Final answer:
There's no specific duration for soaking in water before salicylic acid application recommended, but soaking for a few minutes in lukewarm water until the skin is hydrated, and then patting dry, should suffice.
Step-by-step explanation:
When preparing to apply salicylic acid to the skin, it is recommended to first soak the area in warm water. However, the specific duration for soaking isn’t typically stated in medical guidelines for salicylic acid application. Generally, it's advised to rinse with lukewarm water and to ensure the skin is clean without causing irritation. Therefore, soaking for a few minutes until the skin is sufficiently hydrated but not overly pruned would be sensible. Following the soak, ensure the skin is gently patted dry before applying an alcohol-free, non-irritating salicylic acid product. This process aligns with the overall aim to avoid skin irritation and to help the salicylic acid penetrate the skin more effectively post-soak.