cleanser and moisturizer containing a retinoid or other ingredients, such as vitamin C, niacinamide, KA, licorice root extract, AzA, and TXA, is frequently recommended depending on the patient's facial skin condition.4,5,14-17 These products may impact melanogenesis or melanosome transfer, while others enhance melanosome degradation.15
Measures During the Treatment Phase
Before nonenergy-based and injectable treatments, avoid drying alcohol, retinol peels, and agents such as acetylsalicylic acid, high-dose vitamin E and omega 3, ginkgo biloba, and garlic that can enhance the risk of bleeding and or bruising, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), among other agents, is recommended.4,5,14,15 The panel agreed that depending on the depth of the peel, avoiding them for at least two weeks or longer prior to the procedure is recommended, together with avoiding unprotected sun exposure.
Before injectable treatments, the patient's skin should be clean so makeup or other material does not cover or camouflage, for example, blood vessels. Facial makeup must be fully removed, and the skin should be cleansed with a gentle facial cleanser. Upon performing the procedure, typically, an antimicrobial solution is applied to the treatment area.4,5,14 Agents such as isopropyl alcohol, chlorhexidine, or hypochlorous acid (HOCl) are frequently applied for skin preparation.4,5 Isopropyl alcohol, although inexpensive, can irritate the skin and is flammable, whereas chlorhexidine, although effective, has ocular and ototoxicity.4,5,15,19,20 Stabilized HOCl for skin preparation before and after nonenergy or injectable treatments is highly active against bacterial, viral, and fungal microorganisms.21,22 When choosing topical antiseptics, antimicrobial resistance should be taken into account, and factors such as geographic region/practice setting (outpatient versus hospital-based) associated with microbial epidemiology.4,5
