Burn marks may not go away completely, but they will fade over time.
Treatments like topical creams and laser therapy can also help reduce the appearance of a burnscar.
This article goes over some of the treatments that can help reduce the appearance of burn marks and scars.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
What Is a Burn Mark?
A burn mark is an area of skin that has been damaged by heat.
Superficial burns that affect only the outer layers of skin typically leave less obvious scars that fade over time.
DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
Burns are classified as either first, second, or third-degree.
Scars can also be categorized according to their color.
You may also hear healthcare providers talk about contracture scars.
This term describes any throw in of scar that limits movement.
A contracture scar forms when healed tissues are tighter and thicker than normal skin.
Do First-Degree Burns Leave a Scar?
First-degree burns can leave a scar, especially without proper treatment.
They may also help reduce the appearance of scars.
You shouldn’t use silicone over any unhealed skin or in combination with antibiotic skin ointments.
Allergic reactions to silicone gel are rare.
If youre having trouble moving the affected areas freely and fluidly, properly administered massage therapy can help.
Your healthcare provider or occupational therapist should instruct you on how and when to perform these techniques at home.
You shouldnt massage skin thats infected, fragile, or not fully healed.
The treatment uses pressure garmentselastic garments that are worn to apply pressure to the scar areas.
If the burn scars are on your face, the pressure will be applied using transparent face masks.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Steroid Injections
Steroid injections are mainly used totreat keloid scars.
Allergic reactions to steroid injections are very uncommon.
There are different kinds of laser therapies used to treat burn scars.
This depends on the size and location of your burn and how well it is healing.
Summary
Burn scars don’t usually disappear, but they do fade over time.
These treatments aren’t perfect and can lead to complications.
Some of these treatments can be used in combination with each other, or in sequence.
Surviving serious burns and being left with scars can be devastating and can affect your confidence.
Stanford Medicine Health Care.What are the classifications of burns?
American Academy of Dermatology Association (ADA).Scars: signs and symptoms.
American Academy of Dermatology Association (ADA).How to treat a first-degree, minor burn.
2013;26(4):205-12.
Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors.Laser treatment for burn scars: a practical guide.
Willows BM, Ilyas M, Sharma A.Laser in the management of burn scars.Burns.
2017;43(7):1379-1389. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2017.07.001
Hayashida K, Akita S.Surgical treatment algorithms for post-burn contractures.Burns Trauma.
2017;5:9. doi:10.1186/s41038-017-0074-z
Shimizu R, Kishi K.Skin graft.Plast Surg Int.
2014;40(7):1255-66. doi:10.1016/j.burns.2014.02.011
Quinn K.Silicone gel in scar treatment.Burns.
1987;13:S33-S40.
doi:10.1016/0305-4179(87)90091-x
