What should you know about burn and scar treatment?

A healed burn may leave a flat change in colour, a firm raised scar, an indented area, or a tight band that restricts movement. Itching, tenderness, dryness, and sensitivity can continue after the surface closes. A scar can also change gradually as it matures. The correct plan depends on the original injury, the location, skin type, current symptoms, and whether nearby joints or openings are affected. Examination is needed before choosing a procedure.

Protect healed scarred skin from sunlight and use gentle moisturising to reduce dryness and friction. A specialist may discuss silicone-based care, pressure or massage guidance, rehabilitation, fractional laser treatment for selected texture or stiffness concerns, or scar revision surgery when a scar limits function or remains troublesome. A skin graft may be considered for particular wounds or reconstruction needs. These options have different healing requirements and are selected after the scar and surrounding tissue are examined.

Seek urgent care for a fresh deep burn, a burn involving the face, hands, feet, genitals, or a major joint, electrical or chemical injury, breathing symptoms, or rapidly worsening pain and swelling. For an old scar, arrange review if it cracks, bleeds, ulcerates, becomes newly painful, grows quickly, or restricts movement. Infection signs include increasing warmth, redness, swelling, discharge, or fever.

Ask what type of scar you have, whether it affects function, which treatments match its maturity and texture, and what recovery and aftercare involve. Ask how many visits may be needed, how pigmentation changes will be managed, and what result is realistic.