Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is a Burn Mark?TypesTreatmentComplicationsRecoveryWhen to See a Doctor
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is a Burn Mark?
Types
Treatment
Complications
Recovery
When to See a Doctor
Burn marks may not go away completely, but they will fade over time. Treatments like topical creams and laser therapy can also help reduce the appearance of a burnscar. The severity of scarring and how much its appearance can be reduced depends on the depth of the burn and how it was initiallytreated and managed.
This article goes over some of the treatments that can help reduce the appearance of burn marks and scars.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
How Burn Scars Affect Different Skin TypesPeople with fair skin tend to develop scars that are pink or red in color, while people with darker skin often develop darker colored scars. People with dark skin are more likely to develop pale scars due to loss of pigment or thick scars called keloids.
How Burn Scars Affect Different Skin Types
People with fair skin tend to develop scars that are pink or red in color, while people with darker skin often develop darker colored scars. People with dark skin are more likely to develop pale scars due to loss of pigment or thick scars called keloids.
Types of Burn Scars
The type of scar that develops after a burn often depends on the severity of the burn. Burns are classified as either first, second, or third-degree.
Burn scars heal differently depending on how severe they are, how they are treated, and how your body’s healing process progresses.
Scars can also be categorized according to their color.
You may also hear healthcare providers talk about contracture scars. This term describes any type of scar that limits movement. A contracture scar forms when healed tissues are tighter and thicker than normal skin. For example, a contracture scar on the arm can make wrist, forearm, and finger movement more difficult.
Many second and third-degree burns can cause contracture scars, and this is one of the reasons why proper burn treatment is important.
Do First-Degree Burns Leave a Scar?First-degree burns can leave a scar, especially without proper treatment. To treat a first-degree burn and prevent scarring, follow these steps:Cool the burn using cool (not cold) water for around 10 minutes or until the pain goes away.Apply petroleum jelly to the burn two or three times each day.Keep the burn area covered with a clean, non-stick bandage.If needed, take an over-the-counter pain medication for pain relief and to reduce inflammation.Keep the burn away from direct sunlight. Stay in the shade, wear protective clothing, and apply water-resistant sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher.
Do First-Degree Burns Leave a Scar?
First-degree burns can leave a scar, especially without proper treatment. To treat a first-degree burn and prevent scarring, follow these steps:Cool the burn using cool (not cold) water for around 10 minutes or until the pain goes away.Apply petroleum jelly to the burn two or three times each day.Keep the burn area covered with a clean, non-stick bandage.If needed, take an over-the-counter pain medication for pain relief and to reduce inflammation.Keep the burn away from direct sunlight. Stay in the shade, wear protective clothing, and apply water-resistant sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher.
First-degree burns can leave a scar, especially without proper treatment. To treat a first-degree burn and prevent scarring, follow these steps:
How to Get Rid of Scars: Medical and Natural Remedies for Old Scars
Burn Scar Treatment
Treatments for burn scars generally fall under four main categories:
Treatment options depend on whether you want to improve the appearance or whether the scar has caused skin contractures (tight areas of skin) that affect your ability to move.
Over-the-Counter Treatment
Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments can help reduce symptoms associated with burns and the scars that develop. They may also help reduce the appearance of scars.
When using silicone gel sheets, it’s important to you keep your skin clean to avoid rashes, irritation, or infections, especially if you live in a hot or warm weather area. You shouldn’t use silicone over any unhealed skin or in combination with antibiotic skin ointments.Allergic reactions to silicone gel are rare. If you start to develop any skin reaction, you should stop applying it immediately and go see your healthcare provider.
When using silicone gel sheets, it’s important to you keep your skin clean to avoid rashes, irritation, or infections, especially if you live in a hot or warm weather area. You shouldn’t use silicone over any unhealed skin or in combination with antibiotic skin ointments.
Allergic reactions to silicone gel are rare. If you start to develop any skin reaction, you should stop applying it immediately and go see your healthcare provider.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is used to reduce the pain, skin sensitivity, and itchiness that usually come with burn scars. Additionally, it can reduce the height and appearance of your burn scars.And because it involves manipulating the scar tissue that’s under your skin, massage therapy lessens the tightness and restriction of movement. If you’re having trouble moving the affected areas freely and fluidly, properly administered massage therapy can help.
There are different kinds of massage techniques used in burn centers, including kneading, skin rolling, stretching, and stroking. Your healthcare provider or occupational therapist should instruct you on how and when to perform these techniques at home.
You shouldn’t massage skin that’s infected, fragile, or not fully healed.
Home Remedies for Burn ScarsA few home remedies are said to help reduce the appearance of burn scars, such as:Aloe vera:Use gel from the aloe vera leaf or purchase an aloe vera product that is free from dyes and perfumes.Honey:Honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help a burn heal and may also help reduce scarring.
Home Remedies for Burn Scars
A few home remedies are said to help reduce the appearance of burn scars, such as:Aloe vera:Use gel from the aloe vera leaf or purchase an aloe vera product that is free from dyes and perfumes.Honey:Honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help a burn heal and may also help reduce scarring.
A few home remedies are said to help reduce the appearance of burn scars, such as:
Pressure Therapy
This method of treating burn scars has been in use for decades and it is usually the first treatment option forhypertrophic (raised scars)in burn centers.
The treatment uses pressure garments—elastic garments that are worn to apply pressure to the scar areas. If the burn scars are on your face, the pressure will be applied using transparent face masks. Pressure therapy should be used for six to 12 months in order for it to be effective, and it is advised that you wear the garments for 23 hours per day.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoHypertrophic burn scar.DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
While it’s a very effective method of treating (and even preventing) hypertrophic burn scars, there are a couple of problems associated with pressure therapy:
It’s important to note that despite its pervasiveness in hospitals and clinics, there isn’t a lot of medical literature backing up the efficacy of pressure therapy.
Why Scar Tissue Pain Occurs and What You Can Do About It
Steroid Injections
Steroid injections are mainly used totreat keloid scars. These are raised, smooth, thick, and rounded scars that sometimes go outside the boundaries of the original burn injury. Steroids, such as corticosteroids, are injected into the scars to soften and shrink them.The injected steroids can also help reduce the pain and itching that are generally associated with burn scars.
If you receive this line of treatment, you may experience side effects, such as skin discoloration and skin thinning. Allergic reactions to steroid injections are very uncommon.
Steroid injections are done at the hospital or clinic and you shouldn’t try to do them yourself at home.
The Pros and Cons of Cortisone Injections
Laser Therapy
Laser treatments are used to relieve tightness, discomfort, and pain from burn scars, as well as smooth them out and diminish their redness. There are different kinds of laser therapies used to treat burn scars. The main ones are pulse-dyed laser, fractional laser (ablative and non-ablative),CO2 laser, andQ-switched laser.If you’re considering whether or not to have laser treatments, consult with your healthcare provider.
With laser treatment, it’s possible that you may need more than one treatment and it may also take several weeks before you start to see results.
Common side effects of laser treatments include redness, swelling, hyperpigmentation (dark skin discoloration), itching, and the formation of new scars. The consensus drawn from many studies and clinical trials is that using laser therapy to treat burn scars is safe enough that the benefits outweigh the potential risks.
Surgery
Surgery can be an option for treating scarring when large areas of skin have been severely damaged, causing contractures to form, with tight skin and limited movement.
Most surgeries performed on burn scars are done to improve range of motion, and this may sometimes necessitate the removal of scar tissue that has formed underneath the skin.The types of surgeries used to treat burn scars include:
Your healthcare provider may have you wait months or even years before a burn scar surgery so your body to heal fully and properly. This depends on the size and location of your burn and how well it is healing.
What to Expect During a Skin Graft
Burn Scar Treatment Complications
The different treatments and surgeries come with their own unique risks and side effects, all of which you should discuss with your surgeon or healthcare provider prior to undergoing them. Some potential complications include:
Burn Scar Treatment Recovery
While results and effects vary, there are a couple of things you should expect after undergoing surgery for your burn scars:
When To See a Healthcare Provider
If you develop a large, raised scar or a keloid, talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options to help reduce the appearance of your scar. You should also see your healthcare provider if you develop a scar that interferes with your normal range of motion.
Summary
Burn scars don’t usually disappear, but they do fade over time. Treatment can also help reduce the appearance of a burn scar, though the treatment you receive will depend on the type of scar you have, the severity of the burn that caused it, and whether or not the scar interferes with your normal range of motion.
Treatment options for burn scars include over-the-counter creams and ointments, non-surgical treatments like massage and pressure therapy, laser therapy, and surgery. These treatments aren’t perfect and can lead to complications.
A Word From Verywell
With burn scar treatments, it’s imperative that you discuss your options with your healthcare provider or surgeon before undergoing any of them. Some of these treatments can be used in combination with each other, or in sequence.
It’s also important for you to have realistic expectations, as it is highly unlikely that your burn scars will go away completely (except when they are really minor). Surviving serious burns and being left with scars can be devastating and can affect your confidence. If you are struggling to accept the changes in your appearance, consider seeing a psychologist or therapist who can help you with emotional and psychological healing.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stanford Medicine Health Care.What are the classifications of burns?American Academy of Dermatology Association (ADA).Scars: signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association (ADA).How to treat a first-degree, minor burn.Bleasdale B, Finnegan S, Murray K, Kelly S, Percival SL.The use of silicone adhesives for scar reduction.Adv Wound Care(New Rochelle). 2015;4(7):422-430. doi:10.1089/wound.2015.0625Cho YS, Jeon JH, Hong A, et al.The effect of burn rehabilitation massage therapy on hypertrophic scar after burn: a randomized controlled trial.Burns. 2014;40(8):1513-20. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2014.02.005Atiyeh BS, El Khatib AM, Dibo SA.Pressure garment therapy (PGT) of burn scars: evidence-based efficacy.Ann Burns Fire Disasters. 2013;26(4):205-12.Ai JW, Liu JT, Pei SD, et al.The effectiveness of pressure therapy (15-25 mmHg) for hypertrophic burn scars: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Sci Rep. 2017;7:40185. doi:10.1038/srep40185Johns Hopkins Medicine.What is a scar?Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors.Laser treatment for burn scars: a practical guide.Willows BM, Ilyas M, Sharma A.Laser in the management of burn scars.Burns. 2017;43(7):1379-1389. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2017.07.001Hayashida K, Akita S.Surgical treatment algorithms for post-burn contractures.Burns Trauma. 2017;5:9. doi:10.1186/s41038-017-0074-zShimizu R, Kishi K.Skin graft.Plast Surg Int. 2012;2012:563493. doi:10.1155/2012/563493Additional ReadingArno AI, Gauglitz GG, Barret JP, Jeschke MG.Up-to-date approach to manage keloids and hypertrophic scars: a useful guide.Burns. 2014;40(7):1255-66. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2014.02.011Quinn K.Silicone gel in scar treatment.Burns. 1987;13:S33-S40. doi:10.1016/0305-4179(87)90091-x
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stanford Medicine Health Care.What are the classifications of burns?American Academy of Dermatology Association (ADA).Scars: signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association (ADA).How to treat a first-degree, minor burn.Bleasdale B, Finnegan S, Murray K, Kelly S, Percival SL.The use of silicone adhesives for scar reduction.Adv Wound Care(New Rochelle). 2015;4(7):422-430. doi:10.1089/wound.2015.0625Cho YS, Jeon JH, Hong A, et al.The effect of burn rehabilitation massage therapy on hypertrophic scar after burn: a randomized controlled trial.Burns. 2014;40(8):1513-20. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2014.02.005Atiyeh BS, El Khatib AM, Dibo SA.Pressure garment therapy (PGT) of burn scars: evidence-based efficacy.Ann Burns Fire Disasters. 2013;26(4):205-12.Ai JW, Liu JT, Pei SD, et al.The effectiveness of pressure therapy (15-25 mmHg) for hypertrophic burn scars: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Sci Rep. 2017;7:40185. doi:10.1038/srep40185Johns Hopkins Medicine.What is a scar?Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors.Laser treatment for burn scars: a practical guide.Willows BM, Ilyas M, Sharma A.Laser in the management of burn scars.Burns. 2017;43(7):1379-1389. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2017.07.001Hayashida K, Akita S.Surgical treatment algorithms for post-burn contractures.Burns Trauma. 2017;5:9. doi:10.1186/s41038-017-0074-zShimizu R, Kishi K.Skin graft.Plast Surg Int. 2012;2012:563493. doi:10.1155/2012/563493Additional ReadingArno AI, Gauglitz GG, Barret JP, Jeschke MG.Up-to-date approach to manage keloids and hypertrophic scars: a useful guide.Burns. 2014;40(7):1255-66. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2014.02.011Quinn K.Silicone gel in scar treatment.Burns. 1987;13:S33-S40. doi:10.1016/0305-4179(87)90091-x
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Stanford Medicine Health Care.What are the classifications of burns?American Academy of Dermatology Association (ADA).Scars: signs and symptoms.American Academy of Dermatology Association (ADA).How to treat a first-degree, minor burn.Bleasdale B, Finnegan S, Murray K, Kelly S, Percival SL.The use of silicone adhesives for scar reduction.Adv Wound Care(New Rochelle). 2015;4(7):422-430. doi:10.1089/wound.2015.0625Cho YS, Jeon JH, Hong A, et al.The effect of burn rehabilitation massage therapy on hypertrophic scar after burn: a randomized controlled trial.Burns. 2014;40(8):1513-20. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2014.02.005Atiyeh BS, El Khatib AM, Dibo SA.Pressure garment therapy (PGT) of burn scars: evidence-based efficacy.Ann Burns Fire Disasters. 2013;26(4):205-12.Ai JW, Liu JT, Pei SD, et al.The effectiveness of pressure therapy (15-25 mmHg) for hypertrophic burn scars: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Sci Rep. 2017;7:40185. doi:10.1038/srep40185Johns Hopkins Medicine.What is a scar?Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors.Laser treatment for burn scars: a practical guide.Willows BM, Ilyas M, Sharma A.Laser in the management of burn scars.Burns. 2017;43(7):1379-1389. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2017.07.001Hayashida K, Akita S.Surgical treatment algorithms for post-burn contractures.Burns Trauma. 2017;5:9. doi:10.1186/s41038-017-0074-zShimizu R, Kishi K.Skin graft.Plast Surg Int. 2012;2012:563493. doi:10.1155/2012/563493
Stanford Medicine Health Care.What are the classifications of burns?
American Academy of Dermatology Association (ADA).Scars: signs and symptoms.
American Academy of Dermatology Association (ADA).How to treat a first-degree, minor burn.
Bleasdale B, Finnegan S, Murray K, Kelly S, Percival SL.The use of silicone adhesives for scar reduction.Adv Wound Care(New Rochelle). 2015;4(7):422-430. doi:10.1089/wound.2015.0625
Cho YS, Jeon JH, Hong A, et al.The effect of burn rehabilitation massage therapy on hypertrophic scar after burn: a randomized controlled trial.Burns. 2014;40(8):1513-20. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2014.02.005
Atiyeh BS, El Khatib AM, Dibo SA.Pressure garment therapy (PGT) of burn scars: evidence-based efficacy.Ann Burns Fire Disasters. 2013;26(4):205-12.
Ai JW, Liu JT, Pei SD, et al.The effectiveness of pressure therapy (15-25 mmHg) for hypertrophic burn scars: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Sci Rep. 2017;7:40185. doi:10.1038/srep40185
Johns Hopkins Medicine.What is a scar?
Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors.Laser treatment for burn scars: a practical guide.
Willows BM, Ilyas M, Sharma A.Laser in the management of burn scars.Burns. 2017;43(7):1379-1389. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2017.07.001
Hayashida K, Akita S.Surgical treatment algorithms for post-burn contractures.Burns Trauma. 2017;5:9. doi:10.1186/s41038-017-0074-z
Shimizu R, Kishi K.Skin graft.Plast Surg Int. 2012;2012:563493. doi:10.1155/2012/563493
Arno AI, Gauglitz GG, Barret JP, Jeschke MG.Up-to-date approach to manage keloids and hypertrophic scars: a useful guide.Burns. 2014;40(7):1255-66. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2014.02.011Quinn K.Silicone gel in scar treatment.Burns. 1987;13:S33-S40. doi:10.1016/0305-4179(87)90091-x
Arno AI, Gauglitz GG, Barret JP, Jeschke MG.Up-to-date approach to manage keloids and hypertrophic scars: a useful guide.Burns. 2014;40(7):1255-66. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2014.02.011
Quinn K.Silicone gel in scar treatment.Burns. 1987;13:S33-S40. doi:10.1016/0305-4179(87)90091-x
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