Improving the outcome of facial resurfacing--prevention of herpes simplex virus type 1 reactivation.

Facial resurfacing is becoming an increasingly popular method of cosmetic surgery for improving the appearance of the skin on the face and neck. However, since the majority of the population is infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) by adulthood, complications such as widespread facial lesions and post-operative scarring arising from reactivation of the virus can threaten the success of the procedure. Although there are no prospective controlled trials, oral antiviral therapy has been shown to be effective in preventing post-operative reactivation of HSV-1 when administered from a minimum of 2 h before surgery and continued up to 10 days thereafter. Since such therapies have very acceptable clinical safety profiles, it has become common practice for all individuals undergoing facial resurfacing to be treated with oral antivirals effective against HSV-1, regardless of their HSV-1 history or baseline serology.