Third-Degree Burn Scar: What to Know

A third-degree burn extends through the full thickness of the skin and may require specialised wound care, surgery, or grafting during healing. The resulting scar can be flat or raised, lighter or darker than nearby skin, and firm or tight. A contracture may restrict movement when scar tissue crosses a joint or pulls on the mouth, eyelid, neck, or another mobile area.

A mature scar can still itch, feel tender, or affect confidence. Its location, size, depth, flexibility, colour, and effect on movement guide the care plan.

Protect healed skin from friction and sun, moisturise if advised, and avoid picking or using unreviewed bleaching or peeling products. A burn or scar specialist may discuss silicone-based care, rehabilitation, fractional laser treatment, scar revision surgery, or a skin graft. The right option depends on whether the priority is flexibility, contour, colour, pain, or function.

Arrange specialist review if a scar is tightening, growing, repeatedly breaking down, or limiting movement. Seek prompt medical care for increasing warmth, swelling, drainage, fever, new open areas, or rapidly changing pain. Scar care should wait for assessment when the skin is not fully healed.

Ask: Is the scar fully healed? Is it limiting movement or closing a nearby opening? Would rehabilitation, laser, revision surgery, or grafting address my main concern? What aftercare will protect the result? Which changes should prompt an earlier review?