There are a few key reasons why you cannot wear lotion or moisturizers before having surgery. Applying lotion or moisturizer before surgery can interfere with monitoring equipment, increase the risk of infection, and cause issues with anesthesia. Understanding why lotion is restricted can help patients follow pre-surgery instructions for a safe procedure.
Interference with Monitoring Equipment
One of the main reasons not to wear lotion before surgery is that it can interfere with monitoring equipment used during the procedure. During surgery, staff need to closely monitor the patient’s vital signs and body functions. This is done through heart monitors, blood pressure cuffs, pulse oximeters, and other equipment that is placed directly on the skin.
Lotion, oils, or moisturizers can get between the equipment sensors and the patient’s skin. This creates a barrier that makes it difficult for the monitors to get accurate readings. Inaccurate vitals can prevent staff from detecting problems or changes in the patient’s condition during anesthesia.
Some key examples of how lotion can interfere with surgical monitoring equipment include:
- Heart monitors – Lotion reduces the conductivity of electrode stickers placed on the chest. This gives inaccurate heart rhythm readings.
- Blood pressure cuffs – Lotion on the arm or wrist weakens the seal for blood pressure cuffs. This leads to incorrect blood pressure measurements.
- Pulse oximeter – A pulse oximeter clipped onto a lubricated finger will not properly detect oxygen saturation levels.
Without precise data from skin-contact monitoring, the surgical team cannot make fully informed anesthesia adjustments or respond to emergencies. This puts the patient at greater risk during the procedure.
Increased Infection Risk
Applying lotion, moisturizers, or oils before surgery also poses an infection risk. When these products get into the surgical site, they can introduce bacteria that lead to postoperative infections.
Some of the infection risks of using lotion before a procedure include:
- Contaminated lotion – Lotion can harbor bacteria if it is expired, exposed to dirty hands, or contaminated through repeated dipping and application.
- Disrupted natural barrier – Oils and moisturizers degrade the skin’s protective barrier, making it easier for bacteria to enter through microscopic abrasions from shaving or skin prep.
- Bacteria growth – Leaving moisturizer on the skin can allow rapid bacterial growth in the hours before surgery.
- Absorbent gauze – Surgical gauze and bandages will absorb excess lotion and carry it into the surgical wound.
These infection risks are greater for surgeries involving incisions or implants. Postoperative infections lead to higher costs, longer recovery, increased complications, and greater risk of revision surgeries.
Anesthesia Issues
Applying moisturizers or oils before surgery can also create issues with anesthesia administration and regulation.
Some examples include:
- Interference with topical anesthetics – Numming creams or sprays may not penetrate sufficiently through an oily lotion layer to provide effective localized anesthesia.
- Dislodged IV catheters – Lotion around IV catheter sites can weaken adhesion and increase chances of the IV being dislodged during positioning and prepping.
- Inaccurate dosing – Anesthesia is partially dosed based on patient weight and body mass. Oils and lotions can throw off estimates of the patient’s body composition.
- Drug interactions – Oily carriers in moisturizers may react with certain anesthesia medications.
Without proper anesthesia regulation, the patient is at higher risk of awareness, responding to pain during surgery, and anesthetic complications. This demonstrates why pre-surgery lotion and moisturizer use is restricted.
Pre-Surgery Skin Care
Understanding why lotion and moisturizers are not allowed before surgery empowers patients to properly prepare for their procedure. Here are some guidelines for pre-surgery skin care:
- Stop using lotion and moisturizer at least 24-48 hours before surgery.
- Take only sponge baths – no baths, showers, hot tubs, or swimming.
- Use an antimicrobial skin cleanser like chlorhexidine gluconate (Hibiclens) for bathing.
- Do not apply any makeup, nail polish, fragrances, or hair products.
- Remove all jewelry, piercings, contacts, dentures, etc.
- Follow any other lifestyle restrictions given by your surgical team.
Carefully preparing and cleansing the skin ahead of time reduces risks and helps surgery go more smoothly. Be sure to ask your doctor about proper pre-op skin care for your specific procedure.
Conclusion
In summary, lotions, moisturizers, and oils are restricted before surgery for the following key reasons:
- Interfere with vital sign monitors needed for anesthesia safety
- Increase infection risks in the surgical site
- Cause issues with anesthesia regulation and effectiveness
By avoiding lotion for 1-2 days pre-op and properly cleansing the skin, patients can reduce surgical risks. Following your doctor’s instructions will set you up for the best possible surgical experience.