A surgical site infection (SSI) occurs when germs or bacteria enter an incision area during operations and surgical procedures. SSI prevention is of the utmost importance to surgeons. While its efficacy is under constant debate, preoperative hair removal remains a popular preventative measure against SSI. Despite the ongoing debate, preoperative hair removal is necessary in many cases for many reasons. Surgeons currently practice three forms of hair removal; shave the site using a razor, clipping it with electric clippers and applying hair removal cream. Ask your doctor for a recommendation regarding the best preoperative hair removal for your procedure.
Cream
Hair removal creams---or, depilatories---are the best recommended means of preoperative hair removal. Your doctor will apply the cream only to the surgical site. The hair will fall off without causing pain or trauma to the surgical site. This lessens your risk for SSI as well. You may wish to clip hair from surrounding areas if you find a missing patch of hair unsightly, such as patches on the head. Your doctor may recommend hair removal cream for a small surgical site or in an area that may be sensitive to pressure from electric clipper use.
Clippers
Despite the efficacy of hair removal creams, trimming with electric clippers is the most popular means of preoperative hair removal. These are the same clippers you would find in a barber shop. Your doctor will clip the hair as soon as possible before surgery. While clippers exert minimal trauma on the skin, it's best not to allow much time to pass before surgery, as even minimal skin trauma may result in bacterial increase to the surgical site. Electric clipping virtually eliminates the possibility of small cuts and open wounds around the surgical site. This is ideal for SSI prevention as well as clearing an area for precise incisions and procedural implementations.
Razor
Shaving is rarely recommended as a means of preoperative hair removal. Shaving causes trauma to the skin including abrasions and openings that can welcome bacterial infection. The trauma also increases the amount of organisms growing on the skin around the surgical site at greater rate than clipping or using hair removal cream. Inquire about the use of clippers or hair removal cream if your doctor recommends shaving for preoperative hair removal.
