Surgical skin preparation is a process of cleaning the patient's skin before a any medical procedure. The goal is simple. It helps reduce the number of bacteria on the skin so there is less chance of germs entering the surgical site. Bacteria can live on a person’s skin even after a shower. This is totally normal. But, during surgery, these bacteria can be problematic if they get inside the body. That is why preoperative skin preparation is standard medical practice in hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities. The right antiseptic skin prep product will give you a cleaner surface before you even begin the procedure.