Pre-/postprocedure measures for laser/energy treatments: A survey

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Medical Aesthetics
• Laser and Energy-Based Devices

Background:

• Laser and energy devices are used for various skin conditions like photoaging and facial resurfacing.
• No current consensus or guidelines exist for peri-operative care in laser skin resurfacing.
• This gap highlights the need to understand current practices and potential side effect management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To survey current practices regarding pre- and post-procedural measures for laser and energy device treatments.
• To identify trends in peri-operative care for facial rejuvenation procedures.

Main Methods:

• A digital survey was distributed to 300 US dermatologists and plastic surgeons.
• The survey focused on demographics, devices used, and pre-/post-procedural care for laser treatments.
• Data was collected from 58 physicians, yielding a 19.3% response rate.

Main Results:

• Significant inconsistency was found in skin preparation and post-procedure wound care strategies.
• While 96% used prophylactic oral antivirals, timing for initiation and cessation varied.
• Recommendations for sun protection duration also showed inconsistency.

Conclusions:

• Survey results confirm a lack of standardized pre- and post-procedural measures in laser skin resurfacing.
• There is a clear need for evidence-based recommendations to optimize results.
• Standardized guidelines can enhance patient comfort, reduce downtime, and prevent complications.