Should I shave my mustache off?
Hi,
My severe SD began in mustache several months ago during a very
stressful time for me. I agree with the recent post by Dan that
stress/frustration is a big factor. Lately the SD has been creeping up
to the inside of my nose, and is causing severe burning. Is this
normal for it to creep up into the nose? My big dilemma is: Should I
shave my mustache/beard off to help combat the SD since it really
seems to be concentrating on that area of my body? I hate the thought
of shaving off my mustache. I could live without the beard (though I’d
miss it). I just don’t know what to do. Any advice you could give me
would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
April 26th, 2006 at 12:32 pm
Hey dude,
Trimming your facial hair to be very short may help you clean and
treat your skin. I would hesitate to shave down to the skin, as that’s
likely to irritate your skin more. (Especially wet shaving would.)
I’ve been using a trimmer to keep my facial growth at about 2 days’
length.
April 27th, 2006 at 11:20 am
janesvilledude,
SD is common in people with oily skin and it may also be seen in
people with acne or psoriasis. I have SD and psoriasis and use
nonprescription fragrant free shampoos containing salicylic acid. It
all starts with washing the face, using a non fragrant gently face
wash. While my face is still moist, I use a prescribed ointment.
I’m currently using Clobetasol Propionate Solution and Clobetasol
Propionate Ointment. Both are prescriptions and I use them morning
and at night AS NEEDED; that is, during flare ups, to control SD on
my scalp, around my mustache, nose, ears, knuckles, center of chest
and any other place I see red.
Lacking a prescription, have you tried gently rubbing some white
petrolatum on your T-Zone area and mustache while they are still
damp. You should also comb out your mustache using a mustache comb.
A mustache comb also works for eyebrows.
Dan
April 27th, 2006 at 9:38 pm
I used to get a little redness on the sides of nose back in the mid 90s in
winter time. I Thought it was just dry skin so i would constantly put lotion
on it and eventually it would go away. I think it was seb derm but never
went to a doctor.
in Oct of 2001 i developed what i would call a bad case in my mustache. Went
to doctor and was told it was seb derm. He told me to shave my mustache
because it would help greatly to get rid of it. He gave me a sample anti
fungal cream which did not help after about 5 days. He said i did not give
it long enough to work but gave me a sample steroid cream. Within 4 hours my
skin looked great and perfect the next day and it never came back. I’m not
recommending steroids but it worked for me but i now know after reading here
that my seb derm was very minor.
I have been putting aloe vera on my face always after taking a shower since
then and i have never had any redness since then. I did not start the aloe
as cure but because i don’t like the typical lotions. Don’t know if it’s the
aloe that’s keeping the redness away but i’m not going to stop useing it.
I write this because your situation sounds similar to mine.
I also tried the steroid on a red spot i had on the top of my head. I would
not put a steroid up there cause i think it caused some hair loss on me.
Most has come back but noone likes hair loss. luckly it was just a small
spot.
chris
April 28th, 2006 at 5:46 pm
True, shaving with water only can irritate your skin. I use a non
fragrant facial wash, lathered up, and a clean new razor blade. I’m
against using anything on my face or body that has a fragrance. Yet,
I have used a Rosemary Facial Wash with natural ingredients and
gotten great shaves with no reactions’ (no redness) and my blades
even last longer!
I’ve also used a natural unscented Shampoo by Renna Naturals in
Burbank, Calif., and DHS fragrant free "Clear" Shampoo, from Person
& Covey out of Glendale, Calif., with the same positive results. To
get a great lather, I use a shaving brush and mug.
Regards,
Dan
PS: For new shavers: Wet shaving brush in hot water, shake off
excess water. Add a teaspoon size or less of liquid facial wash or
shampoo in the mug. Then, using an up-down motion, take your brush
and beat the liquid in the mug, until you’ve created a thick foam.
Brush the foam on your face and shave. If your hair is short, right
after you’ve shaved, add the extra foam to your hair with the brush
and follow up with a shower. In any event, make sure to rinse off
the brush and shake out the excess water. If at all possible, air
dry your brush upside down. -DG
May 1st, 2006 at 5:10 am
That would be a yes, at least from my own experience, which tells me
seb derm thrives in facial hair. The less facial hair, the better for
your seb derm.
May 1st, 2006 at 3:19 pm
That’s what I’m doing as well, and as you say it is indeed the very
best way for us to manage our facial hair.