Whether a hot water burn will leave a scar depends on the depth of the burn. Scalds are categorized as first-degree burns, second-degree burns and third-degree burns. I degree burns, also known as erythema burns, where the heat damage is in the epidermal layer of the skin, can heal in about 10 days and leave no scar after healing. Second-degree burns are further divided into superficial second-degree burns and deep second-degree burns. The superficial second-degree burns damage is in the epidermis and the superficial layer of the dermis, while the deep second-degree burns damage is in the deeper layer of the dermis. The healing time for superficial II degree burns is around 10-14 days. After healing, superficial II degree burns may have hyperpigmentation, but there will be no obvious scarring. The healing time for deep II degree burns is about 3-4 weeks, and if combined with infection the healing time will be prolonged and scarring will remain after healing. A third-degree burn is a full-layer skin injury that may require surgical skin grafting and often leaves a scar after healing.