Do not put on makeup — Some makeup contains metals that may be affected by the MRI machine. Check your makeup to make sure it contains no metals or play it safe and skip putting on makeup until after the scan.
You may wear comfortable clothes that do not contain metal or change into medical scrubs (top and pants) or a hospital gown once you get to the MRI center.
You will be asked to remove any clothing containing metal and all jewelry. You will be provided metal free clothing to change into such as gown, shorts or pants. Lockers are available to safely store all personal items such as wallet, purse, keys, phone and other electronic devices.
Depending on which part of your body is being scanned, you may need to wear a hospital gown during the procedure. If you don't need to wear a gown, you should wear clothes without metal zips, fasteners, buttons, underwire (bras), belts or buckles.
Since the MRI machines are magnets, it is best to not apply deodorants, antiperspirants, perfumes, or body lotions before the examination. These items contain metals that might interfere with the magnetic field inside the MRI machine and cause you to have distorted images and wrong results.
You will not be able to have breakfast the morning of your surgery. You can brush your teeth in the morning, just be sure to spit the water out!
The test usually takes 30 to 60 minutes but can take as long as 2 hours.
don't wear makeup. Some cosmetics contain metals that can interact with MRI magnets, so on the day of the MRI don't wear makeup or nail polish. Also, minimize hair products and forgo antiperspirants and sunscreens, which contain metals, just to be safe.
When it is appropriate for a patient to wear a face mask during an MRI examination, please ensure the face mask contains no metal. If the absence of metal cannot be confirmed and it is determined to be appropriate for the patient to wear a face mask, an alternative mask confirmed to be absent of metal should be used.
For women, if possible, do not wear an underwire bra (the metal can throw off the magnetic field). Sports bras are usually good and we have hospital gowns to change into if necessary. The clasps on the back of a regular bra are not a problem, but avoid wearing bras that have metal parts on the straps.
Wear a Sleeping Mask
For many patients, the moment they realize they are uncomfortable in an MRI scan is when they look up and see that they are in an enclosed space. To prevent this, wear a sleeping mask over your eyes so you won't be able to look around and worry about the space you are in.
Generally, an MRI involves the following: You will be asked to remove all metal objects, including wristwatches, keys and jewellery. These items must be left outside the scan room. In most cases, you are asked to undress and put on a cotton gown.
Various clothing items such as athletic wear (e.g., yoga pants, shirts, etc.), socks, braces, and others may contain metallic threads or metal-based anti-bacterial compounds that may pose a hazard. These items can heat up and burn the patient during an MRI.
Do not put on makeup — Some makeup contains metals that may be affected by the MRI machine. Check your makeup to make sure it contains no metals or play it safe and skip putting on makeup until after the scan.
Generally, MRIs under anesthesia are performed under sedation, although sometimes they are performed under general anesthesia. Sedation is characterized as being in a state between relaxed and very sleepy, but not quite unconscious.
The procedure is painless. You don't feel the magnetic field or radio waves, and there are no moving parts around you. During the MRI scan, the internal part of the magnet produces repetitive tapping, thumping and other noises. You might be given earplugs or have music playing to help block the noise.
We will provide safe and comfortable clothing to wear for your exam. We also encourage you to avoid wearing clothing items that indicate the use of “coolmax” or “silver technology” for your exam. These terms typically indicate the use of metal threads.
If you're familiar with imaging centers or scans, such as MRI and CT, then you're likely aware of the fact that prior to any of these scans, a radiology technologist will politely ask you to please remove your jewelry and clothing and change into a specified gown. We ask our patients to do this to prevent injury.
Cotton, polyester, and wool are best. Don't worry about the snaps or zippers on pants, as that metal can be allowed into the scanning facility. If you have questions about these procedures, please feel free to contact the study coordinator.
It will not interfere with the results of your MRI. That being said, it is always a good idea to alert your doctor or medical technician that you have permanent makeup, as part of their standard safety screening.
You must avoid wearing any false or magnetic eyelashes as the force of the MRI magnet may remove these, potentially causing you harm. This may also affect the quality of the scan images.
Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, mercury, aluminum, zinc, chromium and iron are found in a wide variety of personal care products including lipstick, whitening toothpaste, eyeliner and nail color. Some metals are intentionally added as ingredients, while others are contaminants.
They can also drive you home if you have sedative medicine during the examination. If you do take sedative medication, you cannot drive yourself. Ask your caregiver if you want a family member to remain with you during the examination. Your family may also wait for you in the waiting room until your MRI is done.
Plan for this ahead of time by having someone either come with you or asking someone to pick you up once the procedure is complete. If the sedative wasn't part of the plan or you forgot to secure a ride beforehand, don't attempt to drive yourself home anyway. Call someone and wait for them to come get you.
Radiologists recommend fasting prior to undergoing a CT or MRI with contrast because of the possible side effects of the contrast agents. While rare, side effects of contrast can cause nausea or vomiting during the test. Vomiting while lying down could cause food blockages in your airway, known as asphyxia.