Preparing your skin at a glance
- Showers2 (the evening before and the morning of surgery)
- SoapAntiseptic (Betadine scrub)
- LatheringAt least 3 minutes
- Bladed razorNot allowed
- Wax or laserNot in the 7 days before
- After the showerNo cream or make-up
Before an operation, preparing the skin reduces the number of germs on its surface, and therefore the risk of infection. It involves, if the surgeon asks for it, removing hair from the area to be operated on the day before, without a bladed razor; a shower with antiseptic soap the evening before, then a second one on the morning of the operation, paying particular attention to skin folds; short nails without varnish, and no make-up, jewellery or piercings. These instructions are also in the Clinique Oxford’s patient welcome booklet.
Article from 2017, updated with the Clinique Oxford’s instructions.
1. Why prepare your skin?
The skin naturally carries germs. During the operation, they can contaminate the surgical wound and cause an infection. The preparation you carry out at home or on the ward adds to the skin disinfection carried out in the operating theatre by the team: by following these instructions, you play a direct part in preventing infection.
Choosing a qualified, experienced and reputable surgeon reduces these risks, and may even eliminate some of them.
2. The timetable: 7 days before, the evening before, the morning
- 7 days beforeNo wax or laser on the area to be operated on.
- The evening beforeHair removal if the surgeon asks for it, then the first antiseptic shower; clean pyjamas and clean sheets.
- The morningSecond antiseptic shower, no cream or make-up, theatre clothing.
3. Hair removal: only if requested
The surgeon will tell you whether hair needs to be removed from the area to be operated on. Two methods do this without damaging the skin: an electric trimmer, with the guard set to the minimum, or hair removal cream. A bladed razor is not allowed: the tiny cuts it causes can become infected. Wax and laser should be avoided on the area to be operated on for the 7 days before the operation. Hair removal is ideally done after the shower the evening before.
If you use a hair removal cream
- read the product leaflet before any application;
- first do a test on a small area of thin skin (the crook of the elbow); if there is a strong reaction, see your doctor and use the trimmer instead;
- apply it to clean, dry, non-irritated skin, never in the nose or ears or around the eyes;
- spread it in a thick layer and follow the stated application time exactly: beyond that, it can cause redness and burns;
- remove it with the spatula provided, rinse thoroughly with water, without soap or alcohol, then dry.
4. The evening before: the first shower
Before the shower
- cut and clean your nails; remove nail varnish, false nails or a French manicure;
- remove your make-up;
- remove jewellery and piercings, including your wedding ring.
During the shower
- LatherWet yourself all over, then lather from top to bottom with the antiseptic soap (Betadine scrub, prescribed by the surgeon, unless you are allergic) until the foam turns white: hair, face, neck, arms, trunk and navel, legs, feet, genital area.
- Pay particular attention to skin foldsBehind the ears, the armpits, the navel, the groin creases, between the toes: this is where germs are most numerous.
- Leave it to actAt least 3 minutes.
- RinseThoroughly, to remove all the soap.
- DryCarefully, with a clean towel, especially the skin folds, armpits, navel and between the toes.
- 1Behind the ears
- 2Armpits
- 3Navel
- 4Groin creases
- 5Between the toes
Then brush your teeth, clean your ears, put on clean pyjamas and sleep in clean sheets.
5. The morning of the operation: the second shower
This is done at home if you are having day surgery, or on the ward if you were admitted the evening before.
- go to the toilet before the shower;
- repeat the same shower as the evening before, with the Betadine scrub from your prescription at home, or with the bottle and single-use washcloth given to you by the nursing team if you were admitted the evening before;
- then apply no moisturiser or make-up, on your body or your face;
- brush your teeth;
- at the clinic, put on the theatre clothing provided by the team (gown, briefs, cap, overshoes) and, if they have been prescribed, compression stockings;
- lie down in a clean bed, after removing the overshoes, and do not get up again before you leave for the operating theatre;
- bring the compression garment prescribed by the surgeon.
6. Allergy, damaged skin: tell the team
Before the operation, report any allergy to iodine or Betadine: another antiseptic, such as chlorhexidine, is then used. Also tell the surgeon if the area to be operated on has a wound, an infected spot, eczema or sunburn. Do not hesitate to ask the nursing team for an explanation if any instruction is unclear.
Frequently asked questions
Can I shave before the operation?
Not with a bladed razor: its tiny cuts can become infected. If the surgeon asks for hair removal, use an electric trimmer, with the guard set to the minimum, or a hair removal cream, the evening before.
Can I have a laser hair removal session before the operation?
Not on the area to be operated on during the 7 days before the operation, and no waxing either. The skin must be intact and not irritated on the day of the operation.
Why two showers?
The first, the evening before, removes most of the germs from the skin; the second, in the morning, completes their removal just before the operation. This is the Clinique Oxford’s protocol.
I am allergic to Betadine: what should I do?
Tell the surgeon and the anaesthetist before the operation: another antiseptic, such as chlorhexidine, is used for the shower and in the operating theatre.
Can I apply cream or make-up in the morning?
No. After the second shower, apply no moisturiser or make-up, on your body or your face.
Do I need to remove my nail varnish?
Yes: nails must be short, clean and free of varnish or false nails. Varnish also interferes with the oxygen sensor placed on your finger during anaesthesia.
Sources
- Société française d’hygiène hospitalière (SF2H, French Society for Hospital Hygiene). Preoperative management of infection risk: update of the consensus conference. October 2013.
- Clinique Oxford, Cannes: patient welcome booklet.
See also: the Clinique Oxford · How do you choose your cosmetic surgeon?