Help promote healthy skin after a wound or medical procedure. With each type of skin prep products designed to protect damaged skin and reduce the discomfort, you'll feel better knowing you're on the road to recovery. Whether you're stocking a surgical supply cabinet or preparing for at-home care, skin prep products can make a great addition to any supply of remedies.

Prepare and Protect Skin

Liquid preparation items coat the skin with a thin film, which can act as a protective barrier between the skin and any dressing and tape. When you remove a bandage, the film reduces friction and help reduce the risk of pain or skin damage. Many skin prep products have the added advantage of preventing the skin from breaking down after a medical procedure, burn or infection by promoting airflow and helping to keep moisture out. In situations where tape or medical glue is required, skin prep products can help create a surface that makes the tape or glue adhere better. Most products are designed to stay in place for one or more days, minimizing a constant need to reapply them.

Multiple Applications

Select skin prep products with a variety of applicators to help improve wound care. Spray-on products by nature minimize or prevent contact with the skin, which helps manage pain after a wound or scrape. Those that include a brush or swab applicator are ready made for precise control around a small cut. Skin prep wipes provide broad coverage for large areas in preparation for bandages or tape.

Reduce Skin Irritation

You can use lotions and powders to reduce skin discomfort after a medical procedure or bed rest. Moisturizing skin protectors can provide nourishment and a soothing sensation for those with dry, irritated areas. Both lotions and creams can also serve as a barrier against outside irritants. Non-allergenic formulas can work well for those with allergies or sensitive skin. Powder-based protectors can be gentle enough for raw skin as they mix with the existing moisture, forming a protective gel layer. Anti-fungal powders can provide relief for superficial irritation caused by yeast and athlete's foot.

Spray-on Barriers

Help protect the opening around an incision with skin barriers. Spray-on barriers coat the opening and help keep out bodily fluids and external substances without inhibiting the use of medical tools. For patients that require stomas, flexible barrier strips sit between the skin and the device, raising it above the surface to help reduce irritation. Some barriers are designed to slip over the edges of a flange or drainage tube to help prevent cuts and discomfort.

Quick Wound Care

Liquid bandages can also help heal minor cuts and scrapes. The liquid forms a film over the damaged skin that helps keep out dirt and germs to prevent infection. Many products spray directly onto the cut, providing a fast treatment with little need to touch the painful area. Liquid bandages are designed to flex and move, so they stay in place even as the person walks and bends.

Disclaimer: The contents of this article are for informational purposes only and are based on scientific and technical research noted below. The information does not constitute a medical consultation and cannot replace medical advice. Any information should never be used as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other health care provider. Before you start working out, you should get a medical checkup or otherwise be fit for this type of activity. It is important that you warm up and stretch before each workout, and that you use common sense while exercising: do not go over the top when exercising! If you experience any pain, feel weak, dizzy or exhausted or become short of breath, immediately stop your workout.