How long after face and necklift surgery can I wash my hair? (Photos)

You should check with your facial plastic surgeon, because everyone has different recommendations. However, I allow most of my patients to shower 24 hours after surgery, provided they remain upright, use a very light touch, and do not bother their sutures. It’s important not to invert your head (for instance by washing your hair under the tub spigot). Don’t use a hair dryer or hot curlers for at least a month. I hope this helps.

Every surgeon has a different protocol. In my practice the hair is washed straight after surgery by my scrub nurses . This is followed up by my specialist nurse gently washing your hair again the next day before going home. My nurses show you where the sutures are and teach my patients how to gently wash their hair at home. Usually since the hair is very clean on the day of discharge I recommend leaving it for a couple of days before washing at home and then to resume daily with showering.

I will allow patients to shower their bodies the next day after the surgery without getting the incisions wet.  Hair can be washed for most patients at 3-4 days following the surgery with care to towel dry the incisions after showering.  I would check with your surgeon for their protocol.

As I the facelift procedure under local anaesthetic, without the need for drains or bandages, I advise my patients to shower one day post surgery and everyday for 7 days.I would ask your surgeon what their aftercare protocol is as many surgeons have different policies.

Good afternoon, Caroline!
The answer to your question will vary from doctor to doctor. However, I recommend that my patients do not shower, wet or expose the incisions 72 hours post-op. After 72 hours I recommend my patients shower with anti-bacterial soap but that they do not rub the incisions with the soap. It is very important to remember that your body is your best defense against any sort of infection, rubbing the incisions with anti-bacterial soap may interfere with your healing process. Like I mentioned before, this answer does vary from doctor to doctor and if you have any doubt you should contact your plastic surgeons office.

Best regards,
Dr. Jose M. Soler-Baillo, M.D, M.S
American Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Hi Caroline Hewson, thanks for your question!  I recommend calling your plastic surgeon for his or her exact post op instructions for a facelift.  I advise my patients not to shower until 48 hours after their surgery.  After 2 days, I recommend using an antibacterial soap and warm water to rinse the incisions and surrounding area.  Hope this helps!

This is a direct question for your own plastic surgeon as each of us has a different protocol, and that protocol may vary based on what has been done.   A simple phone call to their office should clear things up.

Thank you for the question. Your surgeon is the best person to answer that question. In my practice, I usually let my patients shower in 48 hours.Pejman Aflaki, M.D.Johns Hopkins-trained plastic surgeon

Hi and thank you for your question.  While every surgeon is different, I let my patients shower 24 hours after the drain is removed, which usually means they can shower 2 days after surgery.  Best to double check with your surgeon however first!

I put patients in the shower the next day. I would check with your surgeon however.  you paid him a lot of money to take advise from strangers