Information About Scars After a Burn Injury

Burns are, essentially, wounds to the skin. A scar will form as the burn heals, if it is a serious burn.

Unlike other wounds to the skin, scars from serious burns can continue to grow long after the injury — due to the extensive nature of the burn and the slow process of healing. Also unlike other skin wounds, serious burn wounds may require multiple surgeries for scar management or to minimize the negative physiological and psychological effects of scarring.

Three Types of Burn Scars

The type of scar that develops depends on your skin type, the type of original injury and how your body heals. Some scars fade as time passes, whereas others may grow. Plastic surgery may be required or requested to minimize the appearance of burn scars — this can be a major step in a burn patient's rehabilitation process.

Keloid Scars

Keloid scars are scars that are highly raised above the surface of the skin. Keloiding is more prevalent among people with darker skin. Even after surgery, keloid scars from a burn injury tend to recur — and sometimes they require multiple surgeries.

Hypertrophic Scars

Hypertrophic scars are raised from the skin but not to the extent a keloid scar is. Hypertrophic scars are thick and ropelike layers of scar tissue. A common scar management technique to lessen hypertrophic scars in burn patients is the use of pressure garments.

Burn Contractures

As a burn injury heals, the skin tissue in the burn area tends to contract. A permanent shortening of burn scar tissue is called a contracture. A contracture can pull joints out of position or inhibit growth in young people — resulting in physical impairment if not treated.

Contractures must be "released" via a surgical procedure to lessen the tightening of skin. Often, multiple contracture surgeries are necessary over the course of the patient's life.