Plastic surgery is sought after by many for restoring the function and appearance of one’s damaged, diseased, or defective body parts. People with burn scars can get help with plastic surgery. In this read learn more on burn scars treatment and all potential treatments with the insights shared by the best plastic surgeon in Jaipur.

Burn Scars and Their Treatment

Burn scars are areas of the skin that have become discolored and thick following a heat or chemical burn. They develop when the dermis or deeper layers of the skin are damaged, and the body naturally responds with an inflammatory response. The fibroblasts that lie in the dermis move to the burnt area to form new collagen and elastin fibers.

However, the disorganized collagen remodeling, the excess/little of collagen production, and melanin excess or loss, can lead to the formation of atrophic, hypertrophic, or keloid burn scars with or without hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation. The exact appearance of resulting scars is dictated by the severity of the burn (first, second, or third degree) and how it was initially managed.

To avoid burn scars and even to get immediate relief from burns, doctors recommend following proper initial burn care. This includes the following tips:

• Gently clean the burnt area with cool or lukewarm water and then pat it dry.

• Apply an antiseptic or antibiotic to avoid infection of an open wound.

• Cover the burn with a non-stick bandage using sterile gauze.

• Gently stretch the burned skin daily to prevent tightening of the skin into a contracture and restricted mobility of the burnt body part, as the area heals.

• Daily sun-protect the burnt area with sun-protective clothing and suitable sunscreen as the burnt skin heals.

The existing burn scars are correctable with a variety of methods, including:

1. Use of tailor-fitted compression garments- to reduce scarring

2. Gentle massaging- to soften, flatten scar tissue

3. Topicals with Vitamin E, fatty acids, and a suitable moisturizer- to help fade out minor burn scars

4. Non-surgical procedures- such as cryotherapy to cause freezing death and removal of unusual scar tissue, and advanced laser therapy to regenerate the burnt skin and effectively reduce the scar's appearance

5. Surgery- to reduce the contracture (tightness), ease mobility, and fade out scars of the third-degree burnt area.

Plastic Surgery for Burn Scars

Severe burn scars can be best repaired with various surgical techniques, as briefed below:

• Debridement- This surgery involves excision of dead, infected burn scar tissues, thus deep cleaning the wounded skin.

• Skin grafting- In this procedure, the surgeon may temporarily place sterilized skin of pig or synthetic graft to cover and protect the burn scar and even alleviate discomfort. For natural healing of the burn scar and it is fading out, the surgeon takes skin from the donor site and permanently places it onto the burn scar.

• Z-plasty or W-plasty- It is the rearranging of scar tissues via incisions, either in Z or W shape, to release constriction by lengthening scars, thereby restoring the range of motion of the burnt area.

• Dermabrasion- It is the surgical skin planing technique where the surgeon uses a sterile diamond wheel, wire brush, or a laser to sand down and smooth the raised burn scar surface, thus making it less noticeable.

• Tissue Expansion- It involves placing a tissue expander beneath the skin next to the burn to gradually stretch and create healthy, new skin that will cover the burn scar. 

• Flap Surgery- This is a complex operation reserved for the most severe, large burn scar. The surgery involves covering the large burn scar with skin, fat, or muscle from one area of the body to another. The flap of tissue either remains attached to the existing blood supply or develops a new blood supply in the new location and gradually heals the burn scar.

Need to Repair Burn Scars? Contact at AK Aesthetics Clinic today.

Dr. Akansha Sharma is a highly skilled and experienced plastic surgeon who is top-rated for treating severe burn scars surgically with a suitable, affordable approach. She practices advanced surgeries at AK Aesthetics Clinic, a top-rated centre for cosmetic surgery in Jaipur, with utmost comprehensive care. To know which treatment will work best in repairing your burn scar, schedule a consultation with Dr. Akansha Sharma today.