Las Vegas — The first standardized, comprehensive rating system to measure the skin's aging process was introduced at the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery’s annual meeting, held here recently, reports PRNewswire.

The Merz Scales, developed by a multidisciplinary team to “establish a universal language of aging,” is said to address the unmet need for an educational tool to facilitate communication between physicians and patients. While the scales do not diagnose or treat any particular conditions, they serve as a platform from which to discuss the aging process.

PRNewswire quotes Merz Scales investigator Corey Maas, M.D., as saying, “Changes in the anatomy of the skin are the most telltale signs of the aging process. Until now, there were no validated standards for objectively measuring the effects of aging on skin. The Merz Scales provide a common language for both patients and physicians to assess the skin’s aging process.”