GAIS: Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale
Quick facts
- Definition
- A simple scale that rates overall aesthetic improvement by comparing the before photo with the after photo.
- Levels
- Usually five: much improved, improved, no change, worse and much worse.
- Who rates
- The professional, the patient or an independent rater, depending on the goal.
- Limit
- It measures overall perception, not volume or technique, and depends on standardized photos.
The GAIS (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale) is a scale of overall aesthetic improvement. Instead of measuring a wrinkle or a volume, it asks for a single judgment: comparing the photos, how much has the whole improved. It is a perception scale, used to record the assessment of the result in a way that can be compared across sessions.
How does the scale work?
There are usually five levels, from best to worst. The table shows the idea, which may vary by service.
| Level | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Much improved | Clear overall improvement |
| Improved | Noticeable improvement, with points to adjust |
| No change | Appearance the same as at the start |
| Worse | Appearance worse than at the start |
| Much worse | Significant worsening |
Who fills it in, and when?
The scale can be filled in by the professional, by the patient or by a rater who did not take part in the treatment. Each sees it differently, so always record who did the rating. The comparison is only fair with photos taken under the same conditions, as in standardized clinical photography.
What does the GAIS not do?
It does not say which area changed, or whether the technique was appropriate, and it is not a promise of results. To assess a specific structure there are scales by area, such as the Lemperle scale for wrinkles and folds, and patient-centered questionnaires, such as the FACE-Q.
Frequently asked questions
What does GAIS mean in aesthetics?
It stands for Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale, a scale that sums up in a few levels the overall aesthetic improvement perceived when comparing the starting image with the final one.