Burned Yourself with a Curling Iron? Here's What to Do

A curling iron burn seems like a rite of passage. You're curling your hair to achieve the most perfect beachy waves, and end up singing your neck. Ouch. Looking for a quick fix? Don't panic. Fortunately, NYC dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman shared her advice on how to help skin heal and keep it from scarring if you burn yourself with a hot tool.

Related: How to Cure Second-Degree Burns Quickly, According to Experts

Bring the temperature down

Open the freezer and grab a bag of frozen veggies, or, better yet, an ice pack, and set it on the area. If you're not near a kitchen, splash some cold water to the burn. Repeat or maintain contact until the area has cooled down completely. "The longer the heat [from the iron] is on the skin and not reversed, the more damage that can be done. It's essential to bring the temperature of the skin back down," says Engelman.

Moisturize

The burn may enter a blister phase so you'll want to use gentle emollients to promote healing. I religiously applied Renée Rouleau Pro Remedy Oil contains antioxidants and healing benefits via cranberry oil and pomegranate seed oil. Coconut oil fan? We like Jax Coco Organic Coconut Oil. "Coconut oil is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-fungal, so it acts like a natural antiseptic," says Engelman. If you only have creams lying around, keep your choice basic. You don't want to put your anti-aging creams on the burn: Aggressive ingredients (like alpha-hydroxy acids) can irritate the sensitive area, says Engelman.

Don't pick

Consider a scab a natural Band-Aid. "The burn is less likely to scar in a moist environment, under the scab. The skin underneath is regrowing, so you don’t want to reinjure it by lifting off the scab before it's ready to shed naturally," says Engelman. And while scabs can get itchy, resist the urge to scratch, as that may upset the scab and cause it to come off.

Protect the area

Once the burn has healed, apply a physical sunblock with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide daily to shield it from sun damage (which can make any lingering marks darker). "New skin may also be more sensitive. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are not likely to irritate the skin since they’re mineral based," explains Engelman. You might also want to apply a vitamin E oil to prevent scarring.

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