Shaving can cause problems. Some men who shave develop serious skin conditions. As a result, they may have to see a physician for a shaving waiver. But can you get a shaving waiver completed online without having to go to the doctor's office? The answer is yes.
Men who require a shaving waiver can obtain one online. Video visits with online doctors can provide patients with routine medical care such as exams, treatment, and help with employer medical forms, like shaving waivers.
If you need a shaving waiver, you will want to know how to make an appointment. You may also need to know how much it may cost.
Some employers and training programs, including the military, police, and security, have grooming standards and policies that require men to shave their faces. But shaving may cause scarring, excessive dryness, ingrown hairs, or a condition called pseudofolliculitis barbae that you can read about here.
When shaving causes skin complications, a shaving waiver can protect employees. Employers may refer to a shaving waiver form by different terms, including:
You can read more about shaving waivers in this article.
A shaving waiver must come from a licensed physician. Online doctors who provide telemedicine services can provide shaving excuse letters for their patients who meet the conditions. Virtual physicians see their patients through a video visit. Then they digitally complete and sign forms required by employers.
There are just a few steps to getting a shaving waiver online.
These five steps are simple and painless. In most cases, men can obtain the online shaving excuse within a couple of days.
A shaving excuse letter or “no-shave waiver” is usually completed as part of a doctor’s visit. If your insurance covers the cost of the doctor visit, then it may be free.
Still, if you do not have insurance or your insurance will not cover the visit, the cost of an online shaving waiver is around $50.
Sometimes men do not have a doctor they see regularly or cannot wait for the next available doctor's appointment. Travel time and cost are also factors when choosing to see a doctor. When it is not possible to get to a doctor near you, the next best thing is a video visit. Many patients are very happy with telemedicine services (seeing a doctor online) because they are convenient and inexpensive.
Through a video visit, the online doctor can see and hear the patient. They can ask and answer questions. Doctors still examine the patient to make a diagnosis. And they can refer patients to a laboratory or outpatient center if any tests are needed. When it comes to shaving excuse forms, whether completed online or in person the paperwork is the same.
But watch out! Patients must be careful about choosing an online doctor. Not all virtual doctors’ offices are the same. Some telehealth services do not schedule you to see a doctor. They may take your information and payment to complete a shaving waiver, but never actually schedule you with a doctor.
We offer live, video visits with real doctors. Our caring experts offer the highest quality service. To get a shaving waiver online from a top board-certified physician, book an appointment now!
Public servants, such as police officers and firefighters, have certain rules when it comes to appearance. Police departments usually have strict grooming standards that officers must follow. Perhaps you want to go to a police academy but you need to know- do police officers have to shave?
Generally speaking, police officers and those in training are required to shave. Individual department policies on facial hair grooming may vary. Yet in most cases, active-duty officers are restricted from growing full beards. Mustaches are allowed under certain conditions.
If you are considering police work and wonder if there are any exceptions, here's what you should know.
Policies about beards on officers in uniform can vary from state to state. Some departments allow facial hair, while many do not.
Most often the requirements for police officers is similar to those of the U.S. military. In other words, part of the uniform includes a clean-shaven face.
Still, there are some exceptions to the rules. In some cases, men may not have to shave their faces. A few examples include:
Typically, a police officer must complete documentation or provide proof to gain exemption from shaving requirements. A "No Shave Waiver" is an example of a medical excuse form that shows why a police officer cannot shave his beard.
Rules about police officers and shaving go back decades. The pandemic has reminded officers and other first responders of one of the reasons for shaving.
Many first responders have to wear fit-tested N-95 masks. For the most part, the masks are not safe if they are worn over a beard. In April 2020, 25 police officers that refused to shave were put on leave for their safety.
Another reason that police officers are required to keep a clean-shaven face is for a professional appearance. On the job, cops want to look neat and respectable. The public could view officers with beards as unkempt.
Appearances and safety are two of the main reasons police officers are required to shave. Still, many disagree with shaving policies. Men can trim and brush their beards to appear clean and tidy. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) even published a guide to facial hairstyles, proving that men can still wear an N-95 mask with some facial hair.
Officers in the police academy or police departments who cannot shave because of a medical condition, such as severe irritation or pseudofolliculitis barbae, should talk with a doctor about getting an exception. A medical form to show employers or organizations why an individual cannot shave is a shaving waiver.
To get a shaving waiver, the easiest and best way to get a shaving waiver is to book an appointment with a telemedicine provider. Online doctors who treat patients through video visits make it convenient to get a shaving waiver quickly.
A telemedicine appointment will include an exam and interview about the problems caused by shaving and a recommendation by a qualified physician. The doctor can then complete the form online and send it digitally to the patient. Thanks to telemedicine, patients can now see a doctor without leaving home.
A licensed healthcare provider is the only one who provides a medical excuse when needed. Police officers or those in the police academy facing strict shaving policies should talk with a doctor about the options. Telemedicine appointments are inexpensive and convenient.
Our caring experts can help answer your skin questions. To meet a top board-certified physician, click to book an appointment today.
Disclaimer: The contents of this article are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. The information, graphics, and images on this site are not intended to substitute diagnosis or treatment by a medical professional. Always seek the advice of a licensed physician for any questions you may have regarding a specific condition.
Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a common skin condition that many adults will face at some point in their lives. With so many people affected, you might wonder how it is diagnosed.
Pseudofolliculitis barbae is typically diagnosed by physical examination by a licensed healthcare provider, such as a doctor or advanced nurse practitioner. Medical tests, including studying skin tissue samples under a microscope in a laboratory, may also aid in the physician’s diagnosis.
So how does a doctor examine pseudofolliculitis barbae? And how can someone find a physician to treat this problem? Read on to find out.
Want to speak to a board certified physician? Book an appointment today!
Anyone who shaves is at risk of developing "shave bumps," "razor bumps," or ingrown hairs. But African American men are affected most. Studies show that todate.com/contents/pseudofolliculitis-barbae#H87492034">between 45% and 83% of African American men who shave will develop pseudofolliculitis barbae. Men of other ethnicities and women too can experience this problem. It most often appears in the face but can also show up under the arms, in the bikini area, or the legs.
Physicians or practitioners can diagnose pseudofolliculitis barbae tologic-disorders/hair-disorders/pseudofolliculitis-barbae#v38068013">by physical examination at a simple doctor's visit. With any physician encounter, the first part of the diagnosis will be an interview.
The doctor will ask the patient questions to figure out what is wrong or what the complaint is. Some common questions a provider might ask when diagnosing pseudofolliculitis barbae are:
In addition to taking a history, the doctor will observe the skin for any changes. Small red to-avoid-bikini-line-bumps-2/">bumps, tenderness, and itching are all signs that could alert the doctor to a possible diagnosis of pseudofolliculitis barbae.
Finding a doctor for pseudofolliculitis barbae is easier than ever. A dermatology or skin specialist referral may not be necessary. Many primary care doctors can diagnose and treat this problem with a quick check-up.
There is also good news for patients who do not have a doctor. When someone doesn't have a doctor or is unsure how to find one, a virtual physician is a great option. Online doctor visits are often less expensive than going to a doctor's office. And in many cases, patients can book them faster. Most virtual physicians offer convenient appointment times, and some even have same-day bookings.
Whether online or in-person, it is best to contact the doctor and ask for an appointment to evaluate a skin condition. Give the doctor as much information as possible. If you think it's pseudofolliculitis barbae, then let the provider know when you book your visit.
A licensed healthcare provider is the only one who can say for sure if a skin rash might be a case of pseudofolliculitis barbae or something more serious. Luckily, an appointment to see a physician can be simple and inexpensive. Relief may be as close as a phone call or video visit today.
Our caring experts can help answer your skin questions. To meet a top board-certified physician, book an appointment today.
Masks have become a permanent accessory for many U.S. workers. Unfortunately, facial hair makes masking difficult. Some workers required to wear personal protective equipment, like respirator masks, find it especially hard. You may even wonder, how can men with full beards wear N95 masks?
An N95 respirator mask is a protective device made to fit tightly against the face to filter 95% of particles from the air entering the nose and mouth. As a result, men with full beards cannot wear N95 masks safely or effectively. Facial hair that comes between the skin and mask edges prevents a tight fit and good seal.
So what can men do if they have facial hair but need respiratory protection? There are options for men in such situations. Read on to find out.
Many jobs require respiratory protection. Here are just a few of the workers that may be required to wear an N95 mask in on-the-job situations.
In many of these jobs, facial hair is not allowed. Therefore, tory?id=69916196" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">some men choose to shave their facial hair.
Unfortunately for some of these workers, going clean-shaven causes problems. Sometimes shaving causes adverse effects.
The face and neck are sensitive parts of the body. Facial shaving may result in some very uncomfortable skin conditions. Problems created by shaving may include folliculitis, painful skin infections, and hyperpigmentation. For men suffering from significant health conditions like these, limiting or even avoiding shaving may be necessary.
A shaving waiver, also known as a shaving profile or “no-shave waiver,” can help individuals with certain conditions. A shaving profile is a medical release or exemption form. The document, completed by a physician, explains why a man should not be required to shave his face due to health concerns.
Shaving waivers allow men to forgo shaving and get the right respiratory protection for them. Men with facial hair do not have to risk inhaling unsafe vapors.
Some respirator masks do not require a face seal. These types are a better option for bearded employees.
Specifically, positive-pressure respirators worn over facial hair or beards work to filter the air. A hood-and-helmet type mask uses continuous airflow to protect employees.
One example that is available to workers is called the Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) mask. This loose-fitting respirator uses a blower to pass air through a filter before sending it to the face. Typically, PAPR masks are lightweight and battery-operated. Also, PAPR masks do not require Fit-Testing.
One drawback is their cost. Most employees would not want to invest in their own PAPR. Those looking for a PAPR respirator can purchase a simple version online for around $100. However, some are upwards of $1000. Batteries and chargers may double the expense.
Although these masks are more costly, they offer superior protection. According to tomerics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this article by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a PAPR mask may offer an Assigned Protection Factor (APF) of 1000, where an N95 respirator only has an APF of 10. The higher the protection factor, the safer it is.
The use of a PAPR mask does require a physician’s medical evaluation. It is a respirator, and therefore OSHA’s requirements to evaluate an employee before requiring the mask applies to this type.
Men with full beards can find respiratory protection that won’t cause health problems or skin conditions. The first step is a medical evaluation by a licensed physician.
Men interested in finding out if a PAPR mask or shaving waiver for their employer would be right for them should talk to a doctor.
My Virtual Physician now offers consultations for shaving waivers in some states. Fill out the contact form below to speak to one of our board-certified physicians about a shaving waiver.
