The Effectiveness of Waxing or Epilation Compared to Conventional Methods of Hair Removal in Reducing the Incidence of Surgical Site Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of waxing and mechanical epilation as preoperative hair removal methods in reducing surgical site infections (SSIs). Despite screening 576 records, no studies met the inclusion criteria, highlighting a significant gap in the literature. The review suggests that while these methods are unexplored in the preoperative setting, they may offer physiological advantages by activating stem cells within hair follicles, potentially accelerating wound healing. However, further research is needed to assess their safety, feasibility, and potential to reduce SSI rates, as current understanding is primarily based on animal models.