Figure 1.

Schematic (A) and corresponding H&E image (B) illustrating the measurements used for scar size analysis. The wound region used for confocal microscopy (C) and transmission electron microscopy (D) images and the respective objectives used are shown. Using ImageJ, scar thickness measurements were obtained by drawing a line roughly perpendicular to the average orientation of the epidermal/dermal and panniculus carnosus tissue demarcations. Four dermal thickness measurements were taken per sample (arrows)—two adjacent to the wound site at 50 μm away from the left and right wound edges (T2 and T3) and two at 700 μm away from the left and right wound edges (T1 and T4). To obtain scar size, fibrotic scar tissue area (A) was outlined using the freeform outline tool in ImageJ and was measured to extend from the base of the epidermis to the panniculus carnosus. Scar size was determined by the Scar Index, calculated by dividing the scar area by the corresponding average dermal thickness: Scar Index (μm)=Scar Area (μm²)/Average Dermal Thickness (μm).