When our skin is injured, it has the special ability to heal itself. This process starts shortly after the injury with the aim of regenerating the damaged body tissue as quickly as possible. The wound healing process is usually divided into three phases which flow smoothly into one another, however, and are not clearly distinguishable:
Phase 1: The cleaning process (exudative phase)
With the bleeding of the wound contaminants and injured tissue are also flushed out. A few minutes after the injury, the blood vessels contract, the blood clots and the bleeding is stopped. A wound secretion (exudate) develops and carries germs and damaged cells out of the wound. It also provides essential nutrients needed for cell metabolism. Depending on the size of the wound, this phase can last from a few hours up to three days.
Phase 2: The tissue formation process (granulation phase)
In the first week after the injury, new cell and vascular rich connective tissue is formed, mainly by fibroblasts. They produce collagen which provides stability to the new tissue. Capillaries spread and form vascular granulation tissue. This is well supplied with blood, and has a deep red appearance. The focus of wound care in the granulation phase is on protecting the new tissue and maintaining a moist and warm wound environment.
Phase 3: The regeneration process (epithelialisation phase)
In the final phase, new skin cells (epithelial cells) are formed, which spread irregularly over the wound and gradually hide it. Due to the formation of collagen fibres, scar tissue can form, being red and soft at first, but fading with time. Depending on the size of the wound, the regeneration process can take from one to several weeks.
The wound healing process works best in a moist environment protected from germs. This is because cells which are essential for the regeneration of the skin multiply very quickly in a moist environment, ensuring a gentle healing. The rather outdated notion that wounds must air-dry to heal well has been disproved, because the thick scab crust that forms then rather delays the healing process and can lead to scarring.
It is therefore useful for even the smallest wound to quickly apply a plaster, as this prevents the penetration of harmful germs from the outside and guarantees a moist wound environment.
The advantage of the quality plasters of DermaPast® is that they do not stick to the wound, allowing the wound to exudate and perform its task undisturbed. They are also skin-friendly due to hypoallergenic adhesive, and air-permeable. Find out more about the plasters here.
With the bleeding of the wound contaminants and injured tissue are also flushed out. A few minutes after the injury, the blood vessels contract, the blood clots and the bleeding is stopped. A wound secretion (exudate) develops and carries germs and damaged cells out of the wound. It also provides essential nutrients needed for cell metabolism. Depending on the size of the wound, this phase can last from a few hours up to three days.
Phase 2: The tissue formation process (granulation phase)
In the first week after the injury, new cell and vascular rich connective tissue is formed, mainly by fibroblasts. They produce collagen which provides stability to the new tissue. Capillaries spread and form vascular granulation tissue. This is well supplied with blood, and has a deep red appearance. The focus of wound care in the granulation phase is on protecting the new tissue and maintaining a moist and warm wound environment.
Phase 3: The regeneration process (epithelialisation phase)
In the final phase, new skin cells (epithelial cells) are formed, which spread irregularly over the wound and gradually hide it. Due to the formation of collagen fibres, scar tissue can form, being red and soft at first, but fading with time. Depending on the size of the wound, the regeneration process can take from one to several weeks.
The wound healing process works best in a moist environment protected from germs. This is because cells which are essential for the regeneration of the skin multiply very quickly in a moist environment, ensuring a gentle healing. The rather outdated notion that wounds must air-dry to heal well has been disproved, because the thick scab crust that forms then rather delays the healing process and can lead to scarring.
It is therefore useful for even the smallest wound to quickly apply a plaster, as this prevents the penetration of harmful germs from the outside and guarantees a moist wound environment.
The advantage of the quality plasters of DermaPast® is that they do not stick to the wound, allowing the wound to exudate and perform its task undisturbed. They are also skin-friendly due to hypoallergenic adhesive, and air-permeable. Find out more about the plasters here.
Please note:
Although we have created all our texts with the utmost care, these are no substitute for medical treatment and advice. These pages are not intended as a guide to self-medication and treatment. For questions about wound treatment, please always contact a healthcare professional.
Although we have created all our texts with the utmost care, these are no substitute for medical treatment and advice. These pages are not intended as a guide to self-medication and treatment. For questions about wound treatment, please always contact a healthcare professional.