Improving aseptic injection standards in aesthetic clinical practice

Area of Science:

• Medical Aesthetics
• Infection Control
• Clinical Best Practices

Background:

• Nonsurgical injectable aesthetic procedures are increasingly popular, leading to a rise in reported complications, especially infections.
• Aseptic technique is a critical, modifiable factor for aesthetic practitioners to minimize cross-contamination and infection risk.
• Treatments involving skin barrier breach, like soft tissue fillers, necessitate stringent aseptic protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a consensus on best practices for aseptic techniques in medical aesthetics.
• To recommend a step-by-step procedure for optimal aseptic practice in private clinics.
• To define key considerations for reducing infection risk throughout the patient journey (pre-, during-, and post-procedure).

Main Methods:

• Convening a consensus group of five UK expert aesthetic clinicians.
• Reviewing current evidence and extensive clinical experience.
• Developing phased guidance (pre-, during-, post-procedure) for patients and healthcare professionals.

Main Results:

• Recommendations were made to achieve and maintain high standards of asepsis and infection control.
• Guidance covers patient selection, procedure conduct, and post-treatment care.
• Specific procedures are recommended to mitigate infection risks inherent in aesthetic treatments.

Conclusions:

• Aesthetic clinics face a high potential risk of infection, particularly with facial injectable treatments.
• Adherence to enhanced aseptic techniques is vital for patient safety.
• This expert consensus provides actionable guidance to mitigate asepsis-related risks in medical aesthetics.