a bit; but I believe the more recent ones work better and incorporate a kind of freezing action so that it hurts even less; not sure.

Bio oil? Maybe I'll try it, but I like my cocoa butter and actually my scars aren't much of a problem; I wear loose linen trousers most of the time and the scars don't bother me. I'm more bothered by general knee pain and the fact I seem to have pulled something (muscle, tendon, ligament?) in the left one, which is stronger than the right so gets nominated to be 'good knee' when it really isn't. The hazards of a bilateral TKR, I suppose.

Anyway, I just bought some new trainers and they seem to be helping

Yet again, we're all different.

dreamdaisy

An epilator is a device that works by plucking out the hair - think of a row of little tweezers and that's kinda what it's like. When I was on cyclosporin I read somewhere that they should not be used but that didn't affect me as I don't use one.

This must be a problem for you Steve, I can see that. I reckon that getting some tubigrip to wear as a 'sleeve' will stop the rubbing and irritation. It comes in a range of sizes so measure your knee at the widest part and maybe get the next size up: it has the uncomfortable habit of rolling up at its top and bottom and that can dig into the skin which is not pleasant. DD