Grooming with HS
I’ve had HS for 17 years and grooming my pubic area has always been an issue.
I can’t shave using a traditional razor, hair removal cream or wax. Due to some causing a flare up but also I have scarring. So I use a beard trimmer.
Recently I have got into a relationship and even though there is no pressure or issue from my partner, I feel self conscious on the constant stubble.
Does anyone suffer with the same issue and if so, what do you do? Any recommendations?
Hi Mali. Something that is talked about often is laser treatments. Some people go to an esthetician for hair removal, and it's considered a cosmetic procedure, and it can become quite expensive. However, I actually had my skin treated for HS lesions, and it was covered 100% by my insurance (Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield) because we suffer from a medical condition, NOT a cosmetic condition. The upside is that it also thins out the hair quite a bit because the hair follicles are hit by the laser as well. But the skin doesn't form the lesions as much because one of the two lasers used "aerates" the skin to discourage bacteria from building up. How you and your doctor approach this makes all the difference. We coded it as lesion destruction and it was covered. If you just go to a beauty spa and it's treated as a beauty treatment, it will never be covered and it will cost a lot of money. I actually wrote an article about this (in two parts) and am including a link to the first part so you can read a bit about it. https://hsdisease.com/living/unicorn-doctor thank you for sharing. One of our advocates wrote a bit about this topic: https://hsdisease.com/living/navigate-bedroom, https://hsdisease.com/living/sexuality. We will definitely share this forum with the advocates to see if they can help you. Warmly, Elizabeth (HSdisease.com team member)
