5.4. Outcome Measurement
DSM-II, redness
SCAR, ADVERSE EVENTS, CORTEX, SCAR, SCARRING
The postoperative scar was assessed at the following four different time points: 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-surgery. It was important to schedule a follow-up appointment as early as 2 weeks since the full effects of BoNT-A typically become evident around this time. Also, if any adverse events were to occur, they would likely be detected within the first 2 weeks. The 3- to 6-month follow-up visits were scheduled during the period when postsurgical scarring typically occurs. High-resolution digital photographs (Canon 600D, Tokyo, Japan) were taken under consistent room lighting conditions.Two independent and blinded dermatologists performed the scar assessments. They evaluated the severity of the scar using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) score, which encompassed parameters including pigmentation, vascularity, pliability, and scar height [For objective assessments, the Colorimeter (DSM-II ColorMeter®, Cortex Technology, Denmark) was utilized to evaluate the scar’s coloration. As a reference value, normal skin adjacent to the scar was measured at the beginning of the study. The measurement process involved these three parameters [L*: Represents the lightness of the color, where L* = 0 indicates black and L* = 100 indicates white.a*: Indicates redness and its position between magenta and green. Values on this scale range from a* = −60 (green) to a* = 60 (magenta).b*: Indicates yellowness and its position between yellow and blue. Values on this scale range from b* = −60 (blue) to b* = 60 (yellow).To provide an example, the skin regions of the first model exhibited significantly higher a* and b* values compared to the skin regions of the second model. Additionally, the first model had a notably higher L* value. This outcome indicates that the second model possesses a darker skin tone compared to the first model [