When preparing for surgery, patients often wonder if they need to remove their nail polish beforehand. The answer depends on the specific policies of the surgical facility and type of procedure being performed. Here is a closer look at whether you can wear nail polish during surgery.
Quick Answers
– Most surgical facilities require nail polish to be removed prior to surgery.
– Nail polish can interfere with pulse oximeter readings during surgery.
– Dark or glittery nail polish is more likely to be prohibited than light, natural shades.
– Requirements may vary for different types of surgeries.
– Check with your surgeon and surgical facility about their specific nail polish policies.
– Nail polish should be removed at least 24-48 hours before your scheduled surgery.
– Only clear nail polish may be allowed in some cases.
– If in doubt, it’s best to remove all nail polish before your procedure.
Why Nail Polish May Need to be Removed
Most surgery centers and hospitals require that patients remove their nail polish before procedures. There are a few key reasons why:
Monitor Oxygen Saturation
During surgery, pulse oximeters are clipped onto a patient’s fingers or toes to monitor their oxygen saturation levels. These devices use light waves to detect blood flow and oxygen levels in the blood. Dark nail polish can interfere with the light absorption, leading to inaccurate readings.
Since oxygen saturation is an important vital sign monitored closely throughout surgery, most facilities require removal of any colored polish that could impact these devices.
Assess Circulation
Doctors also visually assess nail bed capillary refill during surgery to check peripheral circulation. With polished nails, it can be harder to get an accurate view of how well blood is flowing to the extremities.
Prevent Chipping & Infections
As hands are washed and sterilized many times during surgery prep, nail polish can start chipping. These chips and cracks can harbor germs and bacteria, increasing infection risks.
Doctors want to remove any potential sources of infection for surgical procedures. Chipped polish is considered a contamination risk.
Allow Oxygen Absorption
Some research indicates that nail polish can prevent optimal oxygen absorption through the nail beds. Especially for longer surgeries, doctors want oxygenation to be as unimpeded as possible.
Types of Nail Polish Allowed
If any nail polish is permitted, it is typically light, natural shades without shimmer or glitter. Neutral pinks or nude tones are less likely to interfere with pulse oximeter readings.
Some facilities may allow patients to wear a clear base coat or clear polish. However, others maintain a strict no-polish rule before surgery.
Here are examples of nail polish colors that may be allowed at some surgery centers:
- Clear
- Sheer pink
- Nude
- Light tan
- Neutral tones
Nail polish colors prohibited are usually:
- Dark colors
- Bright colors
- Glitter, shimmer
- Neons
- Black
- Dark red
Policies by Surgery Type
Nail polish rules can vary depending on the type of procedure being performed:
| Surgery Type | Typical Nail Polish Policy |
|---|---|
| Major surgery | No nail polish allowed |
| Minor surgery | Light colors sometimes permitted |
| Outpatient procedure | May allow light polish |
| Plastic surgery | No nail polish allowed |
| Podiatric surgery | Must remove toe nail polish |
For any major surgery or procedures involving the hands or feet, all nail polish will likely be prohibited. But for some minor surgeries like basic biopsies, light nail polish may be allowed.
When in doubt, check with the surgical facility about their specific requirements given your upcoming procedure.
When to Remove Nail Polish
To allow ample time for the nails to “breathe” and oxygenate, nail polish should be removed:
- 1-2 days before surgery
- At least 24 hours prior
- Up to 48 hours before procedure
Many surgeons’ offices will instruct you to remove polish as part of your regular pre-op instructions 1-2 weeks before surgery. This ensures nails are polish-free by the time you arrive for your procedure.
Before Checking In
To avoid delays or issues on the day of your surgery, nail polish should be completely removed:
- Before arriving at the hospital or surgery center
- At home as part of preparing for surgery
- The night before your scheduled procedure
The nursing staff will likely inspect your nails during intake and send you to remove any remaining traces of polish prior to being admitted for surgery.
What Happens If You Don’t Remove Polish
If you forget to remove nail polish before your surgery time, a few things could happen:
- You will be asked to remove it immediately before going into surgery.
- Your surgery may be postponed or rescheduled.
- The surgical team may remove it for you with acetone.
In most cases, you will be asked to scrape off any remaining nail polish just before heading into the operating room. So last-minute polish removal may delay your procedure.
However, if the color is too dark or the removal process takes too long, your surgeon may decide to reschedule for a later date when your nails are polish free. AFuture surgical dates are also impacted.
Rarely, the nursing staff may remove dark polish for you the day of surgery using acetone or nail polish remover. However, this can leave nail beds dry and damaged before going into a procedure.
After Surgery Nail Care
Following your procedure, you will need to continue keeping nails polish-free while recovering:
- Check with your surgeon when you can resume nail polish use.
- Typically at least 1 week post-op.
- Wait until drainage tubes, IVs, and bandages are removed.
Most doctors recommend leaving nails bare for at least the first week after surgery. This allows them to continue monitoring circulation and oxygen levels as you heal.
Once dressings are removed and you are stable, nail polish can usually be applied again. But confirm timing with your surgical team.
Acrylics & Gel Polish
In addition to regular nail polish, most surgeons will also request that acrylic nails or gel manicures be removed prior to surgical procedures. Here’s why:
- Acrylic nails have adhesive that traps bacteria.
- Gel polish is difficult to completely remove.
- Artificial nails are another barrier to assessing circulation.
Both acrylic and gel nail products require thorough soaking and scraping for complete removal. Surgeons don’t want patients spending time removing stubborn polishes right before surgery when they should be prepping and resting.
Check with your nail salon about safely removing these products at least 1-2 weeks before scheduled procedures.
When Nail Polish May Be Allowed
While most surgeons and hospitals prohibit nail polish, there are some exceptions where it may be allowed:
- Local or topical anesthesia procedures.
- Superficial procedures that don’t require pulse oximetry as closely.
- Surgeries not involving hands or feet.
Some dermatology offices allow light polish for mole removal or biopsies with just local numbing. Similarly, clear polish may be okay for eye procedures.
But for any major surgery or procedures involving circulation, nail polish will need to be removed ahead of time.
Ask Your Surgeon
Due to all these reasons, the safest bet is to remove all nail polish prior to the day of your procedure. Every surgical facility has specific policies about what is allowed.
To avoid issues or delays, ask your surgeon and surgery center:
- Do I need to take off my nail polish?
- What colors are prohibited?
- Can I wear clear polish?
- How many days before do I need to remove it?
Following their recommendations will ensure you are fully prepared for surgery and avoid any problems related to your nail polish on the procedure day.
The Bottom Line
Most surgeons and operating facilities require that nail polish be completely removed before surgery. The safest choice is to strip nails of all lacquer at least 1-2 days in advance.
In some cases, light natural tones or clear polish may be permitted. But dark, shimmery shades often interfere with monitoring during procedures.
Nails should remain polish-free for at least 1 week after surgery as well. Confirm requirements with your surgical team for each specific procedure you have scheduled.
While you may love your latest manicure, removing that pretty polish ahead of time will help your surgery go smoothly and prevent any potential issues.