Burn Scars – A 50% Chance of Serious Scars from Burns, Even From Less Serious Burns

The more serious the  burn the greater the scarring.  One new study finds half of all serious burns develop hypertrophic scars (tough, fibrous, reddened tissue).

For example, a simple cigarette burn is  serious injury. It’s because the intense heat of red-hot tobacco sears deep into the skin layers.  Burns begin to heal from the bottom. When the damaged tissue is deep, there is more chance the burn scar tissue will pile up. A  hypertrophic scar piles up above the skin level.  Burn scar treatment should begin early.

There is another reason a simple home burn can become hypertrophic is infection. We tend to forget smaller burn scars once they stop hurting. But it takes up to three weeks for a burn to heal over. It is susceptible to infection all of that time. Infection slows healing. The slower the healing the more scar tissue will pile up.

Other examples of burn scars to consider serious are kitchen burns, campfire burns, motorcycle exhaust burns on the leg, and burn from outdoor barbecue mishaps.

Advice:  keep the wound covered. Scar therapy helps. A silicone scar gel applied once the wound has closed will retain moisture, which reduces scarring. Silicone is also effective at discouraging tough scar fibres.