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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Bayat A, et al. (2003). Skin scarring.
- Bayat A, et al. (2003). Skin scarring.
- Gozali MV, et al. (2015). Effective treatments of atrophic acne scars.
- Gozali MV, et al. (2015). Effective treatments of atrophic acne scars.
- Keloid scar. (2018).
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How to Remove Burn Scars From My Skin
Scars are a result of the body's natural healing process. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the worse your initial injury, the more likely you are to develop a scar as the wound heals. Burns are no exception to this rule. Deeper burns develop into darker scars while shallow burns are lighter or may not scar at all. When dealing with burn scars, it is important to make sure that you have done all you can to prevent massive scarring and then work from there once the burn has healed.
Massage your scar with moisturizer to increase circulation to the site. According to "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies," increased circulation will also help collagen to be evenly distributed throughout the skin. This leads to flattening and fading of burn scars with daily use.
Visit your dermatologist for a chemical peel to eliminate the outer layers of damaged skin. According to The American Academy of Dermatology, fruit acids are applied to your skin using a large cotton swab. The acids eat away at the dead, damaged skin of the burn and are then neutralized. Treatment frequency depends on the severity of your scarring,
Apply sunscreen to your scar when going outdoors. The sun's harmful UV rays cause scars to darken, making them more noticeable while inhibiting the natural healing process. According to "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies," it is important to apply a sunscreen of SPF 25 or higher for adequate protection.
Opt for cryosurgery from your plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Cryosurgery uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the outer skin layers and eliminate the damaged and excess tissue, according to The American Academy of Dermatology. The skin blisters during treatment and peels off within one week post-procedure.
Eat plenty of vitamin-C- and zinc-enriched foods. Foods high in vitamin C include citrus fruits, broccoli and potatoes. Ideal zinc-enriched foods include Brazil nuts, peanuts and lean beef. Vitamin C and zinc nourish your skin from the inside out by building collagen around the skin's blood vessels, according to "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies."
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