Rinsing a burn with cool water for at least 20 minutes limits tissue damage and reduces scarring by stopping residual heat from penetrating deeper into the skin, according to scientific guidance reported by Illustrerad Vetenskap.
How Residual Heat Damages Skin
Heat does not disappear immediately after the source of a burn is removed. According to the report, the skin retains thermal energy that continues to “cook” the underlying tissue even after the initial contact with a hot object or liquid has ended.
This process allows a burn to progress in depth if left untreated. Rinsing the affected area serves to draw this trapped heat out of the skin, effectively halting the damage and preventing a superficial burn from becoming a deeper, more severe injury.
The Importance of Duration and Temperature
The duration of the cooling process is critical for effectiveness. Scientific guidance indicates that 20 minutes of continuous rinsing is necessary because the deeper layers of the skin take significantly longer to cool than the surface.
Regarding temperature, the guidance emphasizes the use of cool or lukewarm water rather than freezing temperatures. The goal is to lower the skin temperature safely without inducing further trauma to the tissue.
Why Ice Is Not Recommended
Using ice or extremely cold water on a burn can be counterproductive. According to the scientific findings, extreme cold causes vasoconstriction, which is the narrowing of blood vessels.
This constriction limits blood flow to the injured area, which can hinder the healing process and potentially worsen the tissue damage. In some cases, applying ice directly to burned skin can cause secondary injuries, such as frostbite, further complicating the recovery of the skin barrier.
