After brain surgery, Tips for washing your hair and head?

Posted by gerrica @gerrica, Jan 16 9:12pm

I just had brain surgery the other day.I need to know how to wash. I need help

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Brain Tumor Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 2 8:56pm

In reply to @gerrica "Im in some Resources financially. I need help for foods and dayly needs but dont have..." + (show)

@gerrica, regarding getting resources and financial assistance, please ask to see the social worker at the hospital where you had surgery. They can help connect you with community resources for at home care and more.

There's also FindHelp.
FindHelp https://www.findhelp.org/ is a resource directory that helps people find and connect to social services in their area. Services include food pantries, legal services, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more. Just enter your Zip code.

There are many low cost, no cost services in the FindHelp directory that may be helpful for you in your search for resources to cover daily needs.

dica | @dica | Feb 8 6:46pm

Hi everyone, I'm 70 years old and having a frontal meningioma that is pressing on my brain and pushing out on my skull removed surgically in 3 days. It is causing me to have seizures and lost of consciousness. My Dr. has put me on anti-seizure medication, Levetiracetam. Not sure the seizures will stop even after surgery but I can only hope. Can't drive unless the seizures stop. I was told and understand that there may be emotional and physical changes in me. Not really looking forward to any of that but I will be happy when it is over and done with.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 21 9:13pm

In reply to @dica "Hi everyone, I'm 70 years old and having a frontal meningioma that is pressing on my..." + (show)

@dica, I hope you are recovering well from surgery. If you have a moment, I'd like to hear how you are doing.

ittybitty | @ittybitty | Jul 23 3:17pm

After my first surgery (occipital), I left my hair on top, however it is a pain to wash and try to get the dried and matted blood out since where the incision was didn’t leave much movement in my neck. I couldn’t tilt my head back and when washing it was constantly getting snagged on my staples. It looks like a second surgery may be in my near future and wondered if anyone else found anything that helped make this part of the recovery a little less difficult. I contemplated shaving my whole head last time and while my first 6 weeks or so of showers would have been much easier, I know I am glad to still have my hair now. Not sure I’d rock the bald head with the size of my ears 😆

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | 2 days ago

In reply to @ittybitty "After my first surgery (occipital), I left my hair on top, however it is a pain..." + (show)

@ittybitty, I moved your question about managing your hair and washing to this existing discussion:
- After brain surgery, Tips for washing your hair and head?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-just-had-brain-surgery-the-other-day-n-i-need-to-know-how-to-wash/

I did this so you can get helpful tips from fellow members who have had brain surgery like @gerrica @jeanneoc @dbicher @catv7 @mkoch and others.

@ittybitty, how are you doing?

jeanneoc | @jeanneoc | 2 days ago

In reply to @ittybitty "After my first surgery (occipital), I left my hair on top, however it is a pain..." + (show)

@ittybitty
Hi, I totally get it about hair getting tangled, wondering if you should shave head. So sorry you may need a second surgery🙏🫂My hair is shoulder length. After my craniotomy the nurse gave me a large hair pick, and a detangling shampoo. I admit that I did catch the pick on my 60ish staples a couple times but learned to gently pick through my non affected side. It was way easier than using my wet brush or any comb. Hope thats helpful! Also consider time of year, I was covered w bald spots after radiation back in 2010 and its COLD w less hair. Wishing you an easy healing journey 🙏🫂❣️

k5t | @k5t | 2 days ago

In reply to @jeanneoc "@ittybitty Hi, I totally get it about hair getting tangled, wondering if you should shave head...." + (show)

@jeanneoc The American Cancer Society had a service at the Minnesota Mayo Clinic. They had a range of hair / head care products and advice. It’s been 8 years since I was there. It might be worth checking out.

jeanneoc | @jeanneoc | 1 day ago

Also could ask surgeons office at pre op appt. because it seemed like routine care in Nov 2025 (my craniotomy was the ) maybe its just part of the care now🙏❤️

methel | @methel | 1 day ago

In reply to @ittybitty "After my first surgery (occipital), I left my hair on top, however it is a pain..." + (show)

@ittybitty

Part of my head but not the entire head was shaved for the surgery. After I came home, I was ok with how I looked but my son said looking at me was driving him nuts. So he took me to get a really short haircut (not shaved, but close). And I liked the look. I still keep much shorter hair than I ever did prior to my surgery. I was forced to reinvent myself and liked the change. Good luck as you go forward.