Let’s face it—no one wants to take chances when it comes to their family jewels. The good news? The risk of infection after a vasectomy is already incredibly low—less than 1 in 100 men experience it. That’s rarer than spotting someone actually assembling furniture without swearing.
Still, even tiny risks can be reduced further with a little preparation on your part. It all starts with some simple grooming—and no, we’re not talking about a trip to the barber. We’re talking about giving your scrotum a haircut. Let’s dive into why a well-timed shave can help keep everything clean, smooth, and infection-free after your vasectomy.
Why Do I Need To Shave Before My Vasectomy?
Bugs love hair, so let’s get rid of it. As harmless as hair might seem, its prime real estate for bacteria. And the hair on your scrotum? That’s their version of beachfront property.
During a vasectomy, a small incision is made on the scrotum. While the overall risk of infection is already extremely low, bacteria hiding in or around the hair can increase the chance of germs making their way into the incision. So, it’s a no-brainer: no hair, fewer bugs, and a much lower chance of infection.
Timing Your Shave Is Key
Before you grab a razor and go to town, here’s the thing: shaving at the wrong time can actually work against you. Shaving sensitive areas like your scrotum can create microscopic cuts in the skin. And guess what? Bacteria love those, too.
That’s why shaving on the day of your vasectomy is a no-go. The trick is to shave 2-3 days before your procedure. This gives your skin time to heal and keeps things as smooth and bug-free as possible.
So, the steps are:
- Shave your scrotum 2-3 days before your vasectomy.
- Leave it alone after that—no shaving, trimming, or fussing on the day of your Snip.
What If I Forget to Shave?
Hey, it happens. Maybe you were too busy, or maybe the thought of taking a razor to sensitive territory made you put it off. Whatever the reason, don’t worry—it’s not a big deal if you missed the 2-3 day window.
Here’s the simple rule: if you forget to shave, leave it alone. Don’t shave at all.
That’s right —going in with a full forest is better than a fresh shave on the day of your vasectomy. Why? Because shaving right before your vasectomy can create tiny, invisible cuts in the skin that bacteria absolutely love, which could slightly increase the risk of infection. On the flip side, showing up with unshaved hair won’t significantly increase your already tiny risk of infection.
Skipping the shave won’t increase your risk of infection. Remember, the risk is already super low, and shaving ahead of time is just about making it even lower. If it didn’t happen, no problem. Just come as you are—we’ve got you covered (hair and all).
Do I Need Antibiotics Before a Vasectomy?
You might notice some vasectomy providers prescribe antibiotics before the procedure as an extra precaution. But at Snip, we don’t. Why? Because they’re simply not necessary.
As the original vasectomy clinic in Aotearoa, we’ve been doing vasectomies for years—thousands of them—and we’ve seen no evidence that pre-procedure antibiotics make any difference. And the science agrees with us. A large international study involving over 100,000 men confirmed that antibiotics before a vasectomy don’t actually reduce the risk or prevent infection after a vasectomy.
Instead of relying on unnecessary medication, we focus on what truly matters: good surgical technique, excellent hygiene, and making sure you’re fully prepared for your procedure. That’s what gets the best results—no extra pills required.
The Smooth Plan for a Smooth Recovery
Here’s how to keep things running as smoothly as your freshly shaved scrotum:
- Shave 2-3 days before your vasectomy.
- Skip the shave if you forget—full fuzz is fine.
- Keep up good general hygiene, and follow any aftercare instructions we give you.
That’s it! With a little prep work on your part—like perfectly timed shaving—you’re giving yourself the best shot at a smooth recovery (and we mean smooth in more ways than one) and you can reduce the risk of infection even more.
Ready to become a Contraception hero? We’re here to help. Book your vasectomy today, and let us make the journey as smooth as your freshly groomed scrotum.