Dr Sally Rayment explores pre- and post-procedural topical skincare protocols designed to optimise clinical outcomes
The skin barrier is fundamental to cutaneous homeostasis, regulating transepidermal water loss (TEWL), modulating the immune response and resisting microbial colonisation.¹ When aesthetic procedures disrupt this barrier through mechanical trauma, thermal injury or chemical exfoliation, the trajectory of healing is profoundly influenced by the pre-procedural condition of the skin and by the topical agents deployed afterwards.
Across the full spectrum of aesthetic practice, from injectable neuromodulators and dermal fillers to fractional laser resurfacing, intense pulsed light (IPL), chemical peels and microneedling, pre- and post-procedural skincare protocols represent an underutilised lever for optimising outcomes. A growing body of evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses now supports structured topical regimens that reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation…
