Clipping Timing & Technique
Clinical Objective
Establish evidence-based standards for the timing, extent, and method of hair removal from the surgical site. Clipping-related microabrasions are a primary contributor to SSI risk; technique and timing both significantly affect outcomes.
Protocol Steps
- 1
Schedule clipping as close to surgery time as possible — ideally within 1 hour of incision.
- 2
Use a dedicated clipper blade (size 40 for fine work; 10 for gross removal) maintained in good repair.
- 3
Clip in a clean prep area outside the OR; never clip in the surgical suite.
- 4
Use a generous margin: minimum 10 cm beyond the planned incision in all directions.
- 5
Clip with the hair growth direction first, then against for a closer finish without aggressive passes.
- 6
Remove all clipped hair using a vacuum or lint roller — do not blow or brush into the surgical field.
- 7
Inspect the clipped skin for microabrasions, lesions, or wounds before proceeding.
Key Pitfalls to Avoid
Clipping the night before surgery — skin microabrasions colonize with bacteria within hours.
Using dull blades that drag and cause abrasive injury to skin.
Clipping too close to the incision site without adequate margin.
Allowing clipped hair to contaminate the prep area or travel to the OR via the patient.
The single most underestimated SSI variable in day-to-day practice is clip timing. Studies consistently show that clipping more than 2 hours before surgery significantly increases SSI risk, yet overnight clipping remains common in high-volume practices. If your protocol cannot guarantee same-day clipping, the literature supports wet depilatory creams as an alternative that avoids microabrasion entirely.