How to Use Hibiclens Prior to Skin Removal

What?

Hibiclens is an antiseptic soap with residual effects. The active ingredient is chlorhexadine gluconate (CHG). You’ll apply it a couple times before the procedure to reduce the microbial load on your skin. If I have not given you a bottle, you should be able to find some at a pharmacy.

Why?

For this procedure, we want to minimize the potential for surgical site infections, especially antibiotic-resistant strains. Skin can’t be sterilized pre-procedure - it has too many holes and layers for that. Instead, we try to minimize the microbial load for the area we’ll be operating on, and a little bit around that.

How?

Do these steps BOTH the night before the procedure, and the morning of:

1. Shower normally with soap and water.
2. Turn off the shower.
3. Put one teaspoon of Hibiclens on your skin on the area we’ll be working on, and a foot or so around it. Rub it in gently. Do not allow solution to come in contact with your face, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and genitals.
4. Allow the Hibiclens solution to sit on your skin for 2-5 minutes.
5. Turn the water back on and rinse very well with warm water.
6. Do not use your regular soap after using and rinsing Hibiclens.
7. Pat yourself dry with a clean towel.
8. Do not use lotion, powders or perfumes on the areas cleaned with Hibiclens.
9. Do not shave the areas cleaned with Hibiclens.
10. Put on clean clothes, and sleep on freshly cleaned sheets, if possible.

Additional Information

Try not to get any bad injuries in the week or so leading up to the procedure. Cut down on smoking if possible. Eat, rest, and stay hydrated. Don't shave the area for a few days prior.