How long after a craniotomy can you wash your hair?
Feb 25, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
If the incision from the craniotomy has healed well, with no signs of infection, redness, swelling, or discharge, and the physician has permitted hair washing, the patient may begin shampooing under the guidance of a doctor. In general, 7 to 10 days after surgery, once the wound has initially healed, the patient may start gently washing the scalp with warm water.
Generally, patients can wash their hair 7 to 15 days after craniotomy, although the exact timing may vary.
If the craniotomy incision has healed well without signs of infection, redness, swelling, or discharge, and the doctor has permitted head cleaning, patients may begin washing their hair under medical guidance. Usually, 7 to 10 days after surgery, once the wound has初步 healed, patients can start gently rinsing the scalp with warm water but should avoid vigorously rubbing the surgical site.
As minimally invasive surgery causes relatively less trauma, recovery tends to be faster. Therefore, it is generally recommended that patients consider washing their hair about 15 days after surgery when the scalp incision has mostly healed. However, the exact timing should be determined according to the patient's specific condition and the doctor's advice. It should be noted that if the wound has high tension, the time for washing hair should be postponed accordingly. At this stage, the wound may not have fully healed, and washing the hair too early may cause wound dehiscence or infection.
During hair washing, avoid scratching the wound forcefully to prevent infection. After washing, promptly dry the wound area to maintain cleanliness and dryness. Maintaining good personal hygiene and avoiding contact with contaminants during recovery can help reduce the risk of infection.
