Burn Awareness: Understanding, Treating, and Healing Your Skin
By: Stephanie Nussbaum
My Experience with Burns and Skin Recovery
Hi, I'm Stephanie Nussbaum, a Licensed Aesthetician with 19 years of experience specializing in skincare and laser treatments. I have had the privilege of treating severe burns and scars with advanced laser technology. My expertise has allowed me to help patients reduce scarring, improve skin texture, and regain confidence.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked with individuals recovering from a range of burns, including topical burns, thermal burns, chemical burns, electrical burns, radiation burns, and sun burns by utilizing specialized laser therapies to enhance the skin's healing process and ensuring they heal safely and effectively.
Burn awareness is more than just knowing how to treat a sunburn—it’s about understanding how different burns affect the skin and how to help it recover in the best way possible. The right approach can mean the difference between lasting scars and healthy, resilient skin.
Understanding Burns
The most common type of burn is thermal burns, which occur from direct contact with heat sources such as fire, hot surfaces, steam, and hot liquids. Flame and scald burns being the leading causes.
Burns vary in severity, and proper treatment depends on their classification:
First-degree burns: Affect only the outer layer of the skin, causing redness and mild pain (like a typical sunburn).
Second-degree burns: Go deeper, causing blisters, swelling, and more significant discomfort.
Third-degree burns: Destroy the epidermis and dermis, sometimes reaching the fat layer beneath the skin. Because it damages nerve endings, it may not be painful initially but should require immediate medical attention.,
Fourth-degree burns: This is the deepest and most severe of burns, extends beyond the skin. These always require immediate medical intervention.
Treating Burns at Home
For minor burns, quick and proper treatment can prevent long-term damage and help your skin heal faster:
Cool the burn – Run cool (not cold) water over the area for 10-15 minutes or apply a cool, damp compress. Never use ice, as it can make the damage worse (When ice is applied to a burn, it constricts blood vessels and reduces circulation, slowing healing and potentially worsening tissue damage, leading to irritation, numbness, or even frostbite-like effects.).
Keep it clean – Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser to avoid irritation and reduce the risk of infection.
Moisturize and protect – Burns cause moisture loss, so keeping the skin hydrated is essential for healing. Aim for products that are natural, organic, and free from alcohol and harsh chemicals to avoid further irritation and support gentle recovery.
Avoid popping blisters – Let the skin heal naturally to prevent infection and scarring.
Use soothing ingredients – Aloe vera, honey, gentle oils, copper peptides, and hyaluronic acid can help calm and repair damaged skin while reducing inflammation and promoting healing.
Skincare Support for Burn Recovery
Healing doesn’t stop after the initial treatment, weeks to months after—your skin still needs extra care to repair itself fully. This is where using the right products post healing makes all the difference. Everyone is different and needs adjust, but Here are some of my recommendations:
OIL.AF: For body oil you want something that is packed with nourishing, anti-inflammatory oils that deeply hydrate and help repair compromised skin. Thats why I created OIL.AF.
CLEARSTEM HYDRAGLOW Stem Cell Moisturizer: Regenerating, Restoring, Hydrating HYDRAGLOW is a Stem Cell Moisturizer with Bakuchiol & Squalane. This crafted stem cell moisturizer has bakuchiol (a natural alternative to retinol), plant stem cells, and olive squalane. Bakuchiol in your moisturizer is your secret weapon for collagen.
Colorescience Flex Face SPF: Protect your face with Mineral SPF for broad-spectrum sun protection. This lightweight, antioxidant-rich, all-mineral formula is powered by patented EnviroScreen® Technology, Defense against UVA/UVB, Blue Light, Pollution, and Infrared radiation. Combined with advanced antioxidants and nourishing, hydrating ingredients, it ensures long-term skin health and protection from further burn damage. (I love ALL Colorescience products)!
EltaMD UV AOX Mist Broad-Spectrum SPF 40: A sheer-finish 100% mineral sunscreen spray that’s enriched with antioxidants to help prevent premature aging and rejuvenate skin. lightweight and water-resistant formula gentle enough to wear daily and leaves skin feeling hydrated and moisturized. White-to-clear technology, the only time you see the sunscreen is when you’re spraying it on (so you don’t miss a spot!)!
Prevention
Always use SPF: Daily sunscreen use protects against UV burns and long-term sun damage.
Be cautious in the kitchen: Avoid steam burns and be mindful of hot surfaces.
Protect your skin from harsh treatments: Over-exfoliating or using strong acids can compromise your skin barrier, leading to heavy irritation and sensitivity.
Stay safe around chemicals and hot tools: Wear protective gloves and be mindful of exposure.
Keep a first aid kit handy: Having proper bandages, antibiotic ointments, and soothing treatments readily available can make a big difference in how burns and scars heal.
Burns can be painful, but with the right care, your skin can heal beautifully. If you're ever unsure about the severity of an injury, always seek medical advice. And for everyday skin recovery, nourishing, gentle ingredients are your best friend.