Can I Wash My Hair Before Surgery?

Getting ready to undergo surgery can be an anxious time. You likely have a million questions running through your mind about preparing for the procedure. One common question is whether you can wash your hair before surgery.

The answer is yes, you can and should wash your hair before surgery. But there are important guidelines to follow for washing hair before your procedure.

In this article, we’ll discuss:

• Why washing hair before surgery is recommended
• When to wash hair before surgery
• How to properly wash hair before surgery
• What hair products to avoid before surgery
• Caring for hair after surgery

Why Wash Hair Before Surgery?

Here are the main reasons surgeons recommend washing hair before having surgery:

• Prevents infections – Washing hair helps remove bacteria, oils and dirt that can otherwise enter surgical cuts and cause infections.

• Safety precaution – Clean hair minimizes any flammability risks when cautery tools are used during surgery.

• Hygiene – Hospitals require patients to bathe before surgery as a hygiene measure for the surgery environment.

• Improves patient experience – Clean hair simply helps you feel fresher and more comfortable after surgery.

Washing hair is especially crucial for surgeries involving the head, scalp, brain or face regions. But pre-surgery hair washing is a smart idea even for procedures not near the head.

When Should I Wash My Hair Before Surgery?

Typically, surgeons advise washing your hair:

• The night before surgery
• The morning of surgery

Washing hair the night before your procedure ensures you arrive to the hospital with clean hair. This allows time for any dampness to fully dry overnight too.

Some surgeons also recommend washing hair again the morning of surgery just to further lower infection risks.

Ideally, you want freshly washed hair that is fully dry by the time you arrive for your surgery.

How to Properly Wash Hair Before Surgery

Follow these steps to correctly wash your hair before surgery:

Use the Right Shampoo

Regular shampoo is not enough to sanitize hair before surgery. Use an antibacterial soap or surgical scrub containing:

• Chlorhexidine gluconate 4%
• Povidone-iodine 7.5%
• Benzalkonium chloride

Common brand names include Hibiclens, Exidine, or Betadine surgical scrub.

Wash With 2 Freshly Laundered Washcloths

Designate 2 new, clean washcloths solely for washing with the surgical soap. Discard them after use.

Using the same washcloth twice can transfer bacteria back to your skin.

Lather Hair Twice

Apply the surgical soap to your first washcloth, then gently wash your hair.

Rinse and repeat with the second washcloth to ensure full coverage.

Let Soap Sit 1 Minute Before Rinsing

Allow the antibacterial soap to soak on your hair and scalp for 1 minute before rinsing. This allows optimal disinfection.

Rinse thoroughly after.

Use Clean Towels and Bedding

After washing hair, pat dry with a freshly laundered towel. Also change your pillowcases.

This prevents recontamination from bacteria on used linens.

What Hair Products to Avoid Before Surgery

Avoid the following hair products before surgery:

• Conditioner or hair masks
• Any hair styling products
• Hair gels, mousse or hairspray
• Hair oil, serums or creams
• Hair glitter or decorative products
• Hair extensions, weaves, wigs

These products can interfere with disinfecting hair. Many also contain flammable ingredients.

Hair accessories like clips, bands, pins and ties should be removed before surgery too.

Caring for Hair After Surgery

Once your surgery is over, you may need to adapt your normal hair care routine as you recover. Here are some tips:

• Wait 2-3 days after surgery before washing hair again. Be gentle when you do.

• Avoid hair dryers or other hot tools near incision sites or surgical wounds. Air dry hair instead.

• Don’t use hair products until approved by your surgeon, as chemicals may irritate healing wounds.

• Wear loose hairstyles that don’t pull on healing incisions for at least 2 weeks after surgery.

• Adjust your sleeping position if incisions are irritated by contact with your hair or pillow.

• See your surgeon immediately if you notice any skin redness, swelling, oozing or infections around hair and incisions.

Preparing for surgery can be stressful, but taking the time to properly wash your hair before the procedure will give you one less thing to worry about. Follow all your surgeon’s pre-op instructions for best results.