Types of Burns and How We Can Help

Almost 500,000 people in the United States seek medical care for burns each year. Burns describe the damage to skin tissue caused by heat, sunlight, electricity, chemicals, or radiation. 

Burns are graded from first to third degree. The seriousness of a burn depends on its depth and the amount of tissue affected. 

At The Aesthetic Surgery Center, our surgeon Elliott H. Rose, MD, has more than 25 years of experience in improving the appearance and function of people who’ve experienced burns. His burn revision techniques make miraculous transformations in patients’ appearances. People in need of burn reconstruction travel from all over the world to our office in New York City.

Here are the types of burns that people experience and how Dr. Rose can help. 

Burn types

Burns are classified by degree – or severity. The worst burns are third degree. 

First-degree burns

These mild burns affect the top layer of skin. You may have pain and redness, but usually there’s no blistering or long-term damage. Typically, moisture, hydration, balms, and other over-the-counter treatments soothe first-degree burns.

Second-degree burns

Second-degree burns affect both the epidermis (the top layer) and the lower layer, called the dermis. Second-degree burns cause pain, redness, swelling, and blistering. Second-degree burns may cause mild scarring, but can be treated at home or through urgent care services.

Third-degree burns

When you experience a third-degree burn, all of your skin’s layers are damaged. Your epidermis, dermis, and fat are affected, and even hair follicles and sweat glands are destroyed. 

Third-degree burns can also destroy your nerve endings, so you may not even feel pain in the area of the burn itself. The damaged skin appears white, black, or red with a leathery texture. 

When third degree burns cover more than 1% of your body, they’re considered severe.

Help for burn patients

Patients who have suffered third-degree burns require reconstructive surgery. Dr. Rose is adept at reconstructing features of the face, smoothing leathery skin, and creating a more natural look for burn patients. 

He uses advanced techniques like scar revision, tissue expansion, skin grafting, and Fraxel laser treatment to achieve outstanding results. 

Dr. Rose can also remove keloid scars and replace them with samples of your normal tissue to create smooth-looking features. These tissue staples are attached to facial arteries, so they also feel and perform like your natural facial skin. 

Your treatment is customized to your scarring and desired results. Patients from all over the world seek out Dr. Rose for his expertise when it comes to burn scar revision. 

After burn scar revision

Within 1-3 weeks following your burn scar revision surgery, you can get back to most normal activities. You’ll have a visible improvement in your appearance. We can also connect you with a makeup specialist who teaches you how to hide any incisions, lingering scars, and pigment imperfections. 

We want you to feel good about your appearance, even if you’ve suffered devastating burns. We can even help you appeal to your insurance company for coverage of the costs of your cosmetic repair from burns.

If you’ve recovered from severe burns, but have lingering scars, contact the Aesthetic Surgery Center for treatment. Dr. Elliott Rose can transform your appearance. Call our office today or use the online tool to schedule an appointment.