Do they hassle you if you don't shave everyday?

[5oProlene]

A question for you guys in residency: Do you ever get hassled for showing up a few days in a row without shaving? I shave about once a week and by the end of the week I basically have what could be called a semi-grown beard as my facial hair grows rapidly. I hate shaving, but I don't want a beard either---That is why I shave about once a week to prevent a full beard.

So far the patients during 3rd year haven't said anything, nor have any attendings. But I'm wondering if this will change once I become a resident.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[DoctorDoom]

Depends on the hospital, but we were "reminded" to shave, get haircuts, present a professional appearance, etc.

 

[doc05]

While they may not say anything, you are nonetheless making a very bad impression on your attendings by looking unkempt. A surgery attending told me this specifically (in reference to a couple of the residents on my service). Shaving takes very little time and there is no excuse for an unprofessional appearance.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I agree - it reflects poorly on you - even if no one says anything.

Absolute "bare" minimum - you MUST shave if you are going to be in clinic with patients. You can probably get away with not shaving if its an OR day. Contact with floor patients? Again, I'd shave at least as often as you need to to prevent a "shadow".

Frankly, I shave my legs at LEAST every other day so it can't be that hard to shave your comparatively small face daily.

It probably is program dependent - there are some that don't allow scrubs outside the OR and require ties., etc and some that are more lenient. But I'd favor looking more professional than is "required" it will reflect well on you.

 

[Larry Renal]

I always thought my Don Johnson 5 O'clock shadow made me look very professional. damn, I'm going to miss shaving once a week too.

 

[5oProlene]

Larry, the problem is that I have the Don Johnson 5'oclock shadow happening by noon! No kidding, I have some serious stubble and it comes on fast. And the reason I don't shave often is because my facial hair is very thick and if I start shaving everyday my skin gets very irritated. That is why I'm on the one- shave- a-week program since high school. Anybody know what to do to prevent irritation if you've got to shave everyday??

 

[LuckyMD2b]

My face gets pretty irritated if I shave everyday as well. I only shave every other day now.

I think that you should try to not shave so closely. shave "with the grain" and not against it. This really works well for me.

Also I know some guys who prevented this problem with an electric razor. it doesn't give a good a shave, but it does prevent irrtation.

Good luck,🙂

 

[WatchingWaiting]

Originally posted by LuckyMD2b
My face gets pretty irritated if I shave everyday as well. I only shave every other day now.

I think that you should try to not shave so closely. shave "with the grain" and not against it. This really works well for me.

Also I know some guys who prevented this problem with an electric razor. it doesn't give a good a shave, but it does prevent irrtation.

Good luck,🙂

A close shave is extremely overrated. 30 seconds with a decent electric shaver, and you're good. A "close shave" is like a woman who goes through her closet and tries on all her clothes-- no one in the world notices or cares, so it's pointless on that count-- but gives some kind of internal feeling of worth. A girlfriend could notice the difference, but go pick a random friend and ask him a few consecutive days to ask whether you had an electric shave or a razor shave and see if he can tell the difference after a quick inspection that doesn't involve touching your face. The answer is NO!

 

[samsoccer7]

I get a lot of irritation too. Try Tend Skin. Look it up. It works pretty well for ingrowns. And no, I don't have any stake in the stuff.

 

[shag]

Shadow by noon? Consider hiding an electric razor (cordless is easier) somewhere, and give yourself a quick buzz b/t cases.

Sensitive skin made shaving a dreaded experience for me until I trained myself to use the electric. I started q3 and increased to qd as my skin became accustomed.

 

[gatorAKM]

we should re-title this forum "Facial cosmetology for the surgeon in training."

 

[samsoccer7]

Which electric, shag? 3 circle-type or the screens? What model are you using?

 

[pjr]

I find that if I just show up to work naked every day except for my white coat, no one notices whether I have shaved.

 

[shag]

Screens with a trimmer. Use the trimmer to get the longer hairs... then follow with the screens for that baby smooth finish. I use a remington

 

[Astroman]

Definitely a screen-style electric. I shave every other day and use the electric for maintenance on my "off" days. It's a huge help.

 

[bigdan]

Where does one get Tend Skin?
You may wanna try one of those thingies that gives you a "controlled" beard ... one of those 5 setting things that don't really cut the hair to the level of the skin, but does give you that elusive "well kept" look.

dc

 

[njbmd]

Hi there,
I personally think that a couple day's growth of beard looks pretty good as long as you are well-groomed in other aspects (no body odor, neat haircut, clean socks and underwear etc). You can always say that you are in the process of growing a beard. As long as you don't look like a "street person", a day or two growth of beard is not that bad. Gives one that "rugged look"

njbmd😀

 

[Foxxy Cleopatra]

"Do they hassle you if you don't shave everyday?"

For the ladies, I hope not!

The guys seem to get away with it here as well- we have several with some growth, a few with clean, neatly-trimmed beards, and a wild animal with a bushy beard.

As long as its covered in the OR and they don't stink, no problem!

 

[neutropeniaboy]

Originally posted by Kimberli Cox
Frankly, I shave my legs at LEAST every other day so it can't be that hard to shave your comparatively small face daily.

Have you ever shaved your face?

Be honest: you could potentially "let it all out," Kim, and none of your patients would ever know you didn't shave.

Unfair example.

 

[Goofyone]

Originally posted by 5oProlene
Larry, the problem is that I have the Don Johnson 5'oclock shadow happening by noon! No kidding, I have some serious stubble and it comes on fast. And the reason I don't shave often is because my facial hair is very thick and if I start shaving everyday my skin gets very irritated. That is why I'm on the one- shave- a-week program since high school. Anybody know what to do to prevent irritation if you've got to shave everyday??

I feel your pain. I've also been a once-per-week shaver; now I'm about once every 3 days or so.

I HATE electric razors. Could never get used to them. My face gets really itchy and red afterwards with electrics.

Strange, but I find that shaving in the shower gives me much less irritation. I think it's because my skin gets more time to warm up. I usually wash my face and hair, then shave. I find I can get a closer shave to. I use Nivea (men's) shaving gel for sensitive skin, and the cheapest twin blade razors (Gillette I think) that I can find. The old single blade Bics literally tear my face apart.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Originally posted by neutropeniaboy
Have you ever shaved your face?

Be honest: you could potentially "let it all out," Kim, and none of your patients would ever know you didn't shave.

Unfair example.

Can't say that I've ever shaved my face and I suppose it is unfair in regards to sensitivity. However, I should at least shave up to my mid tibia because patients can see if fur is growing over the cuffs of my socks.

But I'll take my beating...unfair example (but I still say you should shave every day when dealing with patients).

 

[DoctorDoom]

Originally posted by Kimberli Cox
patients can see if fur is growing over the cuffs of my socks.

How can such a disturbing image be so funny at the same time? 🙂

 

[Galaxian]

However, I should at least shave up to my mid tibia because patients can see if fur is growing over the cuffs of my socks.

Disturbing...yes, but one wonders how these patients would be able to see over the cuffs of socks which are at mid tibia height under a pair of scrub pants. Light must defy the laws of physics at this hospital. Then again, I guess if male surgeons wore the mask all the time, then no one could tell whether they've shaved or not!

BTW, I hate shaving too. Sometimes, I wish we could go back to the seventies so I could grow one of those fat beards like in those back-in-the-day chief resident photos in the department office!

 

[Galaxian]

BTW, can anyone suggest an electric razor that cleans up that annoying chin/neck area well?

 

[huktonfonix]

If you don't shave you;ll be stopped at a lot of airports, BTW jumping on SOCOM soon.

 

[Docxter]

I have very coarse and extremely rapidly growing facial hair. I need to shave three times a day to stay "clean-shaven". Of course I don't, but I use a three-head Norelco advantage electric shaver. It works fine and gives a relatively good shave of the chin and neck without too much irritation. I'm quite happy with it.