When can I get my incisions wet after a facelift? Most patients are surprised to hear this… you can usually shower about 48 hours after surgery. With my deep plane technique and meticulous closure, incisions are carefully protected. After about two days, you can typically let water gently run over them in the shower. No scrubbing. No direct pressure. Just gentle water and pat dry. What you must avoid is soaking. That means no baths, pools, hot tubs, or ocean for about 3 to 4 weeks, or until everything is fully sealed and you’ve been cleared. Submerging incisions too early can increase swelling and infection risk. So the rule is simple: Gentle shower water after 48 hours is fine. Soaking waits several weeks. Always follow your specific post-operative instructions, as healing timelines can vary slightly from patient to patient. Dr. Novis is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon in North Myrtle Beach, SC, specializing in deep plane facelift and neck lift procedures perfor...