[Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon] Treat Burn Scars with the Original Pinhole Technique.

Burn scars often involve not just a change in skin color, but also alterations in skin texture and thickness. For those encountering scars for the first time, the most common question is, "Can this scar be restored to its original skin condition?" To answer directly, 100% restoration is difficult, but it is certainly possible to improve the shape, texture, and thickness to be closer to normal skin.

Burn scars are characterized by pigment changes, where the skin color turns red, brown, or sometimes white, along with the skin itself becoming thick, clumped, or hardened. Because these three-dimensional changes occur simultaneously, they often become the most noticeable aesthetically.

Therefore, burn scars are known in dermatology as difficult and challenging to treat. It is rare for a single procedure to suffice, and the approach varies depending on the depth and extent of the scar. You can explore other types and characteristics of scar concerns in the Burn Scar Guide.

A key method used in burn scar treatment is the Pinhole Laser treatment. Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon has been performing this procedure since the early 2000s, and its effectiveness has been reported in various clinical papers after being presented at dermatology conferences worldwide. Similar procedures, such as Pinhole Cell, have also emerged since then.

The principle is surprisingly simple. The Pinhole Technique, as the name suggests, creates tiny holes in the skin. A high-output Ultrapulse Encore laser is used to irradiate the clumped and hardened burn scar area deep into the skin, creating microscopic holes and allowing the tightly entangled collagen tissue to loosen and rearrange.

Laser Pinhole Technique aims to improve the skin to be as similar as possible to normal skin, thereby reducing the sense of incongruity often associated with traditional skin grafting. With repeated treatments, the hard and clumped texture softens and blends naturally with the surrounding skin.

Depending on the scar's condition, in addition to laser treatment, Surgical Scar Revision to reshape the scar itself may also be considered. If you are curious about which method is right for you, you can easily find out by inquiring via chat consultation about burn scar treatment directions.

Typically, some improvement can be felt after just one or two sessions, spaced one to two months apart. However, it takes time for the scar to sufficiently soften and for the texture to be refined.

Here are some important points to know before and after treatment:

• For sufficient results, a minimum of 5 to 10 or more repeated treatments are recommended.
• Recovery speed and degree of improvement may vary individually.
• The treatment plan changes depending on the depth, extent, and time of occurrence of the scar.
• The approach is adjusted based on whether pigment changes or texture changes are more prominent.

Due to these many variables, it is better to adjust the number and interval of treatments gradually through consultation, rather than setting them uniformly from the start.

In the examination room, even with the same burn scar, the appearance varies depending on the skin's regenerative capacity, scar extent, and time of occurrence. Therefore, how much improvement is possible with the Pinhole Technique and how many sessions are appropriate are determined through direct examination of the scar and consultation. Please refer to the Pinhole Alpha guide for details on the characteristics of the specific Pinhole procedure.

Eliminating a scar once it has formed is not only the patient's wish but also an area of continuous research for us as practitioners.

Many people ask if scars can be completely healed. In a textbook sense, the term "complete healing" is not used. There is currently no reported method that can restore scarred skin 100% to its previous state.

In the past, burns were a matter of life and death, so scar treatment also focused more on functional recovery than aesthetics, and procedural methods other than surgery were hardly developed. However, with advancements in modern medicine and laser equipment, various treatments are now being attempted for old burn scars.

As a result, it has become possible to change the shape, texture, and thickness of burn scars to make them closer to normal skin. While complete restoration is not possible, significant improvement is reported, and the degree may vary individually.

If you are curious about the treatment direction, we recommend you consult without hesitation.

Dr. Sang-Joo Lee, Chief Director (MD, PhD, Yonsei University College of Medicine and Graduate School; Resident, Severance Hospital Dermatology; President, Korean Dermatological Association) Dr. Sang-Joo Lee's Profile First Published 2024-01-04 / Last Reviewed 2026-06-16

This content is for general information purposes only, and scar conditions and treatment responses may vary from person to person. Please confirm an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan through consultation with medical staff.