Expert: Jim B - 11/1/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi Jim,

I was drinking really hot tea on Oct.28 when my hand slipped and the tea spilled on my lip and chin. I left it alone for about an hour but started icing it when it started to hurt. A blister formed and popped, I peeled the skin off and have been putting neosporin and A & D ointment on the entire burn area. Right now the area where the blisters where are a bit red while the areas around it are brown, discolored. I just want to know what I should do now to speed healing and make sure a scar doesn't form.

ANSWER: Hi Cat,

You are doing all the right things at this point. Keep it clean with soap and water and try to keep it covered with sterile gauze at least at night. In day time use a little neosporin and some Mederma with sunscreen to protect it from sunlght (the sun is NOT a friend just now. Figure about 10 to 14 days to heal in a superficial sense and a few months for sany residual brownish/reddish skin to start fading.

Hope this helps!

Jim

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Jim,

I attached a picture of the burn on my chin because I'm really worried about scarring. It's pink in the middle surrounded by brown. I know you said it should start to heal in about 2 weeks but I want to know how long it will take for my skin to look like nothing happened. Or will it ever be the same? Also could you describe what it should look like as it heals so I can make sure I can do all I can to prevent a scar? I really appreciate your help!!!

Answer
Hi again Cat,

As burns go it doesn't look too bad. I would expect it to heal normally. How long? It could take a number of months (out to a year.)

But let's look at 3 months down the road or whenever the skin has returned to normal in texture (which could be a lot sooner). At that point sometimes things can be hurried some. Stay away from skin lighteners/bleaches, as they wont help and may make thins worse. But A good and experienced esthatician or dermatologist could begin a program of very gentle microdermabrasion to start to remove what brownish/reddish outer epidermis remains of the burn. The trick is to just remove a little at a time and not create a new injury by going too deep. But at worst, this will heal normally given time. And again, your burn looks pretty good at this point and will heal!

You did not show me a complete picture of your face, but from what you did show I would guess that you are and will remain a very attractive young woman. even with the burn you are still pretty and attractive! Hang in there!

Lets start using the "reddness" version of mederma that has a sunscreen built in. This will help!

Write me again in 30 days and we'll see how things are going.

Hope this helps!

Jim