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Blind and Visually Impaired Community

Full History - 2021 - 02 - 21 - ID#lox1xm
20
Hygiene, any tips and tricks? (self.Blind)
submitted by PaleontologistTrue74
Hello!
This is a bit of a awkward question and my first time posting ever so please bare with me. I have Retinitis pigmentosa Which is a headache to fully explain but long story short its tunnel vision with extra features.
I was wondering if theres any tips, tricks, or quality of life improvements other people have about daily hygiene routines.
Toe/finger nail clipping is the worst of it but even the minor routines like flossing and shaving are irrationally irritating.
Thank you for reading? Do I do that here..?
MostlyBlindGamer 15 points 2y ago
Do it by touch. I understand you're trying to use your "main" sense to get stuff done, but you have others.

As far as shaving, in particular, consider using an electric shaver instead of razors.
Amonwilde 3 points 2y ago
Yes, I shave in the shower. Do it by touch. Make sure the area has a lot of cream or whatever on it as that makes things easier to feel. You'll get the hang of it. It takes maybe 50% longer to shave this way than by sight but you'll also find you do a really close job compared to sighted people.

Never understood toenails, doing it by feel seems intuitive to me. I think just try not looking and after a few mess ups you'll have figured it out. It can take awhile, listen to some music or something.
MostlyBlindGamer 1 points 2y ago
Intuitive, exactly. I guess doing by sight is just as weird to me as doing it by feel is to a sighted person.
80percentaccurate 11 points 2y ago
Consider alternate tools like filing your nails instead of clipping which will give you more control and less fear about cutting yourself. If flossing is tough, have you tried a water pick? It takes a little getting used to, but I have found it much more effective for me. I think shaving sightless for women is easier than men because we just take it all off for the most part. I would imagine shaving a face would be harder. I know a lot of guys that use an electric razor. Tools do matter regardless if you are male or female. I have a friend who would always just use soap as a lather to shave, and a quality shaving cream can make all the difference in feeling where you have shaved and where you haven’t. There are certain things still that people feel more comfortable having someone else do. I know people that don’t want to try painting their own nails so they just pay to have it done. There is no shame in getting a pedicure if that’s what works best for you.
Unlikely-Database-27 2 points 2y ago
Guy here, I'm completely blind and use an electric raiser. Not that I don't like normal ones, its honestly just less work lol no need for cream and what not. But yeah it is safer too. Can't really cut yourself at least not with the ones I use, I have a few that work pretty good.
bradley22 1 points 2y ago
Water picks are awesome! I got one today.
1BlindNinja 7 points 2y ago
Total here, big nail clippers and press in until they push against end of finger/toe then take them slightly back.
Shaving: when I do I use a safety razor. There is less irration(okay I’ve sensitive skin!) also shaving soap and brush. I used to have a goatee, was a pain to keep but can be done. Also shave in the shower, it’s easier 😊
OddRedd 7 points 2y ago
Yes, shaving in the shower is great, no worries about having hairs flying everywhere. There are electric razors that are safe to use with running water.

I chose to have a full beard because I like the look and also am too lazy to do a clean shave. But I also found that it's easy for me to do by touch and feel. I shave my throat and use the lower jaw bones as an orientation. I've started doing this without really thinking about it and since starting to do it in the shower I haven't had visual feedback anyways.

For nails I also recommend clippers and feeling. It takes a little to get used to, but both things can be done with closed eyes which I find kinda relaxing sometimes :).
1BlindNinja 2 points 2y ago
😂 I usually go for a few weeks per year with clean shaven to regrow it. Personally I find shaving a pain as I’m dark and really need to shave twice daily, if going out in the evening, as I’ve a substantial 5o’clock shadow. So I just buzz my beard a few times a week, to keep it neat for work etc
Unlikely-Database-27 1 points 2y ago
Yes I have an electric raiser thats shower safe although I mostly just shave in the shower before actually turning it on lol still keeps the hair contained.
mammothswoon 7 points 2y ago
I am so with you! I have RP too and haven’t shaved in a couple of years because it became too difficult, I just have my barber do it for me when I go for a haircut.

Nail clipping is always really tough too and I don’t think getting them even is likely, but I try to feel my nails first and hope for the best honestly.

I recently made a similar post about housework & advice I got from that was apps like be my eyes, as well as focusing on small areas at a time
siriuslylupin6 3 points 2y ago
I see a lot of people struggle with this stuff a lot of it just takes practice or good kinesthetic senses. I would say the nail clippers you know where it is so feel out how long or short you want nails then cut. Takes practice. Your nails may not be the same length I find cutting them quite short is the easiest to getting them the same length. I don’t have nails right now my nails are as short as possible. At the moment I will allow them to grow out if one or two is longer then others cut a tiny bit off move the edge of it in to the finger nail and cut it.

I am a hairless woman so don’t know about shaving I have nothing to shave off haha! But one would imagine similar.

Gee this is hard to explain honestly. I don’t know haha! A lot of this stuff I can do how do you explain stuff I just do no idea. But I tried with the nail clippers.

The floss you just feel where your teeth is memorize it and stick the floss in there. There’s also these toothpick floss which I found helpful.

A lot of it is literally using kinesthetic feel..
kramwam 3 points 2y ago
Shaving with an electric razor worked well for me, I could do it by touch after one week of practice. No more fogging up mirrors and glasses, cuts on my face, etc.

Now I have a short beard and trim it 2-3x a month, much simpler. Same with hair, I do it by feel, all trimmed at the same length.

Not sure about the flossing... I do it while listening to music or watching a video... why do you need vision for that? There is your tongue and your fingers to do it by touch.
dupersuperduper 2 points 2y ago
You could try filing your nails every week so that they don’t get long enough to need cutting
cumpsterfire 1 points 2y ago
Hair removal cream it smells awful but works and you can then feel for any spots you missed and shave them
EmeraldSunrise4000 1 points 2y ago
Hey, don’t feel embarrassed about posting this kind of thing! I totally get it. My fingernails and toenails, I do it all by touch. I usually put the nail clippers on my finger and constantly keep in contact with the nail that I’m cutting so that I don’t miss anything and so I also don’t accidentally injure myself. It’s a hard one to practice but you’ll get the hang of it, I used to get so frustrated but I’m pretty confident now! Good luck
bradley22 1 points 2y ago
I’d honestly recommend going to a feet specialist, I don’t know what they’re called, the reason? Because I’ve had in Rome toenails and they’re not fun to be removed.

I cam do it but don’t want to go through that again.
BlueRock956 1 points 2y ago
For shaving, I went to the barber a few times and learned the routine on how they shaved me. I now do it myself, with occasional visits.
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