How long after arm lift can you wear deodorant and shave?

Hi and thank you for your question. Every surgeon will vary on this question, but I usually have patients wait 2-3 weeks until their incisions are  healed before shaving or applying deodorant, and avoiding directly shaving on the incision itself. I use tapes to stabilize the scar, so usually this area is covered after surgery with my patients. You may even sweat less because you will be resting for the most part. i agree with your thought that winter is a better time to do the surgery so that you can hide dressings/compression garments under clothing and not be overheated. I hope this helps and thank you for your question.

Thank you for your question regarding when you can resume using deodorant and shaving after an arm lift. Generally, after an arm lift (brachioplasty), it is essential to prioritize proper healing and avoid irritating the surgical site. Here’s what to consider:

For deodorant, you will typically need to wait about 4-6 weeks, or until your incisions are fully closed and there are no signs of drainage or open areas. Spray deodorants may be gentler on healing skin than roll-ons or sticks, but it’s always best to consult your surgeon for specific recommendations. They may suggest a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free option initially to avoid skin irritation.

As for shaving, you should also wait until your incisions are healed and there is no risk of disrupting the healing tissue. This typically occurs around two to four weeks post-surgery, depending on your healing progress. When you do resume shaving, use a new, clean razor and proceed with extreme caution to avoid any nicks near the incision line.

It's a good idea to consult with your surgeon during follow-up appointments to confirm when it's safe to resume these activities based on your specific healing progress. Preparing for the procedure during colder months, as you mentioned, is a wise strategy to minimize discomfort while avoiding these grooming activities.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Thanks for your inquiry. I advise my patients to avoid shaving or wearing deodorant until the incisions on the arm / armpit area are well-healed. This could be as soon as 2 weeks postop, but longer in some patients if there is delayed healing.

Only your PS can provide this type of information based upon how you are healing.  Continue to followup with your surgeon to get the best advice as the wounds continue to heal.  There will be months of healing before the scars will mature.  I recommend protein shakes for optimal incision healing.

Thank you for your question.I ask patient to wait at least one week. Then you can apply around the incision but not on the incision. I would wait at least 3 weeks before shaving.

This is something  you should discuss with your surgeon who knows you best. For my patients, I want them to wait until the incisions are healed. Good luck.

I usually let patients begin using deodorant about 1 – 2 weeks following surgery. I want the skin to be healed without open areas or significant crusting.  Sticks or gels can be applied to the armpit skin, up to but not over, the scar line. Sprays can be used normally if the scar is covered with paper tape or a silicone gel strip. I usually have patients tape the scar for at least a month before transitioning to some other form of scar treatment. Patients can begin to shave 2 – 3 weeks following surgery. Care should be taken to avoid nicking the skin or scar because the area may exhibit some numbness and the scar line is naturally swollen early on.
These recommendations may vary slightly among surgeons. Check with yours to see what he or she recommends. Best wishes.

I let my patients use deodorant at one week, assuming all the scars have healed. I get my patients to wear tape along the arm lift scars (micropore or siltape) and then you can spray the armpits whilst the scars are covered by the tape. Shaving is normally two to three weeks to give the scar enough strength to withstand the pull of the razor (or other means), but again taking care directly next to the scar.

The answer to your question can vary from surgeon to surgeon.  I generally allow my patients to save and/or use deodorant at around 1-2 weeks.  The way I perform my arm lift is described as an "L" brachioplasty.  This means the scar looks like a shape of an L as it curves down over the axilla/armpit area.  This helps to contour the axillary area and remove any extra skin.  This also has the benefit of removing a great deal of the hair and sweat glands as well.I would discuss the recovery phase with the plastic surgeon you will be having your surgery with.Hope that helps.

Dear Zaftig Visionary,
every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD