Hello, I am Dr. Lee Sang-ju, a board-certified dermatologist. Over 20 years of studying skin, I have seen many people struggling with burn scars. Today, I will answer your questions about burns and the scars they cause.
Early Burn Stage: How to Respond and Prevent Scars
When you get a burn, the most important thing is initial response. It is crucial to cool the burn sufficiently with cool water for about 20-50 minutes to remove the heat.
Afterward, two principles are needed for management:
- Prevent external bacterial infection: Disinfect and apply antibiotic ointment
- Protect the skin: Prevent additional damage with dressing or artificial skin membrane
Once the burn has healed and redness begins to appear, you can apply scar-reducing tape or undergo laser treatment to help minimize scarring.
Does the Formation of Blisters Increase the Chance of Scarring?
Yes, that's correct. The formation of blisters indicates a second-degree burn or higher. While second-degree burns vary depending on whether they are superficial or deep, if blisters occur, the likelihood of scarring increases, requiring meticulous care to minimize scars. Especially in the case of deep second-degree burns, healing can take over a month, and scars can be severe and vary in shape and color.
What Treatment Methods Are Available for Burn Scars?
In the past, surgical methods were primarily used. If contracture occurred due to a burn, restricting joint movement, the affected area would be incised and expanded through skin grafting (skin flap). However, the cosmetic improvement effect was somewhat limited.
More recently, over the past 20-30 years, lasers have been widely used for burn scar treatment. Lasers have the advantage of being able to adjust scars to the desired shape, such as thinning thick scars, raising depressed scars, or improving various pigmentations like red or brown. Therefore, they are preferred for cosmetic treatment purposes.
Our clinic has long used the Pinhole Technique, a treatment that induces skin regeneration by creating microscopic holes in the skin. It is particularly effective for treating thick burn scars, softening the scars to reduce movement restrictions and promote natural improvement. Furthermore, it has the significant advantage of minimal disruption to daily life, making it a method we actively recommend.
Can Everyday Burn Scars Be Treated?
- Curling iron burns (brown scars): Curling iron burns on the face or arms can cause scars due to surprisingly high temperatures. Brown scars involve both scarring and pigmentation, so they can be treated with a combination of pigment lasers and scar treatment lasers. Early on, it's best to apply moist dressings quickly.
- Finger burn scars: Burn scars on fingers can also be improved with the Pinhole Technique or laser treatment.
- Cigarette burn scars: Cigarette burn scars can also be treated, though not 100%. The Pinhole Technique can help them regenerate to resemble the surrounding skin.
Can Severe, Old Burn Scars Also Be Improved?
Even severe scars on the legs from third-degree burns, which are bumpy or inverted, can be improved with the Pinhole Technique. For thick scars, treatment to reduce their height is performed first, followed by treatment to match the color, which can lead to significant improvement.
It cannot be definitively stated that surgery is always better for severe burn scars. In cases like joint contracture that impede daily life, such as restricted arm movement or walking difficulties, surgical expansion is advisable. However, for the shape, texture, and thickness of the remaining scars afterward, laser treatment can be much more effective than surgery. This is case by case, and consultation with medical staff is important.
Even old burn scars from 20 or 30 years ago can be significantly improved. Especially for white scars, their color and shape can be changed, and if they are raised or thick, they can be thinned. While treatment methods were limited in the past, with recent advancements in the Pinhole Technique and lasers, they can be improved to a much better state than their current condition, so we recommend seeking a consultation.
How to Choose a Hospital for Burn Scar Treatment?
Since burn scars vary greatly in shape and color, it is crucial to choose a hospital with experienced medical staff. This field is not yet systematically standardized in textbooks, so globally, there are only one or two hospitals per country that specialize in treating burn scars. Skilled experience greatly influences treatment outcomes.
Today, I have answered your questions about burn scars. If you have any other questions about intractable skin diseases or issues that other hospitals have told you are difficult to treat, please feel free to ask anytime. This has been Dr. Lee Sang-ju, board-certified dermatologist. Thank you.