Right, let's talk about the elephant in the room - or should I say, the hair on your arm.
You've got your new CGM sensor ready to go, but you're looking at your fuzzy placement site thinking this might not end well. Will it stick? Will it fall off in the shower? Valid concerns, and ones that plenty of people have but don't always talk about.
Here's the thing: yes, CGM patches work on hairy skin. But there's definitely a knack to getting it right.
The Hair Problem (It's Real)
Hair creates a buffer between your patch adhesive and actual skin. Think of it like trying to stick a plaster onto a jumper - it might hold for a bit, but it's not exactly secure, is it?
According to Diabetes UK, "For hairy skin, simply shaving the area until it is free from excess hair will help the sensor stay in place." Straightforward advice, but there's more to consider.
The real issue isn't just patches falling off (though that's annoying enough). Hair can actually mess with your readings. Your CGM works by measuring glucose in the fluid around your cells through a tiny wire that sits under your skin. When hair creates gaps under your patch, you might get:
- Sensors peeling off days before they should
- Glucose readings that seem wrong compared to how you feel
- Those frustrating "sensor error" messages
- Irritated skin from adhesive trying to grip through hair
None of which helps with day-to-day diabetes management.
Sorting Out the Hair Situation
You don't need to go completely smooth, but a bit of grooming makes a massive difference.
- The quick fix: Trim hair down to about 2mm in your sensor area. You'll still have stubble, but your adhesive can actually do its job. Takes literally two minutes with decent clippers.
- The thorough approach: Proper shave, but do it a day before you apply your sensor. Shave right before application and your skin gets irritated. Wait 24 hours and you're sorted.
Worth noting - arms are typically the trickiest for hair issues. Your stomach's usually easier to manage. And if you're dealing with kids using alternative sites, hair's rarely the main concern.
Skin Prep That Makes Sense
Once hair's dealt with, skin preparation becomes crucial. Skip the fancy products - here's what actually works:
Start with basics. Wash with soap and water, then dry properly. Sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people rush this step.
If you're naturally oily or use hair products, clean the area with an alcohol wipe. Dexcom specifically mentions avoiding "sites that are irregular, bony and overly hairy" in their guidance.
Skin prep wipes can help too. They make your skin slightly sticky, which improves patch adhesion. Particularly useful after trimming when skin might be sensitive. Research from JDRF shows proper skin prep significantly improves sensor reliability. And seriously - let everything dry completely. Moisture kills adhesion faster than anything.
What Actually Helps (Based on Real Experience)
People ask about hairy skin challenges constantly. These solutions consistently work:
- Extra adhesive support when your usual prep isn't quite enough. Whether that's Dexcom G7 Patches, Dexcom G6 Patches, Freestyle Libre Patches, Medtronic Guardian Patches, or Infusion Set Patches - they fill gaps where hair creates lift points. Same principle applies to pump sites in hairy areas.
- Custom cutting with our Tape Roll when standard shapes don't work around your particular hair patterns.
- Flexibility with our Build Your Own Patch Bundle because everyone's different, and what works brilliantly for your mate might be useless for you.
Options matter. Individual skin and hair vary enormously.
Busting the Myths
- "Hair blocks glucose readings completely" - Not true. Hair affects adhesion, but once your sensor wire's positioned under the skin, glucose measurement works fine.
- "You must be completely hairless" - Rubbish. Strategic trimming usually does the job without going full dolphin.
- "Hairy skin means shorter sensor life" - Only if preparation's inadequate. Do it properly and you'll get full wear time.
- "Shaving always causes problems" - Sometimes, but mainly when you shave immediately before application. Give your skin recovery time.
Bottom Line
Hairy skin doesn't stop reliable CGM use. Your routine just needs slight adjustment.
Most people find some trimming plus decent skin prep gets them where they need to be. The best sensor placement stays secure for its full recommended period while giving readings you can trust.
Whether you prefer minimal maintenance or more thorough preparation, something will work for your situation. Be honest about how much upkeep you're actually willing to do, then choose accordingly.
Your diabetes management should fit your life, not complicate it. Now you know what works instead of crossing your fingers and hoping.
Need help with tricky hair situations? Check out our CGM patches or try our Tape Roll for custom solutions that actually work with your needs.