Top 5 Ways to Reduce Burn Scars

Most people are familiar with first-, second-, and third-degree burns, but burns can occur in many forms, including thermal, chemical, electrical, radiation, and sun-related injuries. Any of these can lead to long-term scarring if not properly managed.

The good news is that effective strategies exist to support healing and reduce the appearance of burn scars. Whether your injury was minor or severe, the following approaches can help promote recovery and minimize scarring.

1. Apply Pressure

Wearing pressure garments is one of the most effective ways to reduce the formation of burn scars.

How pressure therapy helps

• Reduced blood flow: Gentle pressure limits oxygen delivery to scar tissue, encouraging faster scar maturation.
• Improved collagen alignment: Continuous pressure helps collagen fibers form in a smoother, more skin-like pattern, reducing thick or raised scars.

What to wear:

Pressure garments include elastic sleeves, gloves, vests, and stockings. These should be worn:

• Once the wound has healed and pressure therapy is safe
• For up to 23 hours a day (remove for up to 1 hour for bathing and skin care)
• For 12–18 months, depending on scar severity

Fit is key! While garments are available online, a trained fitter can help you find the right fit to provide the right compression level and best results. Our therapists can help you choose the garment that’s right for you.

2. Use the Right Wound Dressing

Proper wound care is essential to prevent infection and promote scar-free healing.  After a burn, the skin loses its natural barrier, making it more vulnerable. Choosing burn care products that match the stage of healing can help facilitate healing and reduce scaring and discoloraion.

Early Wound Care

Protection, prevention of infection and maintaining proper hydration are the key points to early wound care when there are still openings in the skin. 

Tips to promote healing include: 

Medical-grade honey:  Medical-grade honey is a natural antibiotic that can:

• Be applied early after a minor burn
• Draw moisture out of the wound
• Dehydrate bacteria and reduce the risk of infection

Dressing tips:

• In the early stages, you may need to change the dressing twice daily
• As healing progresses, dressings can remain for several days, depending on drainage
• Effective wound care creates an ideal healing environment and minimizes complications that can worsen scarring.

Once Your Wound Has Closed

Once the wound has healed - there are no open areas in the skin - other products can help promote a flater, lighter more mobile scar:

Silicone Products:  

Silicone has long been a recommended scar treatment.  It improves scar appearance by:

• Hydrating the tissue – creates a semi-occlusive barrier that locks in moister and keeps the scar hydrated
• Regulating collagen production – keeping the scar hydrated helps prevent excessive collagen buildup
• Forming a protective barrier – protects the scar from friction, bacteria, environmental irritants and UV exposure t reduce inflammation, redness and the risk of hyperpigmentation
• Optimizing temperature – silicone can slightly increase the temperature of the skin, promoting enzymatic activity tat remodels scar tissue into a mor normal texture.

Silicone is available in gel, sheet, and tape forms. Silicone sheets and tapes offer the added benefit of providing gentle pressure, which can further support scar healing and improve overall results.

To get the best results from silicone products:

• Start silicone therapy after the wound has fully closed to avoid interfering with natural healing
• Use consistently for at least 12 hours per day for 8-12 weeks

Silishield Technology is a new silicone product that offers a patented crosslinking silicone in which the silicon polymer chains “crosslink” to create a three-dimensional polymer network resulting in a stronger, more durable silicone.  This “super silicon” forms an invisible shield over the scar area and protects it from UV damage, softens and flattens scars, and reduces redness and discoloration.

Creams & Gels for Dark Spots & Discoloration: 

A number of creams and gels are designed not only to help lighten scars but also to improve overall skin tone. When choosing a product, look for creams or gels that contain active ingredients such as:

Tranexamic Acid:  Tranexamic acid works by decreasing melanin formation resulting in lightening of the scar.

Niacinamide:  Niacinamide promotes production of key proteins and lipids and reduces trans-epidermal water loss helping to improve integrity and maintain hydration of the outer most layer of the skin – essential for protecting against environmental damage.

Azelaic Acid:  Azelaic acid is a gentle exfoliant that helps remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin and is generally milder than alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). This can help reduce pigmentation and improve skin tone. However, it should be used cautiously on previously burned skin, which may remain fragile and sensitive. Azelaic acid can also increase sensitivity to the sun, so consistent sun protection is important during use.

Cortisone Injections, Gels & Creams:  Triamcinolone is a corticosteroid commonly used to treat raised or thickened scars. It can be delivered through direct injections into the scar or applied topically in prescription creams or gels.  It is a laboratory-produced medication that closely mimics naturally occurring corticosteroids in the body. It works by binding to glucocorticoid receptors, increasing the production of anti-inflammatory proteins while reducing the activity of inflammatory cytokines, enzymes, and adhesion molecules. By decreasing inflammation and limiting excessive collagen formation, triamcinolone helps soften and flatten scar tissue over time.

Corticosteroid Precautions: 

• Because triamcinolone suppresses the immune system’s ability to cause inflammation, risk for infection is greater, especially for people who are immune compromised.
• People with diabetes need to be aware that triamcinolone can raise blood sugar levels and monitor blood sugar levels.
• Skin irritation and dryness are side effects for some.
• Prolonged use – more than 30 days – or high doses – above 40 mg per day - of steroids or corticosteroids can have serious systemic effects

Low Level Laser and Red Light Therapy:  These treatments gently stimulate collagen production, reduce inflammation, promote healing and improve overall skin tone.

• Low level laser or photo-biomodulation uses red or near-infrared light which is part of the invisible infrared spectrum – 810 to 850 nanometers. 
• Red light therapy uses red LED lights, which are part of the visible wavelength spectrum – 630 – 660 nanometers and may require more treatments to achieve desired results.

3. Prioritize Nutrition & Vitamins

Healing from burns isn’t just about what you apply to the skin—it’s also about what you put into your body.  Burn injuries increase your body's nutritional needs. Without proper nutrition, healing can slow, and immune defenses may weaken.

Key nutrients:

• Multivitamins: Look for ones containing vitamins A, C, E, and B complex. These support skin regeneration, collagen production, and overall immune health.
• Protein: Essential for rebuilding damaged tissue. Burn injuries increase protein loss, so supplementation is crucial.
• Carbohydrates: The body uses glucose (from carbs) for energy, especially during healing.
• Fats: Healthy fats provide extra energy and support cellular repair.

Focus on healthy fats:

• Monounsaturated fats (e.g., olive oil, avocado, almonds): May improve cholesterol and blood sugar control.
• Polyunsaturated fats, especially omega-3s (e.g., salmon, flaxseed, walnuts): Can lower inflammation and promote healing.

Proper nutrition provides the building blocks your body needs to restore skin and prevent excessive scar tissue.

4. Moisturize Regularly

After a burn heals, the skin often feels dry and itchy due to damage to natural oil glands. Moisturizing helps relieve discomfort and keeps healing skin flexible and healthy.

Types of moisturizers:

• Water-based moisturizers absorb quickly and provide immediate hydration.
• Oil-based or thicker moisturizers are slower to absorb but better at sealing in moisture.

For best results, apply moisturizer several times a day—especially after bathing.

5. Seek Professional Treatment

Serious burns require professional medical and rehabilitative care.  While minor first- and second-degree burns may heal with home care, deep second-degree, third-, and fourth-degree burns typically need advanced treatment to:

• Prevent infection
• Support tissue regeneration
• Reduce long-term scarring

Early Wound Care - What to expect:

• Immediate medical evaluation to determine the severity and prevent complications
• Rehabilitative therapy, once cleared by your doctor, to improve mobility, reduce scar tightness, and restore function

After Your Wound Has Healed:

Even with careful attention and proper care, scars can become raised, discolored and hypertrophic.  The good news is there are medical intervetions available to improve scar appearance.  These interventions include:

Fractional CO2 Lasers and Microneedling:  These treatments are effective for burn scars and can start 3 months after the burn has healed.  They can significantly improve the appearance of burn scars by stimulating collagen production and scar remodeling: 

• Fractional CO2 laser works by creating microscopic holes in the scar tissue.
• Microneedling, It involves using a device with fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. 

This breaks down the dense, irregular collagen fibers, triggers production of collagen and elastin, and promotes angiogenesis or formation of new blood vessels to improve blood flow to the treated area which helps the body to heal and remodel the scar.  Multiple sessions may be required, and some report discomfort.

Pulse Dye Lasers or PDL lasers:  PDL laser treatment is particularly effective for hypertrophic scars.  It targets and destroys blood vessels beneath the skin.  This targeted approach allows the laser to reduce redness, flatten and lighten the scar, improve the texture, and potentially soften the scar.  Multiple sessions may be required for noticeable improvements

Intense Pulsed Light or IPL Treatment:  IPL treatment is not a laser treatment but uses a broad spectrum of light wave lengths that “flash” to target and treat skin redness and discoloration.  It is gentler and suitable for a wider range of skin issues but may require more sessions to achieve desired results.

Conclusion

Everyone heals at a different pace, and burn scars can vary depending on the type and depth of the burn, your overall health, and how quickly you begin treatment.

To reduce scarring:

• Use pressure garments
• Apply the right wound dressing
• Maintain a nutrient-rich diet
• Moisturize regularly
• Seek professional care when needed

Each of these strategies works best when tailored to your specific situation. Our trained rehabilitation therapists can create a customized recovery plan that supports healing, improves quality of life, and reduces the risk of long-term disability.  You can hear how therapy helped Natalie reclaim her life after a burn injury. 

Let us help guide your recovery.  Ready to begin your healing journey?  Contact us at 256-509-4398 today to schedule your consultation with a burn rehabilitation expert.