Antibacterial hair and face wash before facelift?

It is helpful to use an antibacterial wash before surgery. Chlorhexidine is the most frequently recommended product for the body.  It is toxic to the eyes so it would not be recommended for the face.  Dial soap or a similar product would be ok but not completely necessary.

While you MAY shower and shampoo with an antibacterial soap and shampoo, it is not necessary.  I have my patients use Johnsons Baby shampoo which works fine.  The key is to clean both areas as close to surgery as possible.  Skin and hair preparation at the time of surgery is done with excellent antibacterial solutions.

Every surgeon has his or her protocols.  In my opinion, the use of antibacteria soap before surgery is fine.  I would ask you to lean on the advice of your surgeon as to what to use and when to use it after surgery.

Dear warmheart999In my experience, a thorough wash with warm soap and water the night before and the morning of surgery is all that is needed to minimize foreign body and bacterial count prior to safe surgery in facelift patients. That, combined with peri-operative antibiotics will minimize he risks of infection. 

Thank you for your question.  I recommend that my facelift patients use an antibacterial wash (Dial) or Hibiclens the morning of their surgery.  This will not damage your skin and/or hair.  Be sure to ask your surgeon, though, before doing this!I hope this helps,-David Gilpin