Surgery is tough on the body – there’s no way around that. However, there are some things we can do to prepare our bodies as best as possible. Today, we’re going to chat a bit about what you can do to help your skin (and the rest of your body) prepare and how to clean surgery incisions. We’ll also answer a few common questions, like “can I do my skincare the night before surgery” and “what is the best thing for healing scars after surgery?” Let’s get started.
Keeping Skin Healthy Before and After Surgery:
What Skincare Can I Do Before Surgery?
If you’re wondering “can I do my skincare the night before surgery,” it depends on what’s normally a part of your routine. Most procedures will ask you to not use lotions, deodorants, or products like retinoids or retinol on your skin prior to surgery.
What Can I Do To Promote Quicker Wound Healing After Surgery?
In general, things like staying hydrated and eating a healthy diet will ensure your skin is in tip-top shape. Keeping your skin moisturized in the time leading up to your surgery can also help your skin bounce back from the incision faster.
You’ll also need to balance these things with preparing for surgery in general. Your doctor will probably recommend that you not eat, smoke, drink alcohol, or drink too much liquid before your surgery. You may also have to skip a medication if it could interfere with the surgery at all.
How Do I Care For My Incision Properly?
As a good rule of thumb, follow your surgeon’s “post-op” instructions. These instructions will probably include keeping the area clean and dry, changing dressings when necessary, avoiding soaking the area, and not using any products on the incision until the wound closes completely.
How Do I Clean My Surgery Incision?
If you’re trying to figure out how to clean surgery incisions, we have a quick guide for you. Remember, your doctor’s instructions should always supersede our advice.
- Wash your hands with antibacterial soap
- Remove old dressings carefully
- Use warm water and a very gentle soap to rinse over your wound
- (Ask your doctor) Use hydrogen peroxide if infection is a concern
- Pat dry and let air dry completely
- Re-dress your wound
When Can I Start Using Scar Products?
If you’re wondering “what is the best thing for healing scars after surgery,” numerous research articles and anecdotal evidence will tell you silicone is the name of the game for scar healing. When it comes to these products, you can’t start using them until after your incision closes up all the way.
Silicone sheeting products like our ScarFx Sheets are designed to protect your scar and give it the optimal healing environment. In addition to using these types of products at night, make sure to keep your scar moisturized at all times and protected with a silicone gel (like our Rejuvasil gel) during the day.
So, pick some of these products up today so that you can be prepared for your upcoming surgery!