How To Heal A Curling Iron Burn, Stat - Byrdie

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How to Heal a Curling Iron Burn Fast, According to Dermatologists By Dacy Knight Dacy Knight Dacy was previously an editor at Byrdie and is now a contributor covering skincare. Her work has appeared in Who What Wear, WWD, InStyle and Bustle. Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 01, 2024 01:44PM Reviewed by Julia A. Siegel, MD Reviewed by Julia A. Siegel, MD Julia A. Siegel, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in Boston, Massachusetts. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and has authored several peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.  About Byrdie's Beauty & Wellness Board Board-Certified Dermatologist

No matter how much of a pro we think we are at wielding hot tools, the time inevitably comes where we singe ourselves. Painful burns on the face, neck, hand, or wrist courtesy of a curling iron are actually more common than you think.

"Treating a burn from a curling iron is similar to treating a burn from any other heat source. The goal is to remove the heat source as soon as possible, reduce inflammation, and treat skin in such a way to optimize healing,' says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp.

Any burn can lead to long-term damage and scarring and it's important you treat the wound properly to avoid infection and minimize your chance of scarring. We asked two board-certified dermatologists and a wound care nurse to weigh in on how to heal a curling iron burn at home. Keep scrolling for their advice on what you should and shouldn't do to a fresh burn.

Meet the Experts

• Anna Guanche, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and celebrity skin care expert.
• Brendan Camp, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology.
• Meghan Brown, RN, is the nurse manager for the wound center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire.

01 of 08

Cool It Down With a Cold Compress

Camp says that immediately after burning the skin, you'll want to cool it down, which "can constrict blood vessels and limit features of the skin’s inflammatory response, such as redness, swelling, and blister formation."

Avoid using ice cubes, which can actually make the burn worse—instead, use a cold compress such as a bag of ice wrapped in a washcloth. "Ice compresses or a cold wet compress can be applied to the area to limit swelling," he adds. If you burned your face, Camp says that sleeping on two pillows overnight can elevate the burn and "limit swelling by preventing the pooling of inflammatory fluids in the face."

02 of 08

Assess the Damage

Once you've cooled down the burn, assess the damage. It's usually the case that most curling iron burns are first-degree and can be treated at home without medical intervention. However, if the burn results in blisters, discharge, or severe color change, immediately seek medical care.

03 of 08

Disinfect and Protect the Burn

Once you've assessed the damage, it's important to disinfect and protect the burn to prevent infection. "Use a gentle facial cleanser and tepid water to clean the burn and the surrounding skin. Avoid the use of hydrogen peroxide, which can damage healthy skin cells and may affect healing," says Camp.

Always wash your hands thoroughly before cleaning and applying ointment. Do not use hydrogen peroxide, as this can destroy the healthy tissue along the wound and further damage the skin. Avoid using cosmetics or any products with fragrances or active ingredients near the area as this could irritate the burn.

04 of 08

Soothe and Moisturize the Area

"There is a saying amongst us nurses: 'A dry cell is a dead cell,'" notes Brown. "So keeping a wound moist aids the healing process." In the first few days of recovery, the antibacterial ointment you apply should pull double duty, not only disinfecting and protecting your wound but also keeping it moisturized. After those initial days, you can continue moisturizing with a thick ointment like Aquaphor or Vaseline to speed up healing and reduce the risk of scarring.

Byrdie Tip

To manage any pain, try over-the-counter options like cortisone cream to reduce inflammation and ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory agent that can also reduce pain associated with the burn.

05 of 08

Minimize Your Risk of Scarring

Although you can't prevent scarring, you can minimize the appearance of a scar.

"Keep the area covered and protected with a bandage or dressing. Stay out of the sun and apply SPF to the affected area to reduce hyperpigmentation, or dark coloration, which is exacerbated by sun exposure during the healing process," says Guanche.

"Scarring is more likely to happen if a blister develops. Do not pop the blister, allow it to heal on its own," says Camp. If a blister does rupture and a scab forms, Camp notes to keep it moist with a healing ointment to "to prevent it from becoming too thick that it limits the skin’s ability to re-epithelialize (grow new layers underneath) or close."

06 of 08

Reduce Hyperpigmentation

Once your scar has started to heal, you'll probably want to reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (or PIH, for short) as much as possible. "If the site is healed you must continue to practice sun protection. Use of brightening topical creams that contain arbutin, kojic acid, hydroquinone, or licorice extract will help to lighten the pigmentation," says Guanche. "A visit to the dermatologist for a series of mild superficial peels and prescription-strength retinoids with hydroquinone might be necessary."

07 of 08

Don't Pick

As tempting as it might be, avoid picking at or popping your blister. They are actually there to protect you. Guanche advises, "Do not pop them! If they pop naturally, leave on the remaining skin. The skin acts as protection. If the blister is tense, it can be released with a clean, sharp pin and drained, but ideally by your dermatologist. Do not unroof the blister as the skin will be raw and more likely to scar."

08 of 08

Avoid Future Burns

Most curling iron burns happen because we're rushing or not giving the process our full attention. Be sure to use caution when styling your hair, especially when using a hot tool close to your hairline or neck. It's also a good idea to wear some sort of glove or protective hand gear when using hot tools to avoid burns on the hands. Some curling rods come with a heat-resistant glove to protect you and your skin. Minimize distractions and avoid styling when you're very tired if you can. And lastly, try to begin styling further from your roots when possible.

FAQ

• Can you cover the burn with makeup?

  You can, but Guanche advises against doing so. "It is important to ensure that it is healed and not raw. If applying makeup to a fresh burn, you are at risk of causing infection," she says.

• Should I apply sunscreen on the burn only, or all over the skin?

  If the skin is open and oozing, wait until the skin has healed over before applying any topicals other than Vaseline, Aquaphor, and antibiotic ointments. Instead of sunscreen, you can cover the burn with a bandage.

Article Sources Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

1. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Scars.

2. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Proper wound care: how to minimize a scar.

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