Washing your hair after a breast lift surgery requires some special care and consideration during the initial healing process. A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a plastic surgery procedure that raises and firms the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour. After a breast lift, there will be sutures, swelling, bruising and tenderness that require gentle post-op care while cleansing your hair. You must follow your surgeon’s specific instructions on bathing to ensure proper healing. Typically, your surgeon will recommend you wait a certain number of days before getting your incisions wet. After you are cleared to wash your hair, you must take precautions to avoid infection and irritation when shampooing. Here are some tips on how to gently wash your hair after a breast lift while caring for your healing surgical sites.
When can you wash your hair after a breast lift?
Your plastic surgeon will provide instructions on when it is safe to wet your incisions after a breast lift. This will depend on the type and extent of the surgical techniques used. For example, if you had a breast lift using an anchor incision technique that goes around the areola, vertically down from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease, and horizontally along the breast crease, your surgeon may recommend waiting 5-7 days before getting the incisions wet. With a less complex circumareolar incision that just goes around the border of the areola, you may be able to wash your hair after 24-48 hours.
It is crucial to follow your surgeon’s guidelines on when you can wash your hair and submerge your chest and breast area after a mastopexy. Getting the incisions wet too early can increase risks of infection and impact healing. The initial 24-48 hours are important for allowing the incision sites to close and seal. After this timeframe, your surgeon will assess the incisions and let you know when it is alright to wash your hair and gently cleanse the breast area.
How to wash your hair after the first 48 hours following a breast lift
Once your surgeon gives the go-ahead to get your incisions wet, you must take care when shampooing your hair. Here are some tips:
Avoid getting shampoo directly on the incisions
When lathering up your hair with shampoo, be careful not to let soapy suds run down onto your chest and breast area. Try tilting your head far back in the sink or shower so the shampoo lathers down the back of your head rather than the front near your face. Rinse your hair by similarly tilting your head back to avoid dripping on your chest. You can also place a clean towel over your chest as added protection when rinsing.
Use a mild, fragrance-free shampoo
Stick to a gentle shampoo without perfumes or dyes for the first couple weeks after your breast lift surgery. Avoid products with chemicals or ingredients that could irritate the sensitive post-op skin around your incision sites. A mild baby shampoo is usually recommended.
Do not scrub or massage the incision areas
When washing your hair or upper body, be very gentle around the breast and chest region. Do not vigorously scrub, massage or put pressure on the healing breast lift incisions. Let soap and water run gently over the area without any rubbing.
Rinse thoroughly
Make sure to rinse out all traces of shampoo from your hair. Leftover shampoo residue could trigger skin irritation around your healing incision sites. Give your hair a second shampooing and rinsing if needed to remove shampoo remnants.
Air dry or gently pat dry
Rubbing your surgical areas with a towel could irritate the incisions. It is best to air dry after washing or gently pat dry with a clean towel if needed.
Apply silicone tape or scar cream
Your surgeon may recommend covering your breast lift incisions with silicone tape or massaging the area with a scar cream or gel after washing to promote proper healing. Always follow your surgeon’s scar care instructions.
Inspect the incisions
Check that your incisions look normal without signs of infection such as redness, swelling, warmth, oozing fluid or foul odor. Report any concerns to your plastic surgeon.
Tips for washing your hair in the shower after a breast lift
The shower stream provides a gentle way to rinse your hair after shampooing. But you still need to take precautions to avoid getting your chest and breast incisions excessively wet:
Face away from the showerhead
Stand with your back to the shower spray when rinsing out your hair. You can also turn to the side. Avoid facing the water directly.
Adjust the showerhead
Angle the showerhead so the water is directed at your upper back rather than your front. Or remove the showerhead entirely and use the flexible hose, tilting your head back.
Wear a bathing suit top
Covering your breasts with a bathing suit top provides extra protection from the shower stream. Opt for a soft cotton sports-bra style without underwire.
Use a shower chair
Sitting on a shower seat or chair allows you to tilt your head back more comfortably when rinsing out your shampooed hair.
Drape a towel over your chest
You can loosely place a clean towel around your neck and over the breast area before tipping your head back to rinse your hair in the shower.
Washing your hair by leaning over the sink after a breast lift
Standing over a sink is an alternative way to gently shampoo your hair while avoiding getting your healing breast incisions wet. Here are some tips:
Use a handheld showerhead
Detach your showerhead and bring it to the sink with you. Adjust the flexible hose to direct the water into the sink as you rinse.
Try a pitcher or cup
Fill a clean pitcher or large cup with water and have someone slowly pour it over your sudsy hair as you lean over the sink.
Adjust your stance as needed
Stand upright when lathering your hair with shampoo. Then lean forward from your hips to rinse, keeping your back straight. Or place one foot up on a step stool to tilt your head down into the sink basin.
Line the sink with a towel
Drape a towel in the sink to cushion your chest if needed when leaning over the basin.
Consider dry shampoo the first week after your breast lift
Using a dry shampoo can help extend time between washing your hair those first several days after surgery when showering needs to be limited. Spray dry shampoo onto your roots to absorb oil and freshen your hair for a day or two. Just remember to brush thoroughly so you do not get residue on your incisions when lying down.
Seek guidance from your plastic surgeon on bathing after a breast lift
Always follow your cosmetic surgeon’s instructions on when you can resume bathing and showering after your breast lift. Call your surgeon’s office with any questions or concerns about cleansing your hair or caring for your healing incisions. Your surgeon wants you to have the smoothest possible recovery and best cosmetic results. Avoiding infection and irritation to the post-surgical sites is crucial.
Conclusion
Washing your hair requires some adjustments and care in the first week or two after a breast lift. Be very gentle when shampooing and rinsing to avoid placing strain on the incisions. Follow all of your plastic surgeon’s directions on cleansing your hair after the procedure. With proper incision care, your breast lift results can look beautiful as you heal.