The Relationship of Topical Anesthesia to The Recovery of Patients who Receive Procedures in The Field of Dermatology

Topical anesthesia is frequently used in dermatological procedures due to its minimally invasive nature, cost-effectiveness, and ease of application. Its role in patient recovery—especially in pain relief, wound healing, and infection prevention—has been recognized but remains insufficiently studied in an integrated manner. This study aims to investigate the relationship between topical anesthesia and the recovery of patients undergoing dermatological procedures, focusing on pain control, wound healing, and infection outcomes. A systematic review was conducted by retrieving articles from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar using keywords "topical anesthesia," "dermatology," and "procedure." Articles published from 2020 to 2025 were screened based on inclusion criteria following the PICOS framework. A total of six eligible studies were included, consisting of randomized controlled trials and observational studies. The review reveals that topical anesthesia—particularly lidocaine-tetracaine combinations, EMLA, and cryoanesthesia—significantly reduces procedural pain and supports improved wound healing. Some agents also show lower infection rates compared to infiltrative anesthesia. EMLA demonstrated superior efficacy among modalities, and side effects were generally minimal and self-limiting. The findings highlight topical anesthesia as an effective and safe alternative for superficial dermatological procedures. However, the limited number of comprehensive studies underscores the need for future large-scale, randomized trials to validate these outcomes and further explore long-term effects across diverse populations and skin conditions.