Strict infection control measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic are expected for a long time in aesthetic clinics. The safety precautions against COVID-19 infection will continue much beyond the lockdown period. No laxity in these precautions should happen even if the curve of COVID-19 cases flattens.
In aesthetic clinics globally, most procedures like dermal fillers, anti-wrinkle injections, laser treatments, skin tightening, non invasive fat reduction are provided on a one-to-one basis by a physician or therapist. In such a scenario, guidelines detailing the COVID-19 infection control measures for aesthetic clinics are of great importance.
An online meeting of an international group of experts in the field of aesthetic medicine was convened for this purpose. The meeting aimed to provide a set of consensus guidelines to protect clinic staff and patients from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Consensus guidelines for 'preferred practices' were provided by this group for patient scheduling, patient evaluation and triaging, and for safety precautions about the different cosmetic procedures. Aesthetic procedures were categorised into low-risk, moderate risk, and high-risk based on the likelihood of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus from the patient to the treating physician or therapist. The guidelines for staffing and general housekeeping in the aesthetic clinics were also agreed upon.
The guidelines were prepared by this group comprising of ten experts in aesthetic medicine from eight countries. The group included Dr. Krishan Mohan Kapoor, Dr. Vandana Chatrath, Dr. Puneet Kapoor (all from India), Dr. Sarah Gillian Boxley (Australia), Dr. Iman Nurlin (Sweden), Dr. Philippe Snozzi (Switzerland), Dr. Nestor Demosthenous (UK), Dr. Victoria Belo (Philippines), Dr. Wai Man Chan (Norway) and Dr. Nicole Kanaris (South Africa).
An article titled 'COVID‐19 Pandemic: Consensus Guidelines for Preferred Practices in an Aesthetic Clinic' was prepared based on these guidelines. This article has just been published in the prestigious journal 'Dermatologic Therapy.'
"These consensus guidelines provide a list of sound infection control measures for aesthetic clinics," said Dr. Krishan Mohan Kapoor, senior plastic surgeon, Anticlock Medispa, Chandigarh. "As guidelines regarding safety measures and use of PPEs may vary from country to country, the local guidelines should also be followed to prevent COVID-19 infection in aesthetic clinics," opined Dr. Puneet Kapoor.