Hot Water Bottle Scalds and How Medical Tattooing Can Help
Hot water bottles are a common source of comfort, but they can also pose a serious risk. Every year, people suffer burns from leaking or burst bottles, often leading to scarring, hypopigmentation, and even the need for skin grafts. These injuries aren’t always minor – some affect small areas, while others cover the torso or limbs, leaving lasting physical and emotional impacts.
The Lasting Impact of Scalds
Scald burns from hot water bottles can cause a loss of pigment (hypopigmentation), textural changes, and permanent scarring. In severe cases where deep tissue is damaged, skin grafts may be necessary. While surgery and medical treatments focus on healing, many people are left with highly visible reminders of their injuries – areas of scar tissue that look and feel different from the surrounding skin.
How Medical Tattooing Helps
Medical tattooing is a specialist technique that uses pigment to restore colour to scarred or depigmented skin. It doesn’t remove scars, but it can significantly reduce their visibility, helping them blend more naturally with the surrounding skin.
For people recovering from scald injuries, medical tattooing offers:
• Camouflage for hypopigmented areas
• A more natural skin tone appearance
• An option for those who aren’t suitable for or don’t want further surgery
It’s important to understand that results vary based on the severity of the injury, the quality of the scar tissue, and individual skin responses – but for many, it can make a real difference.
A Personal Perspective
My patient experienced a severe hot water bottle burn that led to hypopigmentation and scarring. After struggling with the visibility of the injury, she explored medical tattooing as an option. She originally had two treatments in February and March 2022, and this year, she returned for her first colour boost in January 2025.
Below are her before and after photos, showing:
- The burn injury before any tattooing
- Healed after two medical tattoo treatments
- How it looked three years later, before her colour boost
- The results after her colour boost treatment
Patient personal account:
“This all started when I had an accident and spilled boiling water over my left wrist area. I’ll never forget the pain, when everything subsided I was left with a bare rectangular area of very light coloured skin. It didn’t initially bother me as my watch covered the area. But when I was on holiday on the beach I didn’t want to wear my watch and felt very self-conscious about the patch. I didn’t realise skin tattooing existed until I saw an advert for Rae Denman. I was very nervous but Rae put me at ease and explained what she was doing matching the colour to my skin tone. The treatment is slightly uncomfortable but not painful.
Once the area healed I was amazed at the result. It was perfect and you couldn’t see where the patch was at all. You do need to have a touch-up as the skin renews but mine has lasted 3 years. It’s given me back my confidence and I highly recommend Rae and the treatment for anyone with scarring.”
Raising Awareness
Hot water bottle burns are more common than many realise. If you use one regularly, consider these safety tips:
•Always replace hot water bottles every two years (rubber can degrade over time)
•Don’t use boiling water—let it cool slightly before filling
•Check for wear and tear before use
•Use a cover or wrap in a towel to prevent direct skin contact
If you or someone you know has experienced a scald injury and is exploring options for scar camouflage, medical tattooing may be worth considering. Feel free to reach out for more information via info@raedenman.co.uk
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