The day before surgery, you may think it’s a good idea to shave the part of the body that your surgeon will operate on. With less hair around the surgical site, the easier it will be to perform the surgery.
As it turns out, this is a bad idea, and it could lead to complications as you recover. That’s why it’s always best to follow instructions provided to you by an experienced plastic surgeon.
The team at our Dallas, TX cosmic surgery practice would like to go over the problems with shaving before surgery, and what you should do instead to make things easier during the procedure and the recovery process.
The Hidden Damage of Shaving
Shaving leaves your skin looking clean and feeling smooth, yet it’s important to consider what’s happening to your skin at the microscopic level. Even with a good razor, you may be creating micro-abrasions on the surface of the skin. These tiny wounds are a going to be a problem for people undergoing a surgical procedure.
A Heightened Risk of Infection during Surgery
As it turns out, these micro-abrasions are an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Not only do you have to worry about infections of the incisions following surgery, but you also have to be concerned about infection of these micro-abrasions, which can then spread to the surgical site.
Take This Increased Infection Risk Seriously
While the risk for infection today is generally low thanks to advances in surgical techniques, it’s important to take these risks seriously. According to a study in the surgical journal Spine, infections were more likely in patients who were shaved before surgery than patients who were not shaved.
To address these risks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that surgeons use electric razors prior to surgery to minimize infection risks such as micro-abrasions.
When Can I Shave before Plastic Surgery?
If you do have to shave before surgery, you can do so safely 48 hours before your procedure. To limit the potential risk of infection, you may want to consider using an electric razor. Erring on the side of caution is best before any sort of medical procedure.
When Can I Shave after Plastic Surgery?
Shaving after plastic surgery is a bit concerning. For most patients, waiting about two weeks after surgery is ideal. Again, using an electric razor would be best in this early part of recovery. Be sure to check with your surgeon about returning to various activities after your surgery.
Showering before Surgery
The best thing you can do to make surgery easier is to shower thoroughly the night before surgery and the day of surgery. Use the recommended soaps, and make sure you focus on getting the surgical site as clean as possible. Avoid using lotions, creams, perfumes, cologne, or makeup after washing off to reduce infection risks.
Contact Dr. Paul Pin
For more information about pre-op and post-op matters that affect patient wellness, be sure to contact an experienced plastic surgeon. We are here to offer insight into wellness and ways of enhancing your appearance and well-being.