The type of burn you have suffered—first, second or third—will determine the severity of your burn scar. According to Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center College of Medicine, third-degree burns leave the worst scars because the burns go so deep into the skin and tissue. Third-degree burns may require skin grafting to help them heal and lessen scar damage. The scars that are left behind can be very disfiguring and take weeks or months to treat.
Surgical Excision
According to BurnSurgery.org, surgical excision is usually the best option for smaller burn scars. The excision is usually performed by a plastic surgeon who has experience in this area. Surgical excision is done by removing the old scar and creating a new, less noticeable scar. This can be very helpful if you are suffering from a burn contracture where the skin has tightened around the burn area. Although this treatment will not completely remove the scar, it can make a difference in the aesthetic look of the scar, and this can be a psychological benefit for you.
Laser or Dermabrasion
Some burn scars can be treated by using laser surgery. According to BurnSurgery.org, this treatment method helps to cause a thermal reaction on the scar and can actually coagulate tissue, making it appear smoother and less noticeable. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, laser treatment is best for keloid or hypertrophic scars, which are raised and very noticeable. In addition, another method of treating these raised scars is to use dermabrasion, which involves using a machine that will take the top layers of skin off the scar. This process will also make the scar appear smoother and less noticeable. However, both of these treatments can cause reddened skin and tissue that will take time to heal.
Pharmacological Treatment
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, keloid or hypertrophic scars can be reduced in size with an injection of steroids. In addition, BurnSurgery.org reports that antihistamines can also be helpful in lessening histamine-induced tissue reactions. Topical agents such as doxepine cream, sold as Prudoxin, also are effective. According to BurnSurgery.org, another pharmaceutical treatment is the use of interferons, which help to reduce a scar-forming agent called TGF-B. This treatment can be done by intravenous methods or injected directly into the scar.
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