Sebaceous cysts - hair removal?

[dazedorconfused]

I've suffered for ages with sebaceous cysts, particularly in armpits. In a recent flair up period I visited my GP was advised not to shave.

So I have stopped shaving and its helped greatly but do want to remove hair - any suggestions of what doesn't antagonise them? I don't have any currently and no open scars at the moment either but scared!

waxing, if you use either creme or a razor the hair is at an angle but waxing the hair comes out in a straight line.

My understanding is that laser hair removal doesn't cause them. In my case, for my bikini line, I got ingrown hairs when I shaved, used hair removal lotion or waxed (even though it's not supposed to give you ingrown hairs, it was the worst for me). A few years ago I had the hair removed by laser and never got a single ingrown hair and haven't had a problem since.

Does it matter do you think if you have scars from previous flair ups - either for waxing (I'm wincing as I write!) or laser?

Can I just ask . . are sebaceous cysts, big spot things in your groin/armpit that you get after a few days of shaving? Really painful, huge nasty things (or have i just admitted to something else?)

They can be! They can sit under the skin like a marble - quite hard and uncomfortable but not necessary sore and go away in their own time.

However they can become inflamed and 'rupture'. Not medical myself but have had many over the years! Once 'open' they can get really nasty esp if in a cosy warm dark crease that isn't opent to the air at all times.

Doctors can prescribe anti biotics for flare ups, and I have a cream that works well. Extreme solution is to have them cut out.

thanks for that. At least I know what they are. Didn't really want to go to GP as I find him the most unsympathetic man in the world whose answer to everything is anti-biotics (which I don't want to take unless absolutely vital). Is the cream an over the counter job?

My doctor gave it to me -it is fucidin I think. Not sure if it can be bought over the counter.

I know, the doctor who told me not to shave my armpits was a german lady - I have to say I mentally jumped to social stereotypes!!

Skip the waxing and move on to laser...it's more expensive, but far less painful and virtually permanent and you don't get ingrown hairs!

Dh had a sebaceous cyst removed last month because it had gotten big and uncomfortable. NHS wouldn't do it for him as it wasn't urgent (you have to wait until it gets infected and explodes), so he paid to have it done here in the usa ($600!!!!).