ABSTRACT
Surgeons and physicians engaged in plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine should rely on a scientific objective and accurate imaging data of patients undergoing the treatment, just starting from optical photography. There are three technological pathways for capturing clinical photography—traditional two-dimensional (2D) using a digital single lens reflex, three-dimensional surface imaging or augmented reality. Accurate 2D imaging as a lower-cost entry point has been pursued. With regard to the patient’s preparation, all makeup and jewelry must be removed for all photographic documentation, including the posttreatment pictures. Briefly speaking, photographs used in pretreatment without makeup and post-treatment photographs with makeup must be fully avoided. Regardless of the initial treatment enquiry—surgical or non-surgical—it is imperative that both static and dynamic images are captured at baseline consultation. The human face is a dynamic area, and patients may not be fully aware of their asymmetry, profile views or degree of movement.
