What should you know about severe facial burn scars?

A burn scar may be raised, tight, indented, darker or lighter than nearby skin, or sensitive and itchy. Scarring near the eyelids, mouth, nose, or neck can limit movement and affect blinking, eating, facial expression, or breathing comfort. The appearance and flexibility of a scar can continue to change after the wound closes. A clinician considers depth, location, thickness, movement, pigmentation, and whether the scar is still active before recommending treatment.

Protect healed scarred skin from sun and use only products advised for the wound stage. Do not apply strong creams or attempt home scar removal on fragile skin. Specialist options can include fractional laser treatment to remodel texture, scar revision surgery to release or reshape selected scar tissue, or a skin graft when coverage and function require replacement tissue. Rehabilitation, moisturising, pressure care, or other measures may accompany procedures. Several approaches may be combined over time.

Seek urgent care for a new burn, spreading redness, increasing warmth, pus, fever, rapidly worsening pain, or a wound that is opening. Get prompt assessment for tightening that affects vision, mouth opening, swallowing, breathing, or neck movement. A scar that becomes newly raised, painful, or persistently itchy should be reviewed, particularly if its behaviour changes.

Is the main goal comfort, movement, coverage, appearance, or several of these? Is the scar ready for a procedure? Which areas need staged treatment? How will wound care and rehabilitation fit around treatment?