Fact or Fiction: Can I Get Rid of Burn Scars?

Do you or someone you care for have scars from a burn? If so, you already know how burn scars can affect you physically and emotionally.  

Scarring occurs in about 70 percent of burn injury patients. Because of the physical and emotional tolls that they take, these burns can significantly decrease a person's quality of life.  

Despite being so common and having a significant impact on people's lives, there are several myths about burn scars. One of the biggest myths is whether treatment can completely get rid of a burn scar.  

Scars can develop when burns damage the skin. When burns affect only the top layers of skin, scar tissue fades over time. Burns that damage deeper layers of skin can cause permanent scars, which often have a thick, leathery, or irregular appearance.  

Burn scars can affect the way a person looks. These scars can also stick to underlying tissues, such as muscles and bones, to limit movement and cause pain in the affected area.  

Types of Burn Scars  

There are three main types of burn scars:  

• Hypertrophic scars: raised scar tissue with a pink, purple, or red color that may feel warm and itchy; the most common type of burn scar. 

• Contracture scars: thickened tissue that tightens the skin, muscles, and tendons; can restrict movement.  

• Keloid scars: shiny hairless bumps which can extend outside the original burned area.  

Addressing the Myths of Burn Scar Treatments  

A number of myths surround burn scars and their treatment. The members of Phoenix Society work hard to dispel these myths to give burn survivors, their loved ones, and the community the facts they need to recover from their burn injuries.  

Is it possible to get rid of a burn scar?  

One of the most enduring myths is that treatment can completely erase burn scars. Unfortunately, it is false – burn scars cannot be eliminated completely. However, scars can fade over time.  

Can I lighten a burn scar?  

Yes! Fortunately, you can lighten a burn scar to make it less noticeable. You can also prevent a scar from darkening by protecting it from the sun.  

Can I get rid of my burn scars?  

Burn scars can be stubborn and hard to treat. Fortunately, you can reduce the appearance of burn scars, but you likely won't get rid of them completely.   

Addressing the Appearance of Burn Scars  

There are several ways to reduce the appearance of a burn scar. Patients may benefit from undergoing one or more treatments.  

Laser Therapy  

Laser therapy harnesses the power of light to reduce the appearance of burn scars. While they cannot eliminate scars completely, laser treatments can improve redness, bumps, and other irregularities, tightness, and discomfort.  

There are three types of laser treatments for burn scars, and each works differently:  

• Pulsed dye laser: targets red structures in the skin to improve redness and inflammation  

• Fractional laser: targets water in the skin to improve redness and to even out bumpy or irregular skin  

• Q-Switched laser: breaks up small particles of pigment that can cause unnatural skin color common in burn scars  
  

Compression Garments  

Compression garments can soften hard scars, increase skin strength, and even slow the development of contracture scars. Pressure garments are worn to help burn survivors control scar maturation, and they often improve the overall appearance.  

Scar Massage  

Scar massage can prevent scars from becoming hard and raised. A scar massage's rubbing and deep pressure can also prevent scar tissue from building up or sticking to underlying tissue. Massage will not help soften a scar that is more than two years old.  

Z-plasty  

Z-plasty is a surgical procedure in which surgeons rearrange scar tissue to reduce the tension the tissue causes or to hide the scar. More specifically, the goals of the procedure are to elongate a contracted scar, change the direction of a scar so that it does not cause as much tension, or break the scar up, so it is less noticeable.  

To perform Z-plasty, the surgeon first makes an incision along the length of the scar and then makes several more diagonal incisions that cross the first incision. The size and angle of the diagonal incisions affect the amount of elongation.