Scar Removal Q&A
69%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
31 Reviews
Scar Removalbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Scar Removal Cost: $1,860

Learn about Scar Removal

1,382 people and 360 doctors are talking about Scar Removal

Get Free Email Updates

Reducing a Flat, Dark Scar from Iron Burn

asked 1 year ago by 5985anon
Latest answer by Anifat Balogun, MD
Question viewed 1,669 times
Tags: arms, burn, burn scar, mederma

Hello, I have a flat, old (4 months) burn scar from an iron that I am desperately wanting to reduce. It is very smooth compared to the surrounding skin, not raised at all but very dark and unsightly on my arm. I have tried Mederma with no satisfaction and just bought ScarAway silicone sheets to try. I don't know what else to try if the sheets don't work and really, really want the scar to improve! Also, the picture makes it seem lighter than it actually is in real life...

4 answers to Reducing a Flat, Dark Scar from Iron Burn

+1

Improving a flat dark scar

First, keep in mind that most every scar will improve over time. Your scar is still relatively young, and will likely improve without much more than routine skin care. To prevent hyperpigmentation, I counsel my patients to use daily sunscreen and keeping a healing wound away from sun as much as possible. Check with a plastic surgeon or dermatologist so they can evaluate the burn to see if anything further can be helpful. At 4 months, you can safely use a lightening cream to improve... more
Anifat Balogun, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Fading creams and chemical peels would work best

Fading creams like Triluma combined with light chemical peels would speed up the healing
Boris Zaks, MD

Los Angeles Dermatologist
+1

Not a scar, just post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

What your picture appears to be is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.  There may be a slight scar in the middle, but the blurriness of the picture makes it hard for me to determing.  Most of the time, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation clears on its own, although it may take 6-12 months.  I agree that sunscreen use is essential to prevent it from darkening anymore.  You could talk to your dermatologists about hydroquinone creams; sometimes they can help expedite... more
Brent Spencer, MD

Frisco Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Pigmentation not scar is the problem

It sound like you have suffered a burn injury.  The area is still very young.  It will take up to a year or so the pigmentation to possibly improve.  I would recommend sunscreen to prevent further darkening of the area. Laser therapy may improve the area once the area is very mature. Dr. ES
Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question