There are four wound healing phases that every wound goes through, including:
When you injure your skin, your body kicks off this healing process right away and begins to repair the damaged tissue. Different types and sizes of wounds take longer to heal than others, but they all go through the same healing stages.
The objective of the hemostasis phase of wound healing is to stop any bleeding. To do so, your body activates its blood clotting system. When your blood clots at the opening of a wound, it prevents you from losing too much blood and it is the first step of your wound closing up.
This stage can last up to two days, depending on how deep your wound is.
Once phase one is complete and your body is no longer bleeding, your body activates its key defence mechanism – inflammation.
This phase works to kill bacteria and remove debris with white and other blood cells. Inflammation ensures that your wound is clean and ready for new tissue to start growing.
This phase can be the most painful of all. It is often when you’ll notice some reddening, heat and pain as your blood rushes to the wound to clean it. Inflammation generally takes up to six days and should go away.
If you experience excessive pain, heat and/or reddening (all signs of your inflammation response working in overdrive), your wound could have become infected. An infected wound can be dangerous, so always ask a doctor to take a look.
Once your wound is clean, your body will begin the proliferation phase of wound healing. This stage involves closing your wound.
Phase three can be broken down into three semi-phases, including:
This phase can last four days to almost a month, depending on the surface area of your wound.
During this phase, the new tissue that your body built in phase three, needs to strengthen and build flexibility.
This stage can take the longest, sometimes taking over a year to fully repair. But, once fully recovered, your skin should be pretty close to as strong as it was before it was wounded. The healing process is one of the body’s most extraordinary functions, but it can be delayed by aggravators like infection and poor wound care. It’s a smart idea to learn how to properly dress a wound so you can maximise your body’s ability to heal properly.
Caring for skin abrasions is essential to promote healing and prevent infection. Start by cleaning the affected area with mild soap and water, gently patting it dry with a clean cloth. Applying a wound ointment and covering the abrasion with a sterile bandage can help keep it clean and protected. Change the plaster or dressing daily or whenever it becomes dirty or wet.
The healing process is one of the body’s most extraordinary functions, but it can be delayed by aggravators like infection and poor wound care. It’s a smart idea to learn how to properly dress a wound so you can maximise your body’s ability to heal properly.
Heal your wound quickly by following these 3 key steps:
This process can help your wounds heal up to 2x faster and lower the risk of scarring.
What are the signs of wound healing?
Common Signs of wound healing include common signs of wound healing:
What promotes wound healing?
Wound healing is a complex process that can be influenced by various factors. Promoting optimal wound healing can involve:
Do wounds heal faster covered or uncovered?
Wounds generally heal better and faster when they are covered and kept in a moist environment.
Always see a doctor if the wound is deep, bleeds heavily or shows signs of infection like reddening, swelling or warmth. Please note that none of the above given tips or recommendations substitute medical advice. Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products' packages. Important: consult a health professional in case of any uncertainty of treating your wound properly.
For further information regarding Elastoplast products, please contact us via email on support.anz@elastoplast.com.au (AU and NZ). Carefully read the instructions for use given in our products' packages.
