Minimizing Burn Scars at SNU Plastic Surgery, a Gangnam Burn Hospital

Hello. This is SNU Plastic Surgery Clinic, which also provides burn treatment as a Gangnam burn hospital.

The term ‘burn’ uses the Chinese character for fire (火) and injury (傷). While burns are often caused by flames, the term has become a general term for all burn accidents, as burn injuries and scars can result from various other causes.

Therefore, burns include not only flames but also scalds, contact burns, chemical burns, electrical burns, and liquid burns. Among these, the most common cause of both major and minor burn accidents is not flames, but scalds.

Scalds can be caused by hot liquids like soup in a earthenware pot or ramen broth. If you accidentally spill a hot pot during a meal or ramen broth onto your skin, it can result in at least a first-degree or second-degree burn.

One might think, ‘Oh, this can happen commonly in daily life,’ and indeed, annual burn accident statistics show that the highest incidence occurs in infants and toddlers, and middle-aged adults. The most common location for burn accidents is not public facilities related to work, but within the home.

However, many people still remain unaware of the seriousness of burns, even after a long time.

While severe burns are easily identifiable, ambiguous burns are often neglected, with people wondering if treatment is even necessary.

As a result, many people ignore permanent red spots on their skin or irregular new skin growth, thinking it's not a big problem. However, when it comes to any burn accident, big or small, you should not try to assess its condition yourself.

Doing so could lead to devastating cosmetic and functional consequences. Therefore, even for minor burn accidents, we at SNU Plastic Surgery Clinic, which also serves as a Gangnam burn hospital, provide appropriate burn treatment.

Burn Stages

Burns are classified into first-degree to third-degree burns, and while very severe fourth-degree burns also exist, these often lead to permanent disability or death.

Most hospitals treat first-degree to third-degree burns. However, burn hospitals are not present in every region of Korea. While we commonly see plastic surgery, orthopedic, dermatology, internal medicine, and ENT clinics on the streets, burn hospitals themselves are rarely considered.

Since it is true that there are few burn hospitals, those who are wondering where and how to treat major and minor burn accidents can also do so at plastic surgery facilities like SNU Plastic Surgery Clinic.

Burn Treatment at a Plastic Surgery Clinic?

How could one even imagine receiving burn treatment at a plastic surgery clinic? For a long time, plastic surgery has focused more on surgical changes to appearance and body shape than non-surgical methods. This inherently involves directly handling the skin, so surgical experience with skin is naturally high.

Therefore, if you suffer a burn and can't find a Gangnam burn hospital nearby, you might discover that plastic surgery clinics also handle burn-related issues. When you visit a plastic surgery clinic, the extent of skin damage can be assessed visually, but imaging equipment is used to accurately determine the depth.

Burns are classified into first- to third-degree depending on their depth: first-degree burns affect the epidermis, second-degree burns affect the dermis, and third-degree burns penetrate deeper.

Facilities like SNU Plastic Surgery Clinic have performed various skin-related procedures for numerous clients for cosmetic purposes, including incision for implant insertion, injection procedures, fat removal, and suturing. Therefore, we also carry out procedures to minimize skin damage for burn patients.

Since second-degree burns and above leave scars, adhering to the ‘golden hour’ is crucial to minimize them.

So, if you were looking for a nearby Gangnam burn hospital but feel it's a bit far, you can come to a facility like SNU Plastic Surgery Clinic if it's closer. Adhering to the golden hour, to reiterate, is to minimize scarring.

Scars can cause significant cosmetic damage depending on the area, and very rapid treatment is especially important for burns on the face.

At our clinic, we provide systematic burn treatment for patients seeking care after a burn injury. After initial burn treatment, we proceed with surgical treatment followed by scar management procedures.

While medical insurance typically does not apply to plastic surgery for cosmetic purposes, it does apply to patients who visit for burn treatment or to improve functional loss. Specifically, burn treatment is covered by medical insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of burns are there?

Yes, burns can result from various causes, including flames, scalds, contact, chemicals, electricity, and liquids. Among these, scalds from hot liquids like soup or ramen broth are the most common in daily life.

Do even minor burns require treatment?

Yes, even minor burns, if self-diagnosed and neglected, can lead to permanent red spots or irregular new skin growth, causing critical cosmetic and functional issues. Therefore, appropriate treatment is crucial.

Can I receive burn treatment at a plastic surgery clinic?

Yes, it is possible. In Korea, where burn hospitals are scarce, you can receive burn treatment at plastic surgery facilities like SNU Plastic Surgery Clinic. Plastic surgeons have extensive surgical experience directly handling skin, allowing them to minimize skin damage for burn patients.

How can burn scars be minimized?

To minimize burn scars, adhering to the ‘golden hour’ for initial treatment is extremely important. Especially for second-degree burns and above, prompt treatment is necessary to prevent scarring, and it is even more critical for facial burns.

Is burn treatment covered by medical insurance?

Yes, burn treatment is covered by medical insurance. While cosmetic procedures at a plastic surgery clinic are not typically covered, treatments for burns or to improve functional loss are eligible for medical insurance benefits.