What should you know about dark spot after burn?

Burn inflammation can stimulate pigment production or redistribute pigment in the skin. The mark may be brown, grey, or deeper than the surrounding area, and it can be more noticeable after sun exposure. This is different from a burn that is still open, blistered, wet, increasingly painful, or infected. The depth of the injury, the amount of inflammation, and your natural skin tone influence how the area looks while it heals. Other causes of dark patches include melasma, sun spots, tinea versicolor, or a separate irritated area, so a mark that does not match the burn should be examined rather than self-treated.

Follow the wound-care instructions you were given and do not peel blisters or remove healing skin. Once the surface has fully closed, use gentle moisturising and protect the area from sunlight with clothing or suitable sunscreen. Avoid scrubbing, fragranced products, and strong acids on recently healed skin. If the mark remains troubling, a dermatologist can confirm the diagnosis before discussing skin brightening treatment, a chemical peel, or picosecond laser treatment. These options can irritate skin and may worsen uneven colour if used before healing or without a tailored plan.

Seek prompt medical care if the burn is still open, increasingly red or swollen, producing pus, becoming more painful, or accompanied by fever. Arrange a dermatology review if the dark area is enlarging, bleeding, changing in texture, or not clearly linked to the healed burn. A clinician can distinguish a healing mark from an active wound or another skin condition.

Has the burn fully healed? Is this post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or another condition? When can I use sunscreen or pigment care? Would a peel or laser be suitable for my skin tone, and what signs would mean I should stop?