Treating scars: addressing surface, volume, and movement to optimize results: part 1. Mild grades of scarring.

BACKGROUND

The management of scarring (from acne, surgery, or disease) remains a common concern and an ongoing challenge, with improvement, not eradication, the goal.

METHODS

To describe a growing strategy used in esthetic dermatology illustrating the effects of movement, volume, and surface changes on skin aging, deformity, or disease using a grading scale of disease burden to classify scarred patients.

RESULTS

Through the use of this grading scale and with emphasis on the role of surface, volume changes, and recurrent movement, treatment planning will be suggested and relevant treatments reviewed. Tabulated treatment planning will also present algorithms summarizing a logical approach to the treatment of more-minor grades of scarring.

CONCLUSION

More-minor grades of scarring may be assessed in terms of treatments to restore minor volume loss and to improve the surface of the skin.