Scars are the end result of nature's healing process. They represent a legacy to the injuries people incur over the course of a lifetime. Like the people who bear them, scars have a variety of appearances. Some people wear scars with a sense of pride, while others regard them as a disfigurement and a mar to their search for perfection.

Cosmetic surgeons are frequently asked to revise or improve scars. Before embarking on this endeavor, the surgeon must consider several factors: patient expectations, cause and location of the scar, scar contour and type, and available corrective modalities, both surgical and nonsurgical.