Why is shaving hair prior to surgery generally avoided for skin prep?

• A. Hair removal is never needed
• B. Shaving increases bleeding
• C. Shaving can create microabrasions that increase SSI risk
• D. It reduces sterility

Answer: (C)

Shaving hair before surgery is avoided because it can injure the skin. Using a razor often creates tiny cuts and microabrasions in the epidermis, which compromise the skin’s protective barrier. Those microtraumas provide entry points for bacteria and can worsen wound healing, increasing the risk of a surgical site infection. Skin prep aims to reduce microbial load while preserving skin integrity, so methods that minimize trauma are preferred. If hair must be removed, clipping with electric clippers is used instead of shaving, and this is done as close to the time of surgery as possible to minimize irritation.