Safety guidelines for nonsurgical facial procedures during COVID‐19 outbreak

Abstract

Background The novel coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic is expected to last for an extended time, making strict safety precautions for office procedures unavoidable. The lockdown is going to be lifted in many areas, and strict guidelines detailing the infection control measures for aesthetic clinics are going to be of particular importance. Methods A virtual meeting was conducted with the members (n = 12) of the European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery Focus Group to outline the safety protocol for the nonsurgical facial aesthetic procedures for aesthetic practices in order to protect the clinic staff and the patients from SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The data analysis was undertaken by thematic and iterative approach. Results Consensus guidelines for nonsurgical facial aesthetic procedures based on current knowledge are provided for three levels: precautions before visiting the clinic, precautions during the clinic visit, and precautions after the clinic visit. Conclusions Sound infection control measures are mandatory for nonsurgical aesthetic practices all around the world. These may vary from country to country, but this logical approach can be customized according to the respective country laws and guidelines.

Cosmetic Practices in the COVID-19 Era

“…Online patient portals and e-communication for registration and paperwork should be used to minimize patient contact. Furthermore, plastic/acrylic windows panels or glass partitions, especially in waiting rooms, should be used whenever possible to decrease staff and health care personnel (HCP) exposure [ 44 ].…”

The changing paradigm of an aesthetic practice during the COVID ‐19 pandemic: An expert consensus

“…Where available povidone iodine nasal spray (0.23%) should be used for nasal or intra oral procedures 38 . Eye drops have also been suggested for use wherein one drop is diluted 1:100 3 . Further, mouth rinse with hydrogen peroxide wash (1%‐3%) followed by povidone iodine rinse for 30 s, should be used for perioral procedures and the patient be made to spit back in a disposable glass, to avoid splatter.…”

Medical and socioeconomic challenges of private dermatocosmetology clinics during COVID‐19 pandemic: A survey from Turkey

“…As of September 24, 2020, there have been 31 664 104 confirmed cases of COVID‐19, including 972 221 deaths reported to World Health Organization (WHO) 2 . Because the transmission routes of the disease are mainly respiratory droplets, and aerosol concentrations suspended in the air, some of the minimal invasive cosmetic procedures are considered risky due to close face‐to‐face interaction between patient and physician 3 . The risk seems to increase during particular applications generating aerosols such as laser applications on facial region and dermal filler procedures including lip augmentation in which the patient has to remove the mask and close contact with the mucosa is needed 4 …”

“…Although the positive impacts of minimal invasive cosmetic procedures on patient's quality of life are well documented, they are generally considered elective services 3 . A dramatic decrease in cosmetic interest and a global shifting from cosmetics to personal hygiene products such as disinfectants, soap, and moisturizers have been reported all over the world during the COVID‐19 lockdown 6‐8 .…”