Burn Scars
With advanced treatments and world-class expertise, Shriners Children's cares for and improves the lives of children with burn scars every day.
Scar Management
At Shriners Children’s, we use the most advanced technology and innovative techniques to manage scars.
Whether a child’s scar is a result of a burn, traumatic injury, animal bite, congenital condition or other source, our pediatric specialists work to restore each patient to the most optimal cosmetic and functional state.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Our plastic and reconstructive surgeons are skilled in scar management. While this is an important component of burn scar treatment, it is also beneficial to patients with scarring from sources such as dog bites, motor vehicle accidents, and cuts or other injuries. With Shriners Children's team of specialists, the goal is to improve the appearance of scars over time while helping the child achieve better mobility if the injury has impacted their range of motion.
Because Shriners Children’s provides all care and services regardless of a family’s ability to pay or insurance status, our surgeons consider all appropriate treatment options to successfully manage your child’s scars. Our pediatric specialists take into consideration how a child will grow, offering each patient the best possible outcome and appearance through childhood and into adulthood.
Compression Garments and Treatment
Pressure garment therapy is used to treat burn scars. Burn wounds that take longer than two to three weeks to heal on their own, or require surgical skin grafting to close, are at the highest risk of developing scars.
Pressure garments help improve the appearance of the skin by providing consistent and even pressure on the healed wound, also promoting increased flexibility and better overall mobility in scarred areas of the body. Patients are fitted with customized pressure garments, with frequent reassessment to monitor progress and provide new garments as they grow.
Our team of physical and occupational therapists at Shriners Children’s follows your child from the initial injury until the healed wound or skin graft is fully mature, which can be anywhere from nine to eighteen months following the injury.
Laser Treatment
LASER stands for “Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation.” Instead of using traditional surgical instruments such as scalpels, laser surgery uses special light beams targeted to specific areas on the body to promote scar tissue healing. Laser treatment can fade burn scars and other kinds of scars.
There are several different types of lasers that can be used in a surgical setting, and each type is used to treat specific forms of scarring. At select Shriners Children's locations, patients may receive laser surgery for scarring on an outpatient basis, allowing continuous treatment with minimal disruption to your family’s schedule.
My patients tell me the things they really care about is that laser treatment helps them move better and itch a lot less, while the parents always say the scars look a lot better and their kids feel a lot better and are more confident about their appearance.
Locations That Offer Scar Management Care
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Shriners Children's provides specialty healthcare to children around the world. We offer a comprehensive range of treatments, services and support to improve the quality of our patients’ lives and help them reach their full potential.
Personalized Treatment, Optimal Results
Navigating the acute and long-term effects of your child’s burn injury can feel overwhelming. Customized pressure garments can help improve the appearance and function of burn scars, promoting greater mobility while boosting their self-confidence.
Conditions We Treat
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Hypertrophic Scars
Hypertrophic scars are raised and often related to burn injuries. They are thick, impairing mobility and function. We use the latest techniques to reduce size and improve appearance.
Third-Degree Burns
At Shriners Children's our team is skilled at treating third degree burns, also referred to as full thickness burns, which are among the most serious burn injuries.
Second-Degree Burns
Shriners Children's treats second-degree burns or partial thickness burns which destroy the top and middle layers of the skin.
Fourth-Degree Burns
World-renowned burn care expertise at Shriners Children's provides hope and life-changing care to children with fourth-degree burns.
Next Steps
Request an Appointment
Families and caregivers seeking treatment should start by contacting us for an appointment.
Log in to the Patient Portal
Parents and guardians of existing patients can email, request records, schedule appointments and more.
Refer a Patient
Physicians and healthcare providers can request appointments, start transfers or contact us with questions.