Treatment Options · Burn Scar · Los Angeles
Burn Scar Treatment Options at Kare Plastic Surgery
The right treatment depends on the scar type, location, age, and skin tone. Most patients benefit from a combination of approaches rather than a single modality.
Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing
The gold standard for burn scar treatment. Fractional CO2 laser creates thousands of microscopic treatment zones in the scar tissue, stimulating new collagen production while leaving surrounding skin intact for faster healing. It progressively smooths raised texture, reduces discoloration, softens hypertrophic scars, and improves the overall blending of the scar with surrounding skin. Most patients need three to six sessions spaced six to eight weeks apart. Downtime is approximately five to seven days. Safe for all skin types when performed with the appropriate settings.
Chemical Peels
Medical grade chemical peels increase cell turnover, stimulate collagen, and reduce the pigmentation irregularities common in burn scars. They are particularly effective for flat or atrophic burn scars where discoloration and surface texture are the primary concerns. Peel depth is selected based on the scar type and the patient's skin tone. Chemical peels are often used in alternating sessions with fractional laser to achieve a more complete surface improvement between laser treatments.
Surgical Scar Revision
Some burn scars require surgery to achieve meaningful improvement. Surgical options include direct excision with layered tension-free closure, Z-plasty to release contracture and reorient the scar, W-plasty for irregular scar edges, and skin grafting when sufficient healthy local tissue is not available to close the defect after excision. Dr. Karamanoukian selects the surgical approach based on the specific anatomy and functional needs of each patient. Learn more on our scar revision page and our surgical scar techniques page.
Steroid Injections and Vbeam Laser
Intralesional steroid injections flatten and soften raised hypertrophic burn scars by suppressing the overactive collagen-producing cells within the scar. They are given in a series at four to six week intervals and can be started six to eight weeks after the burn has fully healed. Vbeam pulsed dye laser targets the redness and vascularity that give fresh or hypertrophic burn scars their red or pink color, reducing both the color and the inflammatory activity that keeps the scar elevated. Both are frequently combined with fractional laser in a comprehensive treatment program.
Silicone Therapy
Medical grade silicone sheets or gel worn daily over a burn scar reduce itching, flatten raised scars, and maintain the moisture that supports healthy scar remodeling. They are most effective when started early and used consistently. Dr. Karamanoukian recommends silicone therapy as a home treatment used between in-office sessions for the best combined result.
Skin Grafting and Tissue Expansion
Extensive burn scars that involve large surface areas or critical functional areas may require skin grafting, in which healthy skin from a donor site is used to cover the scarred area, or tissue expansion, in which a balloon placed beneath healthy skin adjacent to the scar gradually stretches the skin until enough new tissue is available to replace the scar. Dr. Karamanoukian performs these advanced reconstructive techniques for patients with complex burn scar presentations.
Kare Plastic Surgery · Santa Monica, Los Angeles
Schedule Your Burn Scar Consultation with Dr. Karamanoukian
Burn scars on the face, neck, and hands receive special attention at Kare Plastic Surgery: These are the areas where a visible scar has the greatest daily impact on a patient's life and confidence. Dr. Karamanoukian treats burn scars in all of these areas with the same individualized attention to anatomy, skin tone, and the combination of techniques most likely to produce a meaningful and natural result. Patients come to Kare Plastic Surgery from across Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Malibu, and beyond. Call (310) 998-5533 for a same-week consultation.
"Burn scars carry a story that patients often wish they could put behind them. My job is to help them move forward by giving them the best possible improvement in how the scar looks and feels. That takes the right combination of treatments, the right timing, and a plan that is honest about what is achievable."
— Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian · Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon · Kare Plastic Surgery, Los Angeles
Frequently Asked Questions
Can burn scars be treated with laser?
Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing is one of the most effective treatments for burn scars. The laser stimulates new collagen production and progressively smooths, flattens, and improves the texture and color of the scar over multiple sessions. Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles uses fractional CO2 laser as a primary treatment for hypertrophic, flat, and discolored burn scars. Call (310) 998-5533.
Do burn scars require surgery?
Mild to moderate burn scars can often be significantly improved with laser resurfacing, chemical peels, and steroid injections alone. More severe scars, particularly contracture scars that restrict movement, may require surgical revision using excision, Z-plasty, or skin grafting. Dr. Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery evaluates each burn scar individually. Call (310) 998-5533.
How many laser sessions are needed for a burn scar?
Most burn scars require three to six fractional laser sessions for significant improvement, spaced six to eight weeks apart. Each session produces cumulative improvement that continues for several months after treatment. Dr. Karamanoukian advises each patient on the expected number of sessions at consultation. Call (310) 998-5533.
Are burn scar treatments safe for darker skin tones?
Yes, when performed with the appropriate technique for each skin type. Patients with darker skin tones are treated with settings designed to minimize the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Dr. Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery tailors every protocol to the patient's Fitzpatrick skin type. Call (310) 998-5533.
When can burn scar treatment begin?
Non-surgical treatments including steroid injections and silicone therapy can begin six to eight weeks after the burn has fully healed. Laser resurfacing and chemical peels are typically started when the wound is fully closed and the skin is no longer actively healing. Surgical scar revision for mature scars is generally deferred until at least twelve months after the original burn. Dr. Karamanoukian evaluates each patient individually and advises on the optimal timing. Call (310) 998-5533.
Schedule Your Burn Scar Consultation