When can I wash my own hair after brachioplasty?

Being guided by your body and if it is comfortable, you may attempt to raise your arms and wash your hair from 2 weeks post op.  Please follow up with your board certified plastic surgeon for their specific instructions. 

Thank you for your question regarding when it is safe to wash your hair and regain full arm mobility after brachioplasty. At 18 days post-op, you are still in the healing phase, and it’s essential to take care not to strain your incisions or disrupt the healing process.

Typically, patients begin to regain enough mobility to raise their arms and wash their hair about 3-4 weeks post-op. However, this depends on your specific recovery progress and whether there were any complications. Since your incisions are located in the underarm area, stretching too early could place tension on the sutures and potentially compromise healing.

If your surgeon has not restricted you from light movement, you can gradually attempt to raise your arms within a comfortable range. Start by lifting your arms just enough to manage washing your hair without fully extending them overhead. Use a gentle motion and avoid any pulling or straining sensations.

In the meantime, you may want to use alternatives like a handheld showerhead or ask for assistance to ensure you don’t overexert your arms. Continue sleeping in a supportive position that minimizes tension on your incisions, and consult your surgeon if you feel any discomfort or tightness when trying to move your arms above shoulder level.

It’s also helpful to begin light stretching exercises once cleared by your surgeon to improve mobility safely. These exercises can gradually help you regain full arm extension over time.

Good luck with your recovery, and I hope you’ll soon be back to full mobility without issues!

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Thank you for your question.  Assuming you have had no postoperative complications, you should be allowed to wash your hair at this point.  I do recommend following up with your plastic surgeon to see what his/her postoperative recommendations are.  Each plastic surgeon has their own post-op protocol.  Best of luck!