Scars after burns are a serious problem. Not only do they remind of unpleasant events, but they also represent a large aesthetic defect. Moreover, they are able to take very large sizes. The skin in this area can have not only a different structure, but also color. Sometimes scars cause discomfort - the skin in this area hurts or causes a feeling of tightening. Consider methods for removing burn scars.
How does a burn occur?
Burns are divided into thermal (fire, hot objects are a factor of skin damage), chemical (caused by chemicals) and electrical (where the cause of burns is the starting current).
Thermal tissue damage leads to a number of changes, the severity of which depends on the extent of burns. From a medical point of view, these changes are primarily:
- in protein denaturation;
- swelling of the wound;
- fluid loss (increased vascular permeability).
The greatest danger to a person when getting a burn is shock caused by loss of fluid in the blood (with extensive burns), wound infection, damage to the respiratory system (burns of the respiratory tract are very dangerous).
In the case of an electric burn, in addition to exposure to high temperature on the skin of a person, an electric current passes through his body and causes not only local damage, but can also lead to loss of consciousness, cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest due to paralysis of the respiratory center.
The severity of the burn depends on the voltage of the electric current, the type of current (electric alternating current is more dangerous than direct current) and the electrical resistance of tissues (tissues with the least resistance, i.e. vessels, nerves and muscles, are subjected to the greatest damage). A characteristic feature of electric burns is the increase over time of the area of tissue necrosis.
How is the degree of burn estimated?
The most commonly used burn separation is damage depth separation. This separation allows us to assess the degree of tissue damage. It is sometimes difficult to assess the degree of burn immediately after an accident. An adequate assessment of damaged tissue is possible only after a few days from getting a burn.
Four degrees of burns are distinguished, while the second degree is divided into two subgroups:
- Grade 1 applies only to the epidermis. Its symptoms are redness of the skin, pain, itching appears in a few days. Such burns heal on their own and do not leave scars.
- A burn of the 2nd degree superficial (2a) includes not only the epidermis, but also a part of the dermis. Manifested by redness and the appearance of blisters with serous fluid. Healing lasts up to 3 weeks without leaving scars.
- A 2nd degree deep burn (2b) includes the epidermis along with the full thickness of the dermis. The skin is white, and the pain is less, since the receptors and nerve endings are damaged. Such a burn heals longer and leaves scars.
- A 3rd degree burn includes skin with skin nerves and blood vessels, as well as subcutaneous tissue. The skin is pale with a brown tint, hard and dry. Heals for a long time, the patient often needs a skin transplant. After this type of burns, scars remain.
- A 4th degree burn is the most severe degree of burns. Necrosis extends to deeper tissues (muscles, tendons, bones).
Scar formation after burns
Scars from burns (pictured above) are damaged tissue that has failed to fully and properly recover. The skin can have not only a changed color, but also a structure. It is important to understand that a scar can form as a result of contact with fire, and, for example, with acid and other substances, solutions.
Of great importance is not only the size of the damage, but also the depth. It is this property that determines how difficult the treatment of burn scars will be.
In addition to the appearance of scars and roughness of the skin surface, the source of the problem is its strong redness. Although such traces are gradually smoothed out over the two years after the incident, but most often their visibility remains clear. This is a problem, especially when the scars are visible and have a large area.
How to get rid of a scar from a burn with medical methods
Caring for scars after burns is a long process. Treatment should begin in the first days after wound healing.
If the scar is not extensive and deep, it is enough to use creams or ointments that contain onion extract, allantoin and heparin, sodium. These substances affect the metabolism of connective tissue and prevent scarring. It is desirable that pharmaceutical preparations additionally contain vitamins A, E and D.
The most important component of such a preparation is also silicone, which has many beneficial properties. First of all, it brightens, reduces scars after burns. In addition, temporarily reduces the appearance of age spots, providing them with a matte finish. A professional gel or ointment for scars after burns ensures proper hydration of the skin.
All creams, gels and ointments should be regularly applied to a fresh scar. The active ingredients contained in them gradually soften and smooth out damaged tissues, so this treatment can last up to several months. After this, the scar becomes lighter and less noticeable.
How to apply creams on scars? Apply a thin layer of cream on the changed surface of the skin 2-3 times a day. Remember that such drugs cannot be used on wounds that have not yet healed.
Silicone patches
Here is another medical way how to remove a scar after a burn. Ointment is a solution designed to treat small scars. When the scar has a large area, silicone plasters are certainly best suited, which adhere firmly to the skin and last for up to 24 hours. They are a hardened sticky silicone gel for scars. This kind of treatment can be carried out both on fresh and mature scars.
Medicinal plants
In folk medicine, so that there is no burn scar left, compresses from some plants are used:
- onion - the extract from this plant dissolves fibrin (a component of the insoluble protein that creates blood clots), and therefore, evens out and brightens the scar. Onions also have antibacterial effects;
- flax seeds, and specifically the oils contained in them, have anti-inflammatory effects, as well as soften and facilitate the healing of wounds and prevent the appearance of visible scars;
- Calendula officinalis - flower extracts of this plant (oil and alcohol) accelerate the healing process of all types of wounds, including burn scars;
- rose seed oil makes the skin supple and reduces bulge scars.
How to get rid of a scar in a cosmetologist’s office?
To reduce extensive, but shallow scars, chemical peels or the so-called dermabrasion - mechanical abrasion of the epidermis are used. To get visible results, the procedure must be repeated every month. During this type of procedure, the epidermis is removed to the dermis. Thus, collagen fibers are stimulated and skin regeneration occurs.
When deciding how to get rid of a burn scar, you should use a less invasive procedure called microdermabrasion. This is grinding the skin with the help of nozzles containing diamond chips. During the procedure, subsequent layers of the epidermis exfoliate, so that the scars become smaller.
Laser scar removal
Many people ask themselves: how to get rid of a burn scar if all of the above methods do not work? An alternative is laser scar treatment. The right type of laser therapy can help slow down the scarring process, as well as remove existing skin changes. However, it should be remembered that this type of treatment has a number of contraindications, which include, in particular, childhood, pregnancy, numerous diseases and ailments, including epilepsy, heart disease. Importantly, this is a very expensive process.
To remove a burn scar with a laser, a total of 3 to 5 procedures are needed every 3-6 weeks. The procedure is rather painful, however, the first results are visible after 4-5 weeks.
Expert advice and recommendations
Many experts recommend observing the rules for caring for the affected area during the healing period. In no case should you remove the crust formed on a sensitive and incompletely formed layer of new skin. This threatens the formation of deep scars and infection of an unhealed wound.
At least a year from getting burns, protect the scar from sunlight and avoid visits to the solarium. Even small, but intermittent irradiations can contribute to discoloration of scar tissue, which makes it more noticeable.
When wondering how to get rid of scars after a burn, use the above effective methods. Remember that you should take measures at the right time to reduce their thickness, as this will make them less noticeable. The treatment of scars after burns can be lengthy and require a lot of effort, so do not give up when the first difficulties arise.
Now you know how to get rid of a burn scar.