Hollywood life ask Marisa Martino, prominent NYC skin care expert and owner of SKINNEY Medspa, the best way to treat a curling iron burn for the article “How to Fix a Curling Iron Burn – Poor Stefanie Scott” by Dory Larrabee-Zayas.
How to Treat a Curling Iron Burn
If you are burned by a curling iron, follow these four steps, according to Martino:
- Cool the area. Put a cold compress (not ice) on the burn to draw out the remaining heat.
- Don’t touch! Covering the burn with makeup right away can do more harm than good. Makeup contains chemicals that can irritate the burn more.
- Put an antibiotic ointment on, such as Bacitracin or Neosporin.
- Wait. Your body needs time to heal and make new skin. Keep the burn dry and don’t put any cleansers or products directly on area.”
But what should you do if the curling iron burn leaves a scar? The following answers comon questions and addresses misconceptions about diminishing the appearance of scars.
4 Things You Can Do and 2 Things You Should Never Do to Diminish the Appearance of Scars
Protect Scars from the Sun
Remember to cover the scar (and any exposed skin for that matter) with a broad ban sunscreen before going outside. This is especially important for the first year following the creation of a new scar. When the skin is healing itself from a wound the cells that create pigment go into overdrive, causing scar tissue to become extremely photosensitive. Sun exposure on a fresh scar can significantly enhance its discoloration.
Even when your scar is more than a year old, you should still take care to protect it from the sun. Scar tissue is composed of an inferior protein structure compared to regular skin tissue, making it weaker and less resilient against UV radiation.
Tanning Does Not Diminish the Appearance of Scars
Do not be fooled by the myth that sun tanning diminishes the appearance of scars. After basking in the sun, your tan may match the discoloration of the scar more than it usually does, making it seem like the scar has faded, but in reality, when you tan your skin, you also tan your scar, and scars cannot recuperate the same way your normal skin does. So once your tan fades, not only will your scar show up again, but often times, it will appear darker, having been damaged by the sun exposure.
Diminish the Appearance of a Scar with Makeup
A much better way to quickly diminish a scar, especially acne scars, is by covering them up with makeup. Mineral makeup works best, blending the scars in with the rest of the skin. Avoid liquid concealer if possible. If the scar is indented, as most acne scars are, the concealer may gather in the grove, creating the “caked on” effect.
Related Article: How to Get Rid of Acne Scars
Does Vitamin D Reduce the Appearance of Scars?
Theoretically, Vitamin D contains antioxidants, which are known to reduce inflammation and prevent the formation of free radicals (which hinder the healing process.) But studies have shown Vitamin D to have minimal effects on diminishing the appearance of scars.
What About Cocoa Butter?
Cocoa Butter can potentially minimize the appearance of a scar, if applied during the healing stages. Many dermatologist believe that Cocoa Butter itself has little effect on the appearance of a scar. Rather, benefits occur by massaging the scar when applying the butter. Massaging a newly formed scar may improve blood circulation, minimizing its discoloration and enhancing its healing. It can also improve the elasticity that is usually lost with scar tissue.
However, the benefits of massaging newly formed scars are still minimal, at best.
Related Article: How to Get Rid of Stretch Marks
Proven Treatments to Diminish the Appearance of Scars
For actual results in reducing the appearance of scars, you’ll need the help of professional treatment, this can include cortisol injections, microdermabrasion, a chemical peel or laser scar removal.
