How to care for cuts, burns and bites

If you get a small cut, it’s likely you’ll treat it with antiseptic and stick on a plaster. A bite might get some Savlon, and a light burn the same. Most of us don’t pay too much attention to minor issues, but whether it’s major or minor, aesthetically the results can be the same.  

Post-inflammatory pigmentation, visible scarring and prolonged redness can all result from an accidental burn, a mishap in the kitchen, a surgical incision or mishandling of a knife while cooking, or an innocuous insect bite. The window in which you can influence the outcome of these burns, bites and cuts is short. 

We spoke to three medical experts about what actually happens to the skin when it’s cut, bitten, or burnt, and how to give it the best possible chance of healing cleanly.

Cuts and surgical incisions

Whether it’s a kitchen accident or a planned surgical incision, a cut sets off the same fundamental repair process, just at different depths. “Cuts and incisions will heal differently depending on how deep they are. Surgical incisions will usually involve deeper tissues and so take longer to heal and have potential for more complications,” explains Dr Tapan Patel, Medical Director and Founder of PHI Clinic.

The immediate priority is keeping the wound clean, protected and consistently moisturised. “You should use a basic moisturiser or skin healing balm and apply with firm massage to reduce tethering that can be caused by tension,” says Patel.

Skin tension (the pulling force across a healing wound) is one of the most under appreciated factors in scar formation. “When tension is high, it sustains inflammation for longer and can lead to a thicker, more visible scar. Regular firm massage as the wound closes helps counteract that, encouraging the tissue to settle more evenly,” he adds.

Silicone gels or sheets are worth introducing once the skin has fully closed. “There is evidence that shows silicone gels and patches help to hydrate and reduce scar tissue production,” says Patel. Silicone creates a protective barrier over the wound keeping it consistently hydrated, which many experts believe is ideal as dry skin during healing tends to overproduce collagen at the wound site. This is what creates raised or thickened scarring, which makes maintaining moisture levels paramount if you want to ensure a flatter outcome over time.

What to avoid is equally important. “Avoid exfoliating or perfumed ingredients as these can cause irritation, dryness and delay healing,” advises Patel. Active ingredients like AHAs, retinoids, and vitamin C should also stay out of your routine until skin has fully closed and sensitivity has reduced.

“Introducing them too early can disrupt the repair process, trigger more inflammation and set healing back,” adds Patel. So be patient.

Once healed, you may still have to contend with redness or hyperpigmentation. “Injuries require an inflammatory response to heal—as a result, the increased blood supply can cause post-inflammatory erythema and pigmentation, leaving a red or brown colour on the skin,” explains Patel. That makes SPF a non-negotiable, as UV exposure deepens post-inflammatory pigmentation and significantly extends how long it lasts.

Insect bites

An insect bite might seem minor, but the inflammatory response it triggers can have a lasting effect on the skin. “Insect bites trigger an immune response—when an insect bites, it injects saliva and proteins into the skin, and some people’s immune systems react far more aggressively to that than others," says Ahmed El Muntasar, Aesthetics Doctor and Founder, The Aesthetic Doctor Clinic.

"That’s why one person can get a tiny bump that disappears within a day, whilst someone else develops significant swelling, blistering or hive-like reactions. Genetics, skin sensitivity, previous exposure and underlying allergic tendencies can all influence how strongly someone reacts,” he explains.

Acting quickly makes a real difference, as the earlier you calm the inflammation down, the better the skin tends to heal.

“Cooling the area with a cold compress can help reduce swelling and itching quite quickly. Ingredients such as calamine, colloidal oatmeal or, in some cases, a mild topical steroid can help soothe the skin. Oral antihistamines can also be useful, particularly if the itching is significant,” says El Muntasar.

Try to avoid rubbing or scratching the area as much as possible, because that’s what often escalates the reaction, and is the single biggest driver of lasting marks.

“The more trauma you create in the skin through scratching, the more inflammation you generate, and that increases the likelihood of prolonged pigmentation, broken skin, secondary infection and occasionally scarring," says El Muntasar.

"This is particularly important in darker skin tones, where even relatively minor inflammation can leave persistent marks—this is because when the skin becomes inflamed, melanocytes are stimulated to produce excess pigment as part of the healing response. Darker skin tones are naturally more prone to this because melanocytes are more reactive. Often the bite itself settles quite quickly, but the pigmentation can remain for weeks or even months afterwards."

Once the skin has healed, ingredients such as azelaic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, retinoids and tranexamic acid can all help improve post-inflammatory pigmentation over time. “Daily SPF is also extremely important because UV exposure can darken pigmentation further and make it last much longer,” says El Muntasar.

"The most important thing is not to pick at the skin or pop blisters, as that increases the risk of infection and scarring,” he adds. If swelling is severe, spreading, or accompanied by breathing difficulties, seek medical attention promptly.

Burns

Of the three, burns are the injury most likely to leave a lasting mark, and the one most frequently mismanaged at home. Whether it's a cooking accident, a sunburn or a reaction to an in-clinic energy device, the process is the same.

"A burn injures every layer of the skin involved, even when only the upper layers are damaged," explains Doctor Milvia Di Gioia, Head of Regenerative Aesthetic Medicine at Reborne Longevity.

"The injury triggers inflammation that leads fibroblasts to lay down disorganised, thicker collagen, which can produce textural changes ranging from mild irregularities, to true hypertrophic scars. At the same time, melanocytes respond to inflammatory signals by producing too much pigment and distributing it unevenly," explains Di Gioia. 

In some cases the damage is so intense that melanocytes stop producing pigment altogether, leaving white patches that can be permanent. If your first instinct is to run the burn under cold water, you’re not wrong. The single most evidence-based first step is to run cool water over the burn for 20 minutes, within three hours of the injury.

"This reduces tissue temperature, limits ongoing heat damage and dampens the inflammatory cascade that drives scarring and pigmentation," says Di Gioia. After cooling, keep the area clean, moist and covered with a dressing. Avoid butter, toothpaste, oils and other home remedies: at best they trap heat, at worst they introduce an infection.  

When it comes to types of burns, a treatment burn post-laser or device is still a real burn and should be treated as such. “Don't pick crusts or disturb blisters—both act as biological dressings that protect the wound bed and promote healing. In terms of skincare, keep it minimal; a gentle cleanser, fragrance-free moisturiser and mineral SPF 50+" shares Di Gioia.

"Active ingredients wise, retinoids, acids, and vitamin C, should be avoided until the skin has fully closed and is no longer tender, at which point niacinamide, azelaic acid and tranexamic acid can be gradually introduced to address any lingering pigmentation.”

Like with a cut or bite, skin tone affects how a burn mark presents long-term. Lighter skin tends to show persistent redness, while deeper skin tones are more prone to brown or grey pigmentation that can last months.

"Sun is the single biggest reason pigmentation persists," says Di Gioia. This makes a daily SPF the most important product you can use during your healing journey. However, if a burn site is still red, raised or dark after two weeks, see a dermatologist as early intervention is significantly more effective than late.