Peri‑procedural Skincare for Nonsurgical Aesthetics: Evidence, Expert Consensus, and Practical Protocols
Table of Contents
- Key Highlights:
- Introduction
- Why periprocedural skincare changes outcomes
- What the evidence base shows
- Translating mechanisms into ingredients: what works and why
- Procedure‑specific protocols: timing, ingredients, and practical steps
- Managing adverse events through skincare
- Personalizing care by skin phototype and risk profile
- Practical, sample regimens (clinician templates)
- Evidence gaps and priorities for future research
- Integration into clinical practice: counseling and workflow
- Case examples illustrating impact
- Practical cautions and contraindications
- Measuring success in practice
- FAQ
Key Highlights:
- Targeted pre‑ and post‑procedure skincare—cleanser, occlusive/moisturizing support, antioxidants, depigmenting agents, and broad‑spectrum sunscreen—consistently improves recovery and can enhance outcomes across injectables, microneedling, energy‑based devices, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion.
- Highest-quality clinical evidence supports petrolatum‑based ointments and antioxidant formulations after ablative laser resurfacing; other procedure‑specific recommendations rely on lower‑level studies plus multinational expert consensus and clinical experience.
- Personalized regimens that consider procedure depth, timing of wound healing, and patient skin phototype (Fitzpatrick I–VI) are essential to reduce adverse events such as prolonged erythema and post‑inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
Introduction
Nonsurgical aesthetic procedures—injectables, microneedling, lasers, peels, and microdermabrasion—have become mainstream components of facial rejuvenation. As volumes rise, patients and clinicians are focused not only on immediate clinical effects but on recovery time, durability of results, and natural appearance. Peri‑procedural topical skin care is an accessible adjunct that may shorten downtime, reduce complications, and prolong benefits. Yet the literature is heterogeneous: a minority of randomized or controlled trials test specific regimens, and many practical protocols are derived from expert experience. This article synthesizes current evidence and international expert consensus, explains the biological rationale behind recommended ingredients and timing, and provides concrete, adaptable regimens clinicians can use to tailor care to procedure type and patient risk profile.
Why this matters now: patients increasingly prioritize “skin quality”—even tone, radiance, flexibility—alongside volumetric correction or wrinkle smoothing. A deliberate, evidence‑informed approach to pre‑ and post‑procedure skincare reduces pigmentary risk, supports barrier repair, and can enhance patient satisfaction.
Why periprocedural skincare changes outcomes
All minimally invasive aesthetic treatments cause some degree of tissue disruption. The character and depth of that injury determine the local inflammatory response, barrier impairment, and subsequent healing trajectory:
- Injectables (neuromodulators, hyaluronic acid fillers, biostimulators) produce localized tissue trauma from needle or cannula passage and from the product itself, with risks of bruising, swelling, and rare late complications.
- Microneedling intentionally creates microscopic epidermal and dermal channels to stimulate collagen; those micropores require several days to re‑establish barrier function.
- Energy‑based devices range from nonablative modalities that heat the dermis while preserving the epidermis, to ablative lasers that remove or denature epidermal tissue and cause substantial barrier loss.
- Chemical peels produce controlled epidermal or dermal injury that must re‑epithelialize.
- Microdermabrasion removes superficial corneocytes and can transiently increase transepidermal water loss.
Peri‑procedural skincare aims to: (1) optimize the skin bed before treatment, reducing infection and particulate contamination; (2) minimize inflammatory overreaction and oxidative stress immediately after treatment; (3) restore barrier function to prevent transepidermal water loss, irritation, and PIH; and (4) selectively reintroduce active ingredients (retinoids, depigmenting agents, growth factor products) when the wound environment is appropriate. The clinical benefits reported in trials and expert series include reduced erythema, less edema and pain, fewer pigmentary complications, and sometimes faster re‑epithelialization.
What the evidence base shows
A systematic review incorporating 104 publications across procedure types reveals uneven but directionally consistent results.
- Energy‑based procedures (70 publications) provide the largest body of evidence. For ablative lasers, randomized and comparative studies most consistently support petrolatum‑based occlusion and topical antioxidant/peptide regimens to accelerate healing and reduce oozing and erythema.
- Nonablative modalities and IPL studies show benefit from topical antioxidant and depigmenting combinations in improving pigmentary and photodamage outcomes.
- Injectables, microneedling, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion have fewer high‑level trials; however, available controlled and open‑label studies indicate advantages from cleansing, moisturization, antioxidants, and sun protection. A small number of split‑face trials demonstrated improved outcomes with topical peptides or vitamin C adjuncts.
- Across procedures, the literature contains relatively few trials that compare a full skin care routine with no regimen, limiting causal inference. Many recommendations rely on lower‑level clinical trials (level ≤ 3), observational data, and the consensus of experienced dermatologists and plastic surgeons from multiple countries.
Overall, the highest‑quality and most reproducible findings apply to post‑ablative laser care (petrolatum, occlusive dressings; adjunctive antioxidants and growth factor products). For other procedures, the evidence supports principles—hygiene, barrier support, photoprotection—but permits flexibility in product choice and timing.
Translating mechanisms into ingredients: what works and why
Understanding active ingredients clarifies when and how to use them.
- Gentle cleansers: Nonirritating syndet cleansers reduce surface bioburden and remove makeup and particulates preprocedurally without stripping lipids. Preprocedural hygiene reduces infection risk and particulate transfer into microchannels.
- Occlusives/Barrier moisturizers (petrolatum, glycerin‑rich formulations): Provide immediate physical protection, prevent fluid loss, and reduce oozing after ablative injuries. Randomized split‑face trials and comparative studies favor petrolatum as the early standard of care after deep resurfacing.
- Emollients with niacinamide: Support barrier restoration, reduce inflammation, and have anti‑pigmentary effects. Niacinamide demonstrates anti‑inflammatory and melanogenesis‑modulating properties that are useful across many procedure types.
- Antioxidants (vitamin C [ascorbic acid], vitamin E, ferulic acid): Reduce oxidative stress and may hasten recovery, mitigate erythema, and support collagen synthesis. Studies of laser‑assisted delivery of vitamin C and combined antioxidant serums show accelerated healing and improved photodamage outcomes.
- Peptides and growth factor–enriched formulations (tripeptides, hexapeptides, cell‑conditioned media): May upregulate collagen and elastin synthesis and enhance aesthetic recovery after resurfacing. Clinical trials have reported faster healing and reduced downtime when used post‑laser.
- Retinoids (tretinoin, retinol): Preconditioning with low‑strength tretinoin (0.05–0.1%) can accelerate re‑epithelialization and improve superficial peel outcomes in lighter phototypes. In darker skin, retinoids can increase irritation and PIH risk and should be discontinu ed or used cautiously.
- Depigmenting agents (hydroquinone, azelaic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide): Useful to reduce baseline melanogenesis and prevent PIH after inflammatory procedures. Many protocols use a pre‑treatment depigmentation phase for melasma or when higher PIH risk exists.
- Sunscreen with broad spectrum UV and visible‑light protection: Central to all peri‑procedural regimens. Visible light contributes to PIH in darker phototypes; sunscreens with pigments (zinc/titanium dioxide or iron oxides in tinted formulations) improve visible‑light coverage.
- Hyaluronic acid (topical, fragmented): Moisturizing, provides substrate to support barrier function; fragmented HA has been used as part of post‑ablative and postinjectable regimens to promote hydration and comfort.
Procedure‑specific protocols: timing, ingredients, and practical steps
The following protocols combine the best available evidence with international expert consensus and clinical pragmatism. They are meant as templates; clinicians should individualize for patient history, skin phototype, and product tolerance.
General principles before proceeding:
- Review medications and topical agents. Discontinue photosensitizing or irritating topicals (eg, strong acids, high‑strength retinoids) based on procedure risk and phototype.
- Counsel patients on strict photoprotection and avoidance of tanning or intense sun exposure starting at least 2 weeks preprocedure if PIH risk is a concern.
- Avoid makeup and occlusive cosmetics the day before procedures that breach the barrier (microneedling, lasers, peels).
- Patch test novel products for patients with history of contact dermatitis or multiple sensitivities.
- Injectables (neuromodulators, hyaluronic acid fillers, biostimulators)
Preprocedure:
- Gentle cleansing morning/night for 7–14 days; avoid heavy acids and abrasive scrubs.
- Maintain a nonirritating moisturizer to optimize barrier and skin quality.
- For patients with hyperpigmentation concerns, a depigmentation regimen (eg, hydroquinone 2–4% or nonhydroquinone alternatives plus sunblock) for 2–4 weeks may help reduce PIH risk.
Immediate postprocedure (days 0–3):
- Cold compresses as needed for swelling; gentle syndet cleanser twice daily.
- Apply a gentle, noncomedogenic moisturizer twice daily. For injection sites, an emollient or moisturizing serum can reduce discomfort.
- Avoid strenuous exercise and significant heat for 24–48 hours.
Days 3–14:
- Continue moisturizer twice daily; alternate nightly use of an antioxidant/peptide formulation to support recovery and collagen remodeling.
- Sunscreen every morning; reapply regularly during outdoor exposure.
- For biostimulators (calcium hydroxyapatite or poly‑L‑lactic acid), immediate post‑treatment massage followed by patient‑performed gentle massage twice daily for 1 week is recommended to ensure even distribution.
Rationale and evidence:
- Small clinical studies show reduced bruising and improved perceived outcomes with adjunct topical serums post‑injection. Cleansers and moisturizers support recovery while antioxidants and peptides may enhance tissue remodeling.
- Microneedling and RF Microneedling
Preprocedure:
- Discontinue any strong topical acids 3–7 days prior.
- Use gentle cleanser and remove makeup the day before; advise patients to avoid heavy cosmetics immediately prior to the procedure.
- For melasma or pigmentary concerns, a preconditioning phase with depigmenting agents (eg, kojic, azelaic acid, low‑strength hydroquinone) may begin 4–6 weeks prior if tolerated.
Immediate postprocedure (0–48 hours):
- Apply a sterile, calming occlusive or barrier moisturizer immediately to cover micropores. A product with antioxidants or peptides is appropriate after the initial 24–48 hours if no infection signs.
- Avoid sunscreen with potentially irritating chemical filters the first 24 hours if erythema is significant; a physical mineral sunscreen is preferred once reapplication is needed.
- Avoid makeup for at least 24 hours.
Days 2–7:
- Gentle cleansing twice daily; continue moisturizing. Introduce topical antioxidants (eg, vitamin C serums in stable anhydrous formulations) when the barrier begins to restore.
- Strict photoprotection to prevent PIH, particularly in Fitzpatrick IV–VI.
Evidence highlights:
- Several studies investigating RF microneedling plus a postprocedure protocol (gentle cleanser, moisturizer, antioxidant serum) reported faster resolution of erythema and improved melasma outcomes with topical vitamin C vs platelet‑rich plasma in split‑face studies.
- Energy‑Based Devices
Nonablative lasers and IPL (subepidermal heating, minimal barrier loss)
Preprocedure:
- Consider a preconditioning regimen of antioxidant topical and gentle moisturizer for 2–4 weeks to reduce baseline inflammation.
- For darker skin and pigmentary disorders, initiate depigmentation therapy 4–8 weeks prior if indicated.
Immediate postprocedure (0–48 hours):
- Use a calming, occlusive moisturizer to soothe the skin and prevent transcutaneous water loss.
- For mild erythema, topical antioxidants can be introduced after 24–48 hours to mitigate oxidative injury.
Days 3–14:
- Introduce niacinamide‑containing moisturizers and, if indicated, depigmenting agents around 7–10 days after treatment.
- Continue rigorous photoprotection with a tinted, broad‑spectrum sunscreen that includes visible‑light coverage for pigment‑prone skin.
Ablative laser resurfacing (CO2, erbium; epidermal removal and dermal remodeling)
Preprocedure:
- Optimize skin condition with mild emollients and, in selected light‑skinned patients, short‑term tretinoin preconditioning (0.05–0.1% nightly) for 2–4 weeks to increase epidermal turnover and potentially accelerate re‑epithelialization. For darker phototypes, avoid preoperative tretinoin to reduce dyschromia risk.
- Counsel regarding expected downtime and the role of wound care.
Immediate postprocedure (day 0–48 hours):
- Petrolatum‑based ointment applied liberally and frequently is the evidence‑backed standard to reduce oozing, protect the wound, and accelerate re‑epithelialization.
- Occlusive dressings (where applicable) may be used per device protocol.
- Avoid antiseptics or alcohol‑based cleansers that desiccate wounds.
Days 3–14:
- Continue petrolatum until re‑epithelialization is complete; then transition to noncomedogenic moisturizers containing niacinamide and fragmented hyaluronic acid to support barrier restoration.
- Start topical antioxidants and peptide‑based healing regimens after the initial 48–72 hours based on recovery.
- Introduce sunscreen with visible‑light protection immediately once healed to prevent PIH. Several split‑face and randomized trials document improved healing and reduced erythema with antioxidant and peptide regimens post‑ablative resurfacing.
- Chemical Peels (superficial, medium, deep)
Preprocedure:
- For superficial peels, preconditioning with gentle exfoliants and possibly low‑strength tretinoin may enhance outcomes in light skin.
- For melasma or pigmentary conditions, a 4–8 week pre‑treatment depigmentation regimen (hydroquinone or alternatives) reduces PIH risk.
- In darker skin, stop retinoids 1–2 weeks before peels to reduce dyschromia and scarring risk.
Immediate postprocedure (0–48 hours):
- Start gentle cleansing and a lipid‑rich barrier moisturizer to minimize discomfort and transepidermal water loss.
- Avoid irritating actives during re‑epithelialization.
Days 3–14:
- Reintroduce antioxidant serums and niacinamide to normalize melanogenesis and reduce inflammation.
- Sunscreen is essential from day one outdoors; for deeper peels, start mineral or tinted sunscreens once re‑epithelialization allows.
Evidence and caution:
- Limited trials suggest that cleansers, moisturizers, tretinoin/hydroquinone combinations, and sunscreen improve tolerability and efficacy for peels. Deep peels and medium TCA require strict patient selection in darker phototypes due to PIH risk.
- Microdermabrasion
Preprocedure:
- Maintain gentle cleanser and avoid potent acids prior to the session. Tretinoin can be used preoperatively with caution.
- Remove makeup and emulsions the day before.
Immediate postprocedure (0–7 days):
- Noncomedogenic barrier moisturizer to reduce transepidermal water loss and discomfort.
- Avoid potent actives for at least 48–72 hours.
Days 3–14:
- Antioxidant serums and gradual reintroduction of tretinoin (if previously tolerated) can enhance long‑term outcomes. Two small trials reported reduced milia and PIH with postoperative tretinoin.
Evidence summary:
- The microdermabrasion literature is limited; small clinical studies support cleansers, moisturizers, tretinoin cream, and antioxidant sera for tolerability and outcomes.
Managing adverse events through skincare
Peri‑procedural skincare reduces several common adverse events:
- Bruising and swelling: Adjunct post‑injection serums and topical hemostatic/anti‑inflammatory strategies along with cold and elevation reduce visible bruising after injectables.
- Erythema and tenderness: Antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory topical regimens after microneedling and IPL reduce erythema, burning, and stinging.
- Post‑inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH): Preconditioning with depigmenting agents, strict sun avoidance, and early photoprotection reduce PIH risk, particularly in Fitzpatrick IV–VI. Niacinamide and topical antioxidants support melanogenesis control.
- Prolonged oozing and delayed re‑epithelialization: Petrolatum and appropriate occlusion after ablative lasers accelerate barrier restoration and limit fluid loss.
- Infection and particulate contamination: Thorough preprocedure cleansing and avoidance of makeup immediately before procedures reduce risk of introducing microbes or inorganic particles into compromised skin.
Across procedure types, the evidence base for AEs is sparse—only a few randomized or controlled studies directly assessed AE reduction attributable to topical regimens. That gap explains why many recommendations incorporate best‑practice dermatologic wound‑care principles and expert consensus.
Personalizing care by skin phototype and risk profile
Tailoring regimens to Fitzpatrick skin phototypes and individual risk factors is critical:
- Fitzpatrick I–II: More tolerant of retinoids and deeper interventions; preconditioning with tretinoin and aggressive resurfacing strategies can be appropriate, with careful photoprotection afterward.
- Fitzpatrick III: Intermediate risk; individualized assessment to weigh benefits of preconditioning vs PIH risk.
- Fitzpatrick IV–VI: Highest risk for PIH after inflammatory procedures. Avoid aggressive preoperative retinoid exposure immediately before procedures; prefer preconditioning with depigmenting agents and conservative procedure settings. Tinted mineral sunscreens and sun avoidance are essential.
Other risk modifiers:
- History of keloids or hypertrophic scarring—avoid deep thermal or chemical injuries or proceed with extreme caution.
- Active acne or rosacea—stabilize inflammatory disease before performing resurfacing or microneedling.
- Medications (isotretinoin): Systemic retinoids require appropriate surgical/procedural timing considerations; current practice often recommends deferring deep resurfacing for a variable interval after isotretinoin use.
Practical, sample regimens (clinician templates)
Below are example regimens clinicians can adapt.
A) Standard injectable patient (nonpigmentary concern, Fitzpatrick II–III)
- Preprocedure (7 days): Gentle syndet cleanser twice daily; lightweight noncomedogenic moisturizer nightly.
- Day 0–3: Cleanse morning/evening; emollient moisturizer applied to injection sites; cold compress PRN.
- Day 3–14: Morning antioxidant serum (alternate days) and SPF 30+ mineral sunscreen; nightly peptide/repair product.
B) RF microneedling for melasma (Fitzpatrick IV)
- Preprocedure (4–6 weeks): Depigmenting cream (eg, azelaic acid or kojic acid + sunscreen), avoid retinoids in the 1–2 weeks immediately before.
- Day 0: Gentle cleansing; apply sterile calming moisturizer/occlusive dressing; avoid makeup 48 hours.
- Day 2–7: Continue calming moisturizer; introduce antioxidant serum if tolerated; strict tinted sunscreen outdoors.
C) Full‑face ablative CO2 resurfacing (Fitzpatrick II)
- Preprocedure (2–4 weeks): Consider nightly tretinoin 0.05% (if tolerated) to precondition; stop topical irritants.
- Day 0–48 hours: Frequent petrolatum ointment; occlusive dressing per protocol.
- Day 3–10: Transition to niacinamide‑containing, noncomedogenic moisturizer; begin peptide/antioxidant regimen once re‑epithelialization allows.
- Post‑healing: Daily tinted broad‑spectrum sunscreen with physical filters and iron oxides.
These templates prioritize safety: start simple, escalate active ingredients when healing permits, and maintain photoprotection throughout.
Evidence gaps and priorities for future research
The current evidence supports core principles but leaves important questions unanswered:
- Lack of large randomized split‑face trials comparing full periprocedural regimens to placebo/no treatment across diverse skin types.
- Few head‑to‑head comparisons of alternative topical formulations (eg, petrolatum vs advanced hydrogel dressings, different antioxidant combinations).
- Limited long‑term data on whether peri‑procedural skincare meaningfully extends the durability of injectable or device‑based outcomes beyond healing benefits.
- Need for standardized outcome measures (time to re‑epithelialization, quantitative erythema, objective PIH scales) to harmonize results across studies.
Priority studies should include diverse patient populations (especially Fitzpatrick IV–VI), standardized regimens, and objective endpoints such as imaging‑based erythema quantification and validated pigment indices.
Integration into clinical practice: counseling and workflow
To implement peri‑procedural skincare effectively:
- Build standard preprocedure checklists that include current topical regimens, allergy history, and cosmetic product use.
- Provide patients with written, time‑stamped instructions (eg, “stop retinoids X days before and Y days after”), including product examples and rationale.
- Stock or recommend a small formulary of clinician‑approved products: gentle syndet cleanser, petrolatum ointment, niacinamide moisturizer, antioxidant serum (stable vitamin C formulation), and a tinted mineral sunscreen.
- Use photographic documentation to demonstrate healing progression and the benefits of adherence; this supports patient education and compliance.
- Establish follow‑up touchpoints (24–72 hours and 1–2 weeks) to monitor healing and adjust regimens.
These steps allow consistent delivery of best‑practice peri‑procedural care while enabling personalization.
Case examples illustrating impact
Case 1: Combined filler plus topical regimen A 52‑year‑old woman received hyaluronic acid midface fillers and started a targeted skincare protocol including gentle cleanser, daily niacinamide moisturizer, nightly peptide/antioxidant serum, and strict daily SPF. At 8‑week follow‑up she reported reduced bruising and longer‑lasting radiance compared with prior filler treatments without a regimen. Small controlled studies mirror these patient experiences, suggesting improved patient‑reported outcomes when topical regimens accompany injectables.
Case 2: Microneedling for melasma in darker skin A patient with Fitzpatrick V underwent RF microneedling with a preconditioning phase of azelaic acid and zinc oxide sunscreen. Postprocedure she used barrier moisturization and began topical vitamin C after 48 hours. Compared with historical flares after microneedling without depigmentation preconditioning, this course demonstrated reduced PIH and better color uniformity—consistent with split‑face studies showing vitamin C advantage over platelet‑rich plasma in melasma.
Case 3: Ablative laser with petrolatum vs alternative dressing In multiple randomized split‑face trials, petrolatum after CO2 resurfacing reduced oozing and accelerated re‑epithelialization. Patients who used petrolatum returned to makeup sooner, had less fluid loss, and reported higher early comfort scores than those using alternative, less occlusive regimens.
These vignettes emphasize that peri‑procedural skincare is not cosmetic fluff but an integral part of procedural outcomes.
Practical cautions and contraindications
- Avoid introducing multiple new topical actives immediately before a procedure; preoperative irritation increases complication risk.
- Patch test for individuals with a history of contact dermatitis when adding growth‑factor rich or peptide‑heavy formulations.
- Exercise caution with aggressive preconditioning (tretinoin, high‑strength acids) in darker skin types shortly before a resurfacing or deep peel.
- Topical antibiotics are not routinely required; reserve for clinical signs of infection.
- For patients on systemic isotretinoin, follow current surgical/procedural timing recommendations and coordinate with their prescribing physician.
Measuring success in practice
Adopt simple, reproducible metrics:
- Time to re‑epithelialization (days to no open areas).
- Patient‑reported outcome measures (pain scores, downtime, satisfaction).
- Clinical signs (erythema index, edema).
- Incidence of PIH and other AEs at 1 and 3 months.
Tracking these outcomes supports quality improvement and can build the evidence base for practice‑level protocols.
FAQ
Q: When should sunscreen be resumed after a resurfacing procedure? A: For nonablative procedures, sunscreen should be used immediately outdoors; for ablative resurfacing, begin photoprotection as soon as the skin is no longer weeping and re‑epithelialization permits (often within several days). Tinted mineral sunscreens with visible‑light protection are preferable for pigment‑prone patients.
Q: Should patients stop retinoids before a procedure? A: Decisions depend on phototype and procedure depth. In lighter skin, low‑strength tretinoin can be used as a preconditioning agent for superficial peels and some laser procedures; stop only briefly if instructed. For medium‑to‑deep peels and in darker skin, discontinue retinoids 1–2 weeks preprocedure to reduce dyschromia risk.
Q: Are there topical agents proven to reduce bruising after filler injections? A: Limited evidence suggests that certain postinjection serums and cold therapy reduce bruising. Adjunctive topical hemostatic approaches may help, but technique, aspiration practices, and beverage/medication review (eg, NSAIDs, supplements) remain central to bruising prevention.
Q: Can I apply vitamin C immediately after microneedling? A: Microneedling creates open microchannels. If using a stable, sterile vitamin C formulation, immediate application has been used successfully in trials and may improve pigment outcomes; balance application against infection control and product sterility. Many practitioners wait 24–48 hours before applying antioxidant serums.
Q: What moisturizer should I recommend after a deep peel or ablative laser? A: In the immediate phase, petrolatum‑based ointments applied frequently are supported by evidence to accelerate healing and reduce oozing. After re‑epithelialization, transition to a noncomedogenic moisturizer with niacinamide, fragmented HA, and glycerin.
Q: How long should depigmenting agents be used to reduce PIH risk? A: For melasma and high PIH risk patients, a 4–8 week preconditioning phase is common. Postprocedure, maintain depigmenting therapy as clinically indicated, with ongoing sunscreen protection.
Q: Are peptide or growth factor products worth the cost? A: Several randomized and split‑face trials show enhanced healing and reduced downtime with peptide‑containing or cell‑conditioned media formulations after ablative procedures. Cost–benefit depends on patient priorities; discuss expected benefits and set realistic expectations.
Q: What is the single most important piece of peri‑procedural skincare? A: Rigorous photoprotection—broad‑spectrum sunscreen with UVA/UVB and visible‑light coverage—is the cornerstone. It reduces inflammation, minimizes PIH risk, and preserves results.
Q: How should regimens differ for darker skin? A: Prioritize PIH prevention: preconditioning with safe depigmenting agents, conservative energy/device settings, avoidance of last‑minute irritants (retinoids/strong acids), and early, consistent use of tinted mineral sunscreens. When introducing active ingredients, do so gradually and monitor closely.
Q: What research is most needed to standardize care? A: Large, multicenter randomized split‑face trials comparing standardized regimens to no regimen across diverse phototypes and procedure types will provide actionable guidance. Studies should report objective healing metrics, AE incidence, and patient‑reported downtime.
Peri‑procedural skincare is more than adjunctive cosmetics: it is an evidence‑informed component of modern aesthetic practice that reduces adverse events, can accelerate recovery, and supports optimized aesthetic outcomes. Clinicians should apply the principles above—cleanse, protect, support barrier repair, mitigate oxidative stress, and personalize by procedure and phototype—while contributing to the research needed to refine protocols further.