Preparing for surgery requires attention to every detail, including how you wear your hair. Hair preparation is important for patient safety, the efficiency of the medical team, and personal comfort. Instructions concerning hair length, cleanliness, and accessories are a necessary part of the pre-operative checklist. Adhering to these guidelines helps ensure a smooth procedure and minimizes the risk of complications.
Recommended Hairstyles and Simple Preparation
The goal for hair preparation is cleanliness and securing the hair so it is contained and out of the way. Patients should wash their hair the night before or the morning of the procedure. Sometimes, a special antiseptic soap like chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is required if directed by the care team. This reduces the microbial count on the scalp, contributing to infection prevention.
For patients with long hair, simple styles that secure the length without causing discomfort when lying down are best. Loose braids, such as pigtail braids or a single side braid, prevent tangling and matting during the procedure and recovery. Ponytails or buns must be placed low, at the nape of the neck, to keep the back of the head clear for resting on the operating table. The hair must not obstruct the face, eyes, ears, or forehead.
Mandatory Prohibitions: Accessories and Products
All hair accessories containing metal must be removed before coming to the hospital for surgery. This includes bobby pins, metal clips, barrettes, hair extension microbeads, and wires. Metal poses a burn risk because of the use of electrocautery devices during the procedure. These instruments use electricity to control bleeding, and the current can travel to metal objects, creating a pathway for burns.
Patients should avoid using excessive amounts of hair products like gels, sprays, oils, and leave-in conditioners. Many of these products can be flammable, which is a concern when electrosurgical tools are used in the operating room. Heavy products can also interfere with the adherence of medical tape or monitoring electrodes applied to the scalp or forehead. If you have hair extensions, weaves, or toupees, consult with your surgical team. Extensions with metal fasteners must be removed, and others may need to be taken out if they interfere with the surgical site or required monitoring.
Safety and Medical Reasons for Hair Requirements
Hair requirements are rooted in maintaining a sterile environment and ensuring effective patient monitoring. During the procedure, the patient’s hair must be fully contained under a surgical cap. This standard measure prevents the shedding of hair and skin particles. Containment minimizes the risk of surgical site infection by keeping the sterile field free of contaminants.
Contained hairstyles also ensure medical staff have clear, unobstructed access to the patient’s head and neck. This access is necessary for placing monitoring equipment, such as leads for depth of anesthesia monitoring or a pulse oximeter probe on the earlobe. The absence of metal accessories eliminates the risk of electrical burns from electrosurgical units. All hair requirements are implemented to protect the patient and facilitate necessary medical interventions.