Consensus Guidelines for Pre- and Post-Procedure Skincare in Aesthetic Treatments

This protocol presents a Delphi-based expert consensus on standardized pre- and post-procedure skincare for aesthetic treatments, developed to optimize clinical outcomes, enhance patient safety, and minimize procedure-related complications. The recommendations apply to a broad spectrum of aesthetic interventions, including injectables, laser and energy-based devices, chemical peels, microneedling, and combination therapies.

Consensus Development Methodology (Delphi Method)

This protocol is developed using the Delphi method, a structured, iterative process designed to achieve expert agreement through multiple rounds of anonymous feedback. A multidisciplinary panel of experienced aesthetic physicians, dermatologists, and skincare experts participates in sequential survey rounds. Each round refines key recommendations based on:

• Aggregated expert responses
• Controlled feedback
• Statistical agreement thresholds

This approach ensures that the final protocol reflects high-level expert agreement, minimizes bias, and supports evidence-informed clinical decision-making.

Inclusion criteria

• Licensed dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and aesthetic medicine specialists.
• Minimum of five years of clinical experience in aesthetic procedures, including lasers, injectables, chemical peels, or microneedling.
• Demonstrated record of academic or clinical involvement in procedural dermatology or aesthetic medicine.
• Experience managing patients across a range of skin phototypes, particularly Fitzpatrick III-VI.
• Willingness to participate in multiple rounds of survey-based consensus building.
• Commitment to provide independent and anonymous responses

Exclusion criteria

• Lack of direct clinical experience with aesthetic procedures.
• Less than five years of relevant clinical practice.
• Inability to commit to all rounds of the Delphi process.
• Conflicts of interest that could bias recommendations (e.g., financial ties to skincare product companies or device manufacturers).
• Insufficient proficiency in the language used for the Delphi survey.
• Failure to complete the initial round, resulting in removal from subsequent rounds.