Perioperative Skin Conditioning for Patients With Skin of Color

Abstract

The interest in cosmetic procedures for patients with skin of color is on an upward trend. Globally, dyschromia and hyperpigmentation remain the most common disorders for which patients seek treatment. The goals of a perioperative skin conditioning program include allowing a broad range of patients to be treated regardless of skin phototypes, maximizing results, and reducing risk of complications such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and managing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation if it occurs. The purpose of this article is to highlight common pigmentation concerns among patients with skin of color, the topical agents used to combat these concerns, and a practical approach to creating an effective yet straightforward topical skin care regimen that can be used across a wide range of patient skin phototypes. Before and after photos of patients with a variety of pigmentation concerns are presented along with a description of the treatment regimen used to improve their conditions and to get their skin to a safer state prior to performing any office-based procedures. By understanding the main concerns of patients with skin of color, one can use a simple and effective skincare regimen to allow these patients to be more safely treated. An effective skincare regimen both prepares the skin prior to procedures and postoperatively to help minimize dyschromias in the postoperative phase.