Burns: treatment & aftercare

First aid for burns

Quick and correct first aid can make a big difference in burn recovery. Follow these essential steps, based on NHS guidelines:

• Stop the burning process, but always ensure your own safety first.
• Remove clothing and jewellery near the burn, unless it’s stuck to the skin.
• Cool the burn with lukewarm (not cold) running water for at least 20 minutes.
• Seek medical help if needed: if the burn is large, deep, on sensitive areas (face, hands, joints), or caused by chemicals or electricity.

For additional information on first aid for burns and when to go to the hospital or call 111, check the NHS website.

Types of burns

• First-degree burns are mild surface burns (e.g. mild sunburn). The skin may be red and dry but usually heals within a few days to a week. Scarring is rare, unless there’s infection or excessive sun exposure during healing.
• Second-degree burns These burns go deeper into the dermis and often cause blisters, swelling, and intense pain. There’s a high risk of long-term scarring, especially without proper aftercare.
• Third-degree burns destroy destroy all layers of the skin and can affect underlying tissues. The area may appear white, charred, or leathery. Scarring is almost always inevitable, even after surgery or skin grafting.

While first-degree burns (such as mild sunburn) heal without scarring, deeper burns require specialist care once the wound is closed. ALHYDRAN plays a key role in supporting this crucial phase of healing.

Are you dealing with a scar after a burn? Learn how to care for it properly on our burn scar page

Why aftercare matters

Even after a burn has healed on the surface, the skin remains vulnerable. Common long-term complaints are:

• Itchy and painful skin
• Tightness or pulling sensations
• Reduced mobility near joints
• Discolouration and redness
• Increased sensitivity to sunlight
• Raised or thickened scar tissue (hypertrophic scars or keloids)

Proper aftercare hydrates, protects, and helps your skin regenerate. With its medical-grade formula, ALHYDRAN provides the targeted care your skin needs.

ALHYDRAN: medical aftercare for burns

ALHYDRAN is not a first-aid cream, but it plays a crucial role after the wound has closed. Its powerful formula supports long-term skin recovery and helps prevent ongoing complaints:

• Hydrates the disrupted skin barrier
• Reduces redness, itching, and dryness
• Restores elasticity and improves comfort
• Scientifically proven to support burn aftercare

It is used in burn centres and hospitals worldwide for over 20 years and trusted by professionals to restore comfort and skin quality after burns.

How does ALHYDRAN help burn treatment?

ALHYDRAN combines fresh Aloe Vera gel with high-quality ingredients that provide:

• Deeply hydrate the skin to restore moisture balance
• Reduce trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) by forming a semi-occlusive barrier
• Relieve common scar symptoms such as redness, itching and pain
• Improve skin elasticity and suppleness to reduce tightness and discomfort
• Support long-term healing and help improve the appearance of burn scars

Sun protection for burned skin

Burned skin is extra sensitive to sunlight, even long after healing. Use ALHYDRAN SPF 30 for the same intensive hydration with broad-spectrum UV protection, helping prevent hyperpigmentation and further damage.

Scientifically proven effectiveness

A scientific study by Ghent University focused on scar care after burns. The results were published in the respected medical journal Burns.
Researchers investigated how well hydrating creams – including ALHYDRAN – work for treating burn scars. The findings of the research can be summed up in 2 words: ALHYDRAN works.

The research assessed three key areas:

• Skin sealing: How well the cream prevents moisture loss.
• Hydration: The ability to moisturise scarred skin effectively.
• Duration: How long the beneficial effects last.

ALHYDRAN scored highly in all areas, thanks to its unique formula that includes freshly processed Aloe Vera gel. The study used a technique called tape stripping to create identical controlled skin lesions on participants, allowing direct comparison between untreated skin, skin treated with hydrating cream, and healthy skin. The result: ALHYDRAN significantly improved hydration and skin condition, confirming its role as a powerful treatment for burn scars.

Scar management by means of occlusion and hydration: A comparative study of silicones versus a hydrating gel-cream.
Author(s): Hoeksema H, de Vos M, Verbelen J, Pirayesh A, Monstrey S.
Publication: Burns 2013

When should you use ALHYDRAN?

• Only after wound closure: ALHYDRAN is not suitable for open wounds. Begin application once the skin is fully closed and dry.
• For long-term scar care: Apply regularly to burn scars, grafted skin, and the surrounding area.
• During sun exposure: Burn scars are highly sensitive to UV rays. Use ALHYDRAN SPF 30 to hydrate the skin and protect it from further damage caused by sunlight.

Literature references

We believe it is important that the claims we make have a solid basis. The information is based on various sources: