Will Ointment Treatment for Burn Pigmentation Be Effective? Recommended Management Methods_[Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon]

Burns can occur surprisingly easily from minor everyday accidents like hot water, oil, or curling irons. Initially, many assume it will heal quickly, but often, dark or reddish marks, i.e., burn pigmentation, remain during the recovery process. To address the most common question first, these marks often require staged management tailored to the depth of damage and skin condition, rather than disappearing completely with ointment alone.

When skin comes into contact with something hot, not only the epidermis but also the dermis can be damaged to varying depths depending on the situation. Even if the accident is not severe, the degree of damage can vary depending on the temperature, duration, and area of contact.

Our skin undergoes self-healing and regeneration processes to restore its damaged state. At this time, if regeneration needs to be activated deep within the skin, scar tissue may form, causing the lesion to turn red or brown.

When skin is damaged by a burn, it becomes very sensitive. During this period, exposure to sunlight, such as UV rays, can more easily lead to pigmentation. This phenomenon becomes more pronounced if outdoor activities are performed without appropriate treatment or protective patches and creams.

If marks remain on frequently exposed areas like the hands or face, burn scars and pigmentation are often a combined concern.

Home care that first comes to mind is management through creams or ointments.

Many people manage with functional ingredients that help with whitening, such as arbutin, niacinamide, and vitamin C. However, since these are applied to the skin's surface, it is difficult for nutrients to fully reach the dermis. Therefore, the improvement speed is not fast, and it is often difficult to feel noticeable changes, which is a drawback.

When ointments alone are insufficient, other options considered include Customized Whitening Solution to even out skin tone or Epidermal Pigment Removal laser to directly address pigments located in the epidermis. However, since the depth of the marks varies, checking the condition first is necessary to determine the appropriate method.

If faster changes are desired, laser toning, such as PicoWay, is performed.

The strength of PicoWay Laser is that it uses pico-second pulses, which are shorter than traditional toning lasers, to reduce skin damage during treatment. PicoWay is a superior device among these, and its improvement effects have been reported.

The number of treatments varies depending on the depth of pigmentation and skin condition, but typically, it is performed consistently 5 or more times at 2-4 week intervals. Burn pigmentation can cause dullness due to excessive melanin production, or conversely, hypopigmentation where the area turns white if melanin cells are completely destroyed.

While it has the advantage of targeting only the problematic lesion, applying too strong energy carries the risk of other pigmentation issues. In other words, a laser with unconditionally high intensity is not always better.

In the examination room, many people initially think of strong treatments to quickly eliminate marks, but in reality, intensity control more often determines the outcome.

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After a burn, only pigmentation may appear, but in severe cases, scar treatment may also need to be performed.

Typically, devices that promote regeneration, such as Ultrapulse Encore, are used for scar treatment. However, due to the strong laser intensity, the skin is highly likely to become sensitive after treatment due to significant irritation.

If scar treatment is also required, rather than performing lasers simultaneously, we prioritize and proceed sequentially depending on the situation. At this time, either scar treatment or pigmentation treatment may be performed first depending on the lesion's condition, so it is best to plan the sequence through consultation and condition check. If deep scars are present, Surgical Scar Revision may also be considered.

Especially if your skin tone is relatively dark, you may be more sensitive to pigment reactions, so it is important to carefully adjust the treatment interval and sequence before starting the procedure.

Laser toning is a treatment where effects accumulate gradually over multiple sessions. It should be approached as a long-term process, and as laser stimulation is repeated on the skin, home care influences the results.

• Pay special attention to moisturizing during the treatment period
• Apply sufficient sunscreen daily, even indoors
• Do not scratch or rub the regenerating area vigorously
• Adhere to the advised treatment intervals and sequence without arbitrary changes
• Discuss new stimuli (scrubs, exfoliation, etc.) with medical staff before proceeding

Many people inquire with concerns about pigmentation remaining even after minor burns. Especially if the marks are on frequently exposed and used areas like the hands or face, the stress caused by dull marks can be quite significant.

Burn pigmentation treatment varies depending on the depth of damage, skin tone, and whether scars are present. The key points are summarized in the table below.

For rapid recovery, accurate diagnosis and prompt response are paramount. Since the condition of the marks can vary individually, it is best to quickly find and apply a method suitable for you.

Chief Director Lee Sang-joo (MD, PhD, Yonsei University College of Medicine and Graduate School; Dermatology Resident, Severance Hospital; President, Korean Society for Dermatology) Chief Director Lee Sang-joo's Profile First published 2025-05-29 / Last reviewed 2026-06-16

This article provides general information, and the pattern and recovery speed of burn pigmentation may vary for each individual. Accurate diagnosis and treatment plans should be determined through consultation with medical staff.