Scarring is a natural process of healing after damage to the skin that extends to the reticular dermis. While some scars may be socially acceptable, even admirable, scars of the face can be viewed as disfiguring or ugly. Minimizing the appearance of facial scars and optimizing their cosmetic outcome ideally begin before surgery or, in the cause of trauma, at the initial reconstruction. Even when there has been poor initial healing, a scar's appearance can be improved. Herein, we review conservative, medical, and surgical therapies to improve the appearance of facial scars.
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