At the clinic, do they need to wipe my face with Betadine before squeezing pimples?

Generally speaking Cosmetic clinics will "not" use Betadine to cleanse the entire face before extracting pimples. Not using it isn't strange or substandard; it's simply because we have better and more suitable options for our skin.

Imagine this: Betadine, or its generic name Povidone-Iodine, is a very powerful antiseptic. We often use it to prepare a patient's skin before major surgery, to ensure the area is as germ-free as possible.

However, for our facial skin, especially acne-prone skin which is delicate and may have hidden inflammation, using Betadine... "Excessively violent." Yes, because it could lead to these problems.

• May cause irritation: The high concentration of Betadine may cause dryness, stinging, redness, and irritation, especially in patients with already sensitive skin.
• Disrupts skin balance: Overly harsh disinfectants not only kill harmful germs but also destroy beneficial microorganisms (skin microbiome) that protect the skin, weakening the skin's barrier in the long run.
• Color stains occurred on the skin: Betadine has a distinct yellowish-brown color, which may leave a temporary stain on the skin.

So what should the correct standards be?

The key to preparing your skin before extracting pimples is... "Aseptic Technique" Yes, it doesn't depend solely on the disinfectant, but involves several steps, from cleaning the surface, using the appropriate disinfectant, to using properly sterilized instruments.

For disinfectants commonly used on the face before procedures, gentler yet still highly effective options are preferred, such as:

• Chlorhexidine: This is The most popular and considered the gold standard in dermatology. Yes, because it has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity but is gentler on the skin and its antimicrobial effect lasts longer on the skin than Betadine.
• Alcohol (70%): It might work in some cases, but it must be used with caution and only on small areas, as it can severely dry out the skin.