There are many types of burns: 1)Heat burns (thermal burns) are caused by fire, steam, hot objects, or hot liquids. Scald burns with hot liquid are the most common burns to children and older adults. 2)Electrical burns are caused by contact with electrical sources or by lightning. 3)Chemical burns are caused by contact with household or industrial chemicals in a liquid, solid, or gas form. Natural foods such as chili peppers, which contain a substance irritating to the skin, can cause a burning sensation. 4)Radiation burns are caused by the sun, tanning booths, sunlamps, X-rays, or radiation therapy for cancer treatment. 5)Friction burns are caused by contact with any hard surface such as roads (road rash), carpets, or gym floor surfaces. They are usually both a scrape (abrasion) and a heat burn. Friction burns to the skin are seen in athletes who fall on floors, courts, or tracks. Motorcycle or bicycle riders who have road accidents while not wearing protective clothing might get friction burns.

First-degree burns are minor burns on the first layer of skin. There are two types of second-degree burns: Superficial partial-thickness burns injure the first and second layers of skin. Deep partial-thickness burns injure deeper skin layers. Third-degree burns injure all the skin layers and tissue under the skin. Fourth-degree burns extend through the skin to injure muscle, ligaments, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and bones. These burns always require medical treatment.

There are two major types of Surgical Procedures that can help to conceal scarring and replace lost tissue for severe burn victims: Dermabrasion and Skin Grafts.