What can be done before surgery to prevent ingrown hair in the incision?

Question

Hello there, Is there anything at all that can be done BEFORE surgery to prevent ingrown hair in the incisions? And what are the best way to deal with it AFTER the surgery (around areolas)? Thank you

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,Hair should not be waxed or shaved one to two weeks before surgery, as this increases your risk for folliculitis and possible wound infection.  You can try electrolysis or laser hair removal if more than one month from surgery, otherwise just trim hairs with scissors. Best of luck!

Kirk Moore, MD · Answer

Unless you have an extremely hairy chest (like a man), I have never seen an ingrown hair problem in a periareolar incision. Laser hair removal would probably be best to prevent this, and is done for axillary incisions. Best.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

the perimeter of areolas don't have much hair growth and so this should not be a problem for you; a few hairs will not create a problem; in general the recommendation is to shave any hairs approximately 2 days prior to surgery to avoid any increased risk of infection.

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