Comparison of Skin Antiseptic Agents and the Role of 0.01% Hypochlorous Acid

BACKGROUND Hypochlorous acid has both anti-microbial and wound healing properties with a growing role for use in pre-procedural care on the face. OBJECTIVES To compare the antiseptic property of 0.01% hypochlorous solution (HA), 5% povidone iodine (PI), 4% chlorhexidine (CHG) and 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) antiseptic on facial skin. METHODS A prospective single-center clinical trial. RESULTS A total of 21 participants were recruited. Bacterial growth was seen in CHG (10%), IPA (71%), PI (81%) and HA (95%) of specimens (p < 0.001). CHG had less growth when compared to HA (p = <0.001), IPA (p = <0.001) and PI (p = <0.001). No difference in bacterial growth was seen between HA and IPA (p = 0.063) or HA and PI (p = 0.25). Significant differences in mono-microbial and poly-microbial growth was seen between HA and IPA (p = 0.046) and HA and CHG (p= < 0.001). Staphylococcus epidermidis grew less frequently in CHG (10%), followed by IPA (29%), PI (71%) and HA (71%). Staphylococcus capitis grew less frequently in CHG (0%), followed by PI (14%), HA (24%) and IPA (29%). CONCLUSIONS CHG reduced the bacterial growth compared to HA, PI, and IPA. However, HA, PI and IPA had insignificant differences in bactericidal effects. Our study provides a supporting role of HA to be considered as an antiseptic.