Extracting wisdom teeth is a routine surgical procedure that requires careful preparation to ensure patient safety, especially when sedation or general anesthesia is administered. The prohibition against wearing makeup during surgery is a universal policy rooted in the need for accurate patient monitoring and maintaining a sterile environment. Every requirement, from fasting to removing jewelry, is a safety measure designed to minimize risks and allow the medical team to react instantly to any complication.
Interference with Vital Sign Monitoring
One of the most immediate concerns with wearing makeup is its ability to obstruct the medical team’s ability to monitor a patient’s physiological status. The anesthesiologist relies on both electronic devices and visual cues to track a patient’s well-being during the procedure. Foundation, concealer, and heavy blush can mask subtle, yet important, changes in natural skin color. These changes, such as pallor (extreme paleness) or cyanosis (a bluish tint to the lips or skin), are rapid visual indicators of circulatory issues or oxygen deprivation.
A more direct form of interference comes from nail polish, including clear coats and gel manicures, which can render a pulse oximeter unreliable. This non-invasive device measures the oxygen saturation of the blood (SpO2) by shining light through the fingertip. The sensor calculates the ratio of light absorption to determine the percentage of oxygenated hemoglobin. Nail polish pigments, particularly dark colors like black, blue, and green, absorb this light, confusing the sensor and causing it to display an inaccurate, often artificially low, oxygen saturation reading. This can lead to an underestimation of the patient’s true SpO2, which could delay the identification of a genuine breathing problem. Since accurate, real-time oxygen monitoring is standard practice during sedation, removing all nail polish is a non-negotiable safety step.
Risks to Sterility and the Surgical Field
The environment surrounding any oral surgery must be kept free from contamination to prevent post-operative infections. Makeup products, including powders, creams, and mascara, are not manufactured as sterile items and can harbor bacteria. These products introduce an unnecessary contamination risk that could lead to an infection in the surgical site, particularly the open gum tissue where the wisdom tooth is extracted.
During the procedure, particles from makeup, such as flakes of powder, eyeshadow, or mascara, can shed into the surgical field or onto sterile drapes and instruments. This physical contamination compromises the aseptic technique that is fundamental to surgical safety. Furthermore, heavy oils, moisturizers, or specialized primers used beneath makeup can interfere with the adherence of medical tape or specialized surgical dressings. A compromised adhesive seal affects the secure placement of monitoring equipment or protective barriers the surgical team needs to secure to the patient’s face.
Comprehensive Pre-Surgical Safety Protocols
The rule against makeup is one component of a broader set of standardized safety protocols that apply to most procedures involving anesthesia or sedation. These comprehensive rules are designed to protect the patient from specific physical and electrical hazards during the operation.
Removal of Metal Jewelry
All metal jewelry, including earrings and facial piercings, must be removed before the surgery. This requirement is largely due to the use of electrosurgical tools, such as electrocautery, which are often employed to manage bleeding by sealing blood vessels with electrical current. Metal jewelry can act as an unintended conductor, creating a pathway for the electrical current that can result in a serious surgical burn where the metal touches the skin. Furthermore, metal rings or piercings can become impossible to remove if the patient experiences post-operative swelling, potentially impeding circulation.
Other Necessary Removals
Other necessary removals include contact lenses, which can cause corneal irritation or scratching while the patient is unconscious and unable to blink. Removable dental appliances like dentures must also be removed, as they could become dislodged and obstruct the airway during the administration of anesthesia.