Appearance of burn scars includes: Color changes — The tissue may be a different color that is either darker or lighter than natural pigmentation. Texture — The scar may have a thick, tough or fibrous texture and can be shiny or smooth. Tissue changes — The tissue may be raised or indented.
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. Burns that reach deeper layers of skin tend to leave scars that are thicker and have a much more prominent appearance.
This includes trauma from the accident itself, as well as trauma that results from the physical disfigurement and limitations that burns so often cause. There are treatment options for managing the effects of psychological trauma. However, for many burn victims, recovery will prove to be a lifelong process.
If the burn scar is severe or it does not fade in time, a person should also consult their doctor. Applying aloe vera gel, eating a diet rich in antioxidant foods, drinking plenty of water, and taking certain supplements may improve a person's healing process.
After a period of several months to years, the pink color fades to a pale scar; a hypo-pigmented area remains with a slightly altered skin pattern, forming a mature scar. It can take years for the skin to completely recover, sometimes to a (near) normal appearance.
Appearance of burn scars includes: Color changes — The tissue may be a different color that is either darker or lighter than natural pigmentation. Texture — The scar may have a thick, tough or fibrous texture and can be shiny or smooth. Tissue changes — The tissue may be raised or indented.
Hypertrophic scars occur when there is a lot of tension around a healing wound. These scars are thick and raised, and often red in color. They may remain like this for several years. Hypertrophic scars are the result of an imbalance in collagen at the site of the wound.
Cocoa butter cream and Vaseline are most often used to help reduce the appearance of scars. Applying the ointment daily will help heal scars but will not make them invisible. Another tip for caring for your scars includes surgery. Surgery will not eliminate the scar but can change its shape or make it less noticeable.
Keloid scars
A keloid scar is an overgrowth of tissue that occurs when too much collagen is produced at the site of the wound. The scar keeps growing, even after the wound has healed. Keloid scars are raised above the skin and are red or purple when newly formed, before gradually becoming paler.
Third-degree (full-thickness) burns — Third-degree burns (also called full-thickness burns) extend through all layers of the skin, completely destroying the skin.
Third and fourth-degree burn injuries may medically qualify for federal disability benefits. These injuries are called full-thickness burns, because they affect all layers of the skin.
You may put a thin layer of ointment, such as petroleum jelly or aloe vera, on the burn. The ointment does not need to have antibiotics in it. Some antibiotic ointments can cause an allergic reaction. Do not use cream, lotion, oil, cortisone, butter, or egg white.
Your new skin will therefore look pink, red or purple. Over the following few months, the pigment will slowly return and begin to look similar to your surrounding skin. This is a long and slow process that can take up to 2 years. Some pigment may never return and the skin will stay lighter.
Scarring usually develops within the first few months after the burn, peaks around 6 months, and may improve or mature in 12–18 months. Research shows that less severe burns that heal in less than 14 days generally have no scarring.
At the end of this process, which varies in duration and can take up to 2 years, the scar will take on its final appearance: paler, softer and insensitive.
Atrophic scars are the opposite of hypertrophic scars. They are depressed, sunken and often have a pitted appearance.
When a scar first develops on lighter skin, it's usually pink or red. Over time, the pinkish color fades, and the scar becomes slightly darker or lighter than the color of the skin. In people with dark skin, scars often appear as dark spots. Sometimes scars itch, and they may be painful or tender.
Brown has reviewed at least three controlled studies showing no proven benefit when Mederma is used for scar treatment. You would see more benefit from applying lotion or Vaseline to a scar – three times per day for 8 weeks – than you would following the same regimen with Mederma.
For best results, you should perform scar massage for at least 10 minutes, twice a day, for six months. You should only stop sooner than that if the scar starts showing signs of infection or you experience intolerable discomfort.
Scar Process
It will take six to 18 months for the scar to have its final appearance. Your scar should gradually soften and fade over these six to 18 months, but will look pink initially (photo B). Some scars never fade. If your scar stays pink after 12 to 18 months please call to discuss options.