Personal Care and Hygiene for Blind Adults

This content is also available in: Español (Spanish)

Maintaining personal hygiene is an essential part of health, confidence, and independence, but vision loss can make everyday routines like brushing teeth, trimming nails, and shaving feel challenging. With the right techniques, adaptive tools, and a few practical strategies, people who are blind or low vision can perform these tasks safely, efficiently, and confidently.

Brushing Your Teeth

Although you’ve likely maintained a good oral hygiene routine throughout your life, adult-onset vision changes can make it challenging to do the “little things” that are the basic components of any toothbrushing routine. Here are some everyday tips and techniques to help apply toothpaste to your brush and keep track of the cap.

Some Adaptations for the Task

Place your free hand over the top of the faucet to serve as a point of reference. This will help you to avoid hitting the faucet or emptying your mouth over it.
Place the toothbrush on a contrasting washcloth for added visibility when dispensing toothpaste.
If you have low vision, use brightly colored or striped toothpaste that contrasts with the toothbrush bristles.

Keeping Track of the Toothpaste Cap

Stand it on end to prevent it from rolling away.
Hold the cap in your hand or keep it in your pocket.
Purchase toothpaste with a hinged cap.
Always try to place the toothpaste cap in a memorable location.

Options for Dispensing Toothpaste

Hold the toothbrush bristles between your index finger and your thumb to serve as a guide for toothpaste application.
Squeeze the toothpaste into your palm and scoop it out with the toothbrush bristles.
Squeeze the toothpaste into a one-ounce medicine cup and scoop it out with the toothbrush bristles.
Squeeze the toothpaste onto your finger and transfer it to your mouth.

Appearance matters, and the care and condition of your fingernails is especially important. Here are some tips and techniques for fingernail care for men and women.

Cleaning, Filing and Cutting Your Fingernails

Clean your fingernails daily with a nail brush, soap, and water.
Use lemon juice and a pumice stone to clean nicotine stains on your fingertips. Use lemon juice daily and pumice once a week.
Always use hand lotion after cleaning your fingernails.
Shorter nails are easier to maintain.
Emery boards and metal files usually have a rougher and a finer side.
The rough side is for quick removal of excess nail length and gross shaping. The finer side is for smoothing and fine shaping.
Metal files also have a tip that can clean under the nail.
One way to maintain a consistent fingernail length is through periodic (twice a week) filing.
Sometimes it can be easier to hold the file stationary and move your finger back and forth instead.
Manicure scissors usually have curved blades for more precise trimming.
To trim nails, nail clippers may be easier for some individuals to use initially.

Cuticle Care Is Important

Use an orange stick and cuticle remover cream.
An orange stick is usually made from wood, has a pointed end for cleaning under the nail, and a flat end for cuticle care. Orange sticks are available in most drugstores.
Scrub your cuticles and fingertips with a nail brush, soap, and water.

A fingernail care brush

Apply cuticle remover cream around the base of each nail.
Push the cuticle back gently on each finger with the flat end of the orange stick or with the fingernail of the opposite hand.

Cuticle cream and an orange stick

Leave the cuticle cream on for three minutes.
Wash the cream off with a nail brush, soap, and water.
Dry your hands and push the cuticle back gently once again, this time with a hand towel or face cloth.
Apply hand lotion afterward.

Please note: Never use nail clippers or scissors to clip your cuticles. Clippers or scissors can cause cuts and breaks in the cuticle or skin at the base of the nail that can become infected.

Nail Polish Selection

Use a nail buffer and buffing cream for a glossy finish.
Store nail polish in the refrigerator. When polish is cool, it is possible to receive feedback during application and feel the coverage on the nail.
Use a base coat, which prevents the nails from yellowing.
Start with clear polish or lighter colors, but note that white-based colors tend to streak.
A clear top coat extends the life of a manicure.

Practice “Preventive Clean Up” Before Applying Nail Polish

Use nail bed protectors for easier clean up. These are available in many beauty supply stores.
Apply Vaseline on the skin and cuticle surrounding each nail. If you accidentally get polish on this area, it will wipe off easily once the polish has dried.

Nail Polish Application

Use a nail polish pen, which is similar to a felt-tip pen, to apply polish.
Stabilize the nail enamel brush with your middle finger while holding the handle of the brush between your thumb and first/index finger.
Three brush strokes are usually sufficient to cover each nail. Make one stroke on the middle of the nail, from the base/cuticle to the tip. Make a second stroke to the right of the middle stroke, and a third to the left of the middle stroke.
Please note: Most nail polish tends to thicken and become more difficult to apply two to three months after opening.

Cleanup Techniques

Trace around the skin and cuticle surrounding the nail with a manicure stick or Q-Tip dipped in polish remover.
Use a nail polish corrector pen, available in most drugstores.

Many people consider shaving a personal grooming task that is potentially dangerous for someone who is blind or has low vision. In everyday practice, however, the skill is not dangerous at all. Many skills and techniques involved in shaving do not rely upon vision and may only require basic safety adaptations and closer attention to tactile feedback.

Preparation for Shaving

Adult shaves their face while nearby child pretends to do the same

Using your sense of touch, you can determine the areas that require shaving (such as your face, legs, or underarms) or the location of a nick or scratch.
See Maximizing All of Your Senses for information and exercises that help you create a mental picture of your face and shaving area and use your other senses to increase your confidence and safety when shaving.
If you’ve had sight previously and like to stand in front of a mirror when you shave, you can continue to do so. Many say that using a mirror feels more comfortable and natural, even when it’s difficult to see clearly.
You can also use a magnifying mirror with an adjustable arm to enlarge the image of your face and head.
Basic shaving supplies should include a razor, shaving cream or lotion, an after-shave, a washcloth, and a towel.
Assemble all of your shaving supplies before you begin. You can gather them on a tray, a washcloth, or a hand towel.
Wash the area to be shaved with soap and water and pat dry. This will soften your hair or whiskers, which makes it easier to shave cleanly and safely.
Use shaving cream or lotion if you use a safety razor. It will protect your skin and help you locate the areas you’ve already shaved.

Selecting Your Razor

An electric shaver is an option, but you can continue using a safety razor.
Some individuals prefer a wet/dry electric razor because it combines the qualities of a safety razor and an electric razor.
Generally, a safety razor provides a closer shave. Always use a sharp or new blade since dull blades can cause nicks, scratches, and cuts.
The choice of razor is up to you and should reflect your shaving preferences.
If you use an electric shaver, follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and cleaning procedures. You can contact the manufacturer and request braille or large print instructions if they are available.

General Shaving Techniques

Hand razor being guided over side of head

First, take time to feel and explore the contours of your face or the area to be shaved.
Practice first with an empty razor or with the electric razor turned off.
Use your hand not holding the razor as a “guide hand” to explore the area you are about to shave.
The guide hand can also tighten the skin, allowing the hairs to stand up straight for a closer shave.
You can also use your free hand as a guide for repositioning the razor when you make a new stroke.

Shaving Your Face

One way to begin is to place the index finger of your guide hand at the base of a sideburn, which can act as a “landmark.” Bring the hand holding the razor up to meet the guide finger. Shave downward at an angle over the cheekbone, from the sideburn line toward the chin.
As an alternative, use the earpiece of your eyeglasses as a “landmark.”
For the best coverage, use overlapping strokes and shave the area a second time at a 90-degree angle to the original strokes.
In areas where your beard is heavier, such as the chin and neck, shave against the grain of the whiskers.
In areas where the skin is more sensitive, such as the cheeks and upper lip, use downward strokes and shave with the grain of the whiskers.
Shave one side of your face at a time, which helps you keep track of the areas you’ve shaved.
Place your fingertip over the area and shave around it to protect moles and skin blemishes.
When you’re done, use your fingertips to check one more time for unshaven areas.
Check your ears and the tip of your nose for excess shaving cream.

Trimming or Shaping Your Beard

Shape your beard or sideburns with a beard trimmer to help maintain a desired contour or straight line.
Use the hand not holding the trimmer as a guide to explore and precede the area you are about to trim.
Ask your barber to touch up the outline of your beard or sideburns when you get a haircut and correct any small errors you may have made.

Shaving Your Legs or Underarms

It’s best to be seated when shaving your legs. A chair also provides orientation and support.
The tub’s edge is not a safe seat or sturdy location for supporting a leg when standing to shave.
For the best coverage, use overlapping strokes and shave against the grain of the hair.
When you’re done, use your fingertips to check one more time for unshaven areas.
Check the front and back of your knees and around your ankles for excess shaving cream.

With practice, patience, and the use of adaptive techniques, brushing teeth, nail care, and shaving can become simple, safe, and even enjoyable parts of your daily routine. By relying on touch, consistent positioning, and mindful techniques, you can maintain hygiene, protect your safety, and build confidence in your independence.

Additional Resources for Personal Care

If you would like additional instruction in shaving techniques or other areas of personal self-care, you can contact a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist. See Vision Rehabilitation Services on this website for more information.