Dumb Question for Those Who Wear Glasses

Updated on October 18, 2011
M.J. asks from Sacramento, CA
25 answers

I have to switch from contacts (worn them for 25+ years now) to glasses and can't figure out one thing. Go ahead and laugh, because I know this is a dumb question:

What do you do about showering? I can't see up close or distance now, so how exactly am I supposed to shave my legs? The thought of aimlessly wielding a razor around is kind of scary. Do you just wear your glasses in the shower on the days you need to shave? Or just switch to an electric razor and give up on the regular ones?

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So What Happened?

Thanks so much for all of the replies! You're giving me confidence that I can do this and not end up in the ER!

Featured Answers

V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

My vision is in the neighborhood of -4.0 in both eyes. I shave without any correction to my eyes. You learn how. It isn't really that hard. My bigger problem is noticing how grungy I've let the tile in the shower get in between cleanings, because I can't SEE it! Shaving is more a by touch sort of thing... it works together even with the limited sight. I don't run my hands/fingers along the walls/floors of the shower.....lol

3 moms found this helpful
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B.B.

answers from Missoula on

Lol, I guess I mostly shave by Braille. I have been shaving for long enough that I can do it by feel. I guess sometimes I miss a spot, but it works well enough.

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A.L.

answers from Chicago on

I have never been able to do the shower, because I can't see and always leave streaks of hair. I have to take a bath to get it done.

3 moms found this helpful

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✤.J.

answers from Dover on

I shave by feel meaning after each swipe or every few swipes of the razor I just run my hand up & make sure I didn't miss any spots.

8 moms found this helpful
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B..

answers from Dallas on

Hmmm...I never look at my legs when I'm shaving. I just feel my legs and go back over any unshaven parts. You'd be surprised at how routine shaving is. I wouldn't be surprised if you can do it with your eyes closed!

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J.W.

answers from Houston on

Surprisingly there is a good point about having cancer. Everytime I lose my hair because of chemo my other body hair get thinner and thinner.

In my case I only have to shave one or twice a year! lol

7 moms found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Washington DC on

HAHA I just do it in the shower blindly. The only time I have ever knicked myself was when I was 16 and I had my contacts on. Feel your legs after each swipe, you'll get the hang of it.

6 moms found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

you'll get the "feel" for it...all pun intended!

5 moms found this helpful

A.S.

answers from Detroit on

By feel.
I'm blind as a friggen bat.

As I shave a portion, I run my fingers just following the razor and keep doing that all the way around.

Ask a blind woman how she shaves... I'm sure she'd tell you the same.

4 moms found this helpful

H.G.

answers from Dallas on

Im blind as a bat too :) when I shower I just go over the leg with the razor then do a once over with my hand to make sure I got it all. I honestly tried to wear them in the shower but it was foggy!

3 moms found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

shave in the bath rather than the shower, than you can wear your glasses without getting them wet.

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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

I shave by muscle memory/braille. Never sliced my foot off yet, so....you'll figure it out.

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D.S.

answers from Houston on

I put on shaving cream and make all the shaving cream dissapear. that way I know I got it all

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K.L.

answers from Savannah on

I shave my legs all of the time without being able to see. I wouldn't worry too much about cutting yourself (I am assuming that you have been shaving your legs for many years now). I would worry more about missing a spot! When you get out of the shower, put on your glasses and double check that you haven't left a little patch of hair somewhere random on your leg!

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L.R.

answers from Washington DC on

WriterMom, you made my day for asking this. It is not a dumb question especially if you've worn contacts ALL the time including in the shower. It's a perfectly reasonable thing to wonder!

I either shave using the sink (which is quite the stretch but probably good for me somehow) or do it in the shower and do a quick check afterward. You'll be surprised how you'll eventually adjust and be able to tell what's up. In the shower, if you shave in a pattern (as opposed to "aimlessly wielding a razor" -- a great image!) and use a thick cream, you'll find you get most everything done in the shower.

Now, go treat yourself to some truly cool frames!

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M.K.

answers from Kansas City on

I'm blind!!! I just put my legs on the counter and shave before I get in the shower. I hate wearing glasses in the shower!

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S.T.

answers from Denver on

Ha ha! Funny question. The things you never think about. I have contacts and glasses, but when I don't have my contacts in and shower, no I don't wear them in the shower. I've been "legally blind" since I was 8 years old w/out contacts or glasses. I can still see shapes, colors, etc, it's all just really blurry. I just shower by memory. Shave my legs by feeling them I guess, it's all just so second-nature. I've never even thought about it!

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H.J.

answers from Minneapolis on

I wear mine in the shower ever time I take a shower...can't see for anything without them...nobody wants me to shower without them...lol ;)

If the glasses get foggy run them inder the water and shake em off! They get wet in the rain they can handle a shower!!

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S.R.

answers from El Paso on

I pretty much go at it blind, and sometimes I miss a few... :p The other option (which I prefer but don't always have time for) is shaving in the tub. I find I can see better (get close enough) when I am already sitting and don't have to worry about falling over. :) Also, you can wear your glasses in the tub and not have to clean them off every 5 seconds so you can see again. :)

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

.

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J.✰.

answers from San Antonio on

I have pretty bad vision, but can shave my legs pretty well in the shower w/o the glasses. If you really are that poorly sighted, pick out your shampoo before you get in the shower so you know which is shampoo and which is conditioner. Or go ahead and wear the glasses in the shower. A little water won't hurt them (some places have BOGO on glasses, so you could get one plastic pair for the shower and one nice pair for everyday use.) Welcome to glasses!

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R..

answers from Chattanooga on

I am considered legally blind without my glasses, so I definitely feel your pain. What I usually do is to shave my legs before getting in the shower, or I use a shave gel and shave until it's gone. Get a GOOD razor, I have a Venus, so that you are less likely to cut yourself. When I use a cheap razor, I almost always wind up bleeding.

Another thing that really helps me... I keep my shampoo bottle right side up, and my conditioner upside down. That way I don't have to squint at the words. :)

1 mom found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

I use shaving cream. This way I know where I have missed areas.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from New York on

I remember my mom saying one of the best things about contacts was being able to see in the shower. I too had to stop wearing contacts. I guess I'm so used to it, that it's just one of those things you can do blindfolded (ha ha). I usually miss a few spots.

Shave before taking your shower. Lather up with shaving cream - I use water and noxzema, shave and you can rinse off in the shower.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Lake Charles on

I just realized that I must shave by braille as well.. lol. I can't see 10 feet in front of me without my contacts/glasses and mostly when I do have to shave blind it means I just took out my contacts or left my glasses off so my eyes have NOT adjusted, therefore I can't see anything close or far... Weird enough, even with my contacts in, I fix my hair with my eyes closed (yes this sounds insane!) I use a straighter and go by feel.. of course I double check in the mirror but for some reason I always close my eyes while I'm straightening, yes, now I think I'm a weirdo...

1 mom found this helpful
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