Laser Surgery
Shriners Children's uses innovative laser surgery to treat scars, resulting in the best outcomes and overall experience for your child.
Burn Scars
With advanced treatments and world-class expertise, Shriners Children's cares for, and improves the lives of children with burn scars every day.
At Shriners Children’s, we are improving outcomes and changing lives using the most advanced technology and techniques to manage scars. Whether a child’s burn mark is a result of a burn or other traumatic injury, our team can work to restore the patient to the most optimal functional and cosmetic state, using surgical and/or non-surgical scar management. Regardless of degree of burn, our techniques can help reduce the appearance of burn scars, whether the burn marks are on a child’s face or other part of the body. Children with second degree burn scars or deeper can benefit from our scar management program.
Shriners Children's Burn Care Accreditation
Three Shriners Children's locations providing burn care are accredited by the American Burn Association (ABA) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS) as verified pediatric burn centers.
We have a strong connection to and history with the ABA. All of the Shriners Children's burn care chiefs of staff at the above locations have been presidents of the ABA. These distinctions display the depth of the burn care support services we provide, as well as the vast amounts of research we lead on behalf of our patients and children around the world who’ve been burned.
At the Forefront of Scar Management
Skin grafting is highly effective in closing acute wounds quickly, but the recovery can be painful and the area from which the graft is taken, known as the donor site, is left scarred. Additionally, both the grafted area and the donor site can develop thick hypertrophic scars that impair mobility and function, and result in less than optimal cosmetic results.
Non-surgical, compression therapy treatment involves wearing pressure garments, clear masks and other appliances 23 hours a day for the first year to reduce scarring, which peaks between three and six months after the initial burn.
Scars can never be completely erased but there are options to improve the appearance of scars or reduce the size of a burn mark in some cases. This can be done through minimally invasive surgery, use of tissue expanders and/or by complete surgical revision using advanced wound closure techniques.
Leaders in Laser Medicine
Today, clinical practice is changing and doctors may recommend letting some less severe wounds heal on their own, without grafting, eliminating additional donor site scarring. After healing has occurred, plastic surgeons at Shriners Children’s can use pulsed dye and CO2 lasers to minimize raised scarring, known as hypertrophy, and restore the skin to its pre-injury state. In cases where grafting was necessary and hypertrophic scars develop, lasers are very effective at reducing the scars and improving the patient’s overall appearance without further surgery.
Specific treatments and services may vary by location. Please contact a specific location for more information.
Learn About Burn Scar Treatments
When you and your child meet our team of specialized plastic surgeons, you’ll see with your own eyes why Shriners Children's is world-renowned for being leaders in pediatric burn care. Our physicians stay abreast of advances in burn care through organizations such as the American Burn Association (ABA), and incorporate the most advanced treatments for scar management in their practices.
Every treatment plan is as unique as your child. Read more about burn scar treatment options.
The most common treatments are:
Laser medicine decreases hospitalization and does not cause deformity in other parts of the body. These advances are not only keeping kids out of the operating room, but are contributing to better outcomes and a better long-term quality of life for our patients.
Locations FOr Burn Scar care
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Shriners Children's provides specialty health care to children around the world. We offer a comprehensive range of treatments, services and support to improve the quality of our patients’ lives and help them reach their full potential.
Laser Surgery for Scar Improvement and Reduction
With surgery, the appearance of burn scarring may be improved. Additionally, laser surgery may improve mobility caused by growth and hypertrophic, or raised scarring.
Innovative Treatments
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Plastic Surgery
Shriners Children’s experienced pediatric plastic surgeons use reconstructive plastic surgery techniques to bring hope and healing to families dealing with differences involving the face, jaw, eyelids, ears, breasts or skin.
Revision Surgeries
Severe burns may require surgeries to improve mobility, functionality and reduce the appearance of scars. At Shriners Children’s this is part of a comprehensive care plan developed for your child.
Reconstructive Surgery
Shriners Children’s provides innovative, personalized care for children with reconstructive needs.
Scar Management
As burn wounds heal, Shriners Children’s will develop a scar management plan tailored to your child’s needs. Laser technology is very effective at reducing scars and improving their overall appearance.
Skin Grafting
Shriners Children’s is advancing care and healing for children with burns. When a part of the body loses its protective covering, we can perform skin grafting, which is a transplantation of skin from one area of the body to another.
Related Services
- Makeup Clinic
- Child Life Services
- Pressure Garment Therapy
- Psychiatry & Psychological Services
Related Specialties
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Next Steps
Request an Appointment
Families and caregivers seeking treatment should start by contacting us for an appointment.
Log in to the Patient Portal
Parents and guardians of existing patients can email, request records, schedule appointments and more.
Refer a Patient
Physicians and healthcare providers can request appointments, start transfers or contact us with questions.