3 Considerations When Caring for Your Hair Before & After a Facelift or Neck Lift
Proper hair care before and after facelift or neck lift surgery is important to help you experience a smooth recovery and optimal results, as the incisions for these procedures are placed around the ears and within the hairline. Here, Richmond female plastic surgeon Dr. Sharline Aboutanos shares three essential considerations for hair care before surgery and during your recovery.
1. When to schedule your last hair appointment before surgery
It is safe to get your hair colored or cut up to a week before a facelift or neck lift. This time frame allows staining from hair color to fade and any sensitivity from bleach or other hair treatments to resolve before your surgery. Sometimes, the scalp or skin (particularly around the ears) can be scraped or nicked during a haircut, so it’s best to schedule your hair appointment far enough out from your surgery to account for unexpected issues that may impact your procedure, however unlikely they may be.
“Dr. Aboutanos was excellent! She is so very kind, patient and remarkably nice. Very understanding of my needle phobia and my surgery went so extremely well, I would not hesitate to have her perform additional procedures if needed!”
—5-star Google review
2. When you can wash your hair after surgery
With Dr. Aboutanos’ approval, you can wash your hair immediately after your surgery to remove any residue from the procedure itself or products that were applied such as an antiseptic solution. Gently wash your hair with a mild, fragrance-free shampoo (baby shampoo is typically a safe option) and lukewarm water to avoid irritating your scalp or incisions. Pat your hair with a soft towel instead of rubbing or wrapping your hair into a towel; this helps to minimize unnecessary tension on your healing tissues.
3. Hair products and styling you should avoid immediately after surgery
You’ll need to delay the use of any hair products or styling methods that could irritate your incisions or interfere with the healing process for about 2-4 weeks following a facelift or neck lift in Richmond. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Chemical treatments like dyes, bleach, or perming solutions can cause irritation, allergic reactions, or inflammation around your incision sites if applied before your incisions are fully healed.
Styling products such as gels, sprays, and mousses can build up on your scalp and around your neck and hairline, potentially causing irritation or infection that can slow the healing process and cause you to want to scratch at or rub incision sites. Incisions must stay clean and should be disturbed as little as possible.
High-heat styling tools including blow dryers, curling and straightening irons, and thermal rollers can increase blood flow to your scalp, which can lead to swelling or redness around your surgical areas. Styling with these tools also puts tension on your skin, which can strain your incisions and extend your recovery. The same goes for tight styles using accessories like hair ties and claw clips—loose hairstyles and minimal use of hair accessories is best during recovery.
Avoiding products and styles that could irritate or strain healing incisions will help you enjoy the best results possible in the shortest time frame.
You can gradually resume your regular hair care routine and safely reintroduce hair coloring, bleaching, and heat styling once Dr. Aboutanos confirms that you are recovering as expected and there are no signs of irritation or delayed healing at your follow-up appointment. For most patients, this occurs around the 4-week mark post-surgery.
Learn more about these procedures here: Dr. Aboutanos’ Pre- and Post- Facelift/Neck Lift Care Guidelines »
Trust your appearance to Richmond female plastic surgeon Dr. Sharline Aboutanos
Dr. Sharline Aboutanos is a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in a range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, including facelift and neck lift surgery. If you’re considering facial rejuvenation procedures and want to learn more about how Dr. Aboutanos personalizes each surgery plan for the most natural-looking results possible—from thoughtful incision placements to preserving the characteristics that convey your unique appearance—book your consultation with her today! Please call (804) 355-3410 or contact us online to get started.