Relaxed skin tension lines (RSTL) versus other skin lines.
The seven best known skin tension lines are presented. The directions they convey are schematically compared with those of the relaxed skin tension lines. Commentaries and discussion by the author are given in order to help the reader arrive at his or her own conclusions on which directions his or her incisions should take so as to obtain the best scarring.
D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004548:Elasticity; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000379:methods