Skin resurfacing is mainly used for scars caused by acne, chickenpox or trauma. For severely depressed scars, grafts are often used to fill the defect before resurfacing with a laser. Infection of the burn may lead to permanent scarring or hyperpigmentation, so careful post operative care to maintain a moist wound environment is important. Laser treatment can also be effective in stretch mark treatment. The laser passes through the upper epidermis leaving it undamaged.
New elastin is produced in the deeper layer, resulting in softening or disappearance of the marks.
Dressings Burn scars can be treated with pressure garments. They are most often used on burns that cover a large area and are only effective on recent scars. The garments are tight fitting and usually custom-made from an elastic material. The mode of action is not understood, although it is thought that the continuous pressure on surface blood vessels plays a part. There is a tendency for recently healed skin grafts on burns to contract.