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Wound Healing – Learn how to help wounds heal fast, safely and with a reduced risk of scarring

3 min. read
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As our lives are getting busier and busier, it seems we’re always in a rush to get things done. Yet, every day little injuries, like a small paper cut on the finger, or a minor burn while cooking can get in our way and force us to slow down and attend to our wounds. How can you help your skin heal faster and safer to be able to get on with your life? When injured, we often expect that the wound will heal quickly without leaving a mark. However, wound healing is a complex process and many factors can interfere, delaying the wound healing. Learn about the different signs of wound healing and how to help wounds heal fast, safely and with a reduced risk of scarring.

Understanding the stages of wound healing

Wound healing is a complex process that can be divided into 4 phases.
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Phase 1

Blood clotting: When a wound has been sustained, blood clotting ensures temporary closure of the wound.

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Phase 2

Exudation and Inflammation. Blood vessels in and around the wound area are extended and blood cells migrate into the wound tissue.

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Phase 3

Proliferation and granulation. New cells are formed and the damaged tissue is replaced by ‘granulation’ tissue.

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Phase 4

Epithelialisation and regeneration. The newly formed blood vessels ensure adequate oxygen and nutrient transport. The granulation tissue fills the wound. These phases are followed by maturation, during which the scar tissue reorganises.

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How to speed up wound healing?

1. Cleanse

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A clean wound is the essential first step for optimal healing. Cleanse your wound from dirt, bacteria and visible particles with the Elastoplast Wound Spray to prevent infections.

2. Protect

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The second step is to protect your wound from dirt and bacteria to enable and undisturbed healing. Cover your wound with a plaster, sterile wound dressing or compress from Elastoplast.

3. Heal

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Studies have shown that under moist conditions cells will grow, divide and migrate at an increased rate to optimise the wound healing process. In a moist healing environment, scabs – which inhibit the formation of new tissue – are prevented. This helps reduce the risk of scarring, improving the aesthetic outcome.

The benefits of moist wound healing

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  • No crust formation
  • Faster wound healing
  • Reduced risk of scarring

The advantages of Wound Healing Ointment

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To support and speed up wound healing, apply the Elastoplast Wound Healing Ointment daily until the wound has healed completely and cover it with a Elastoplast plaster, sterile dressing or compress if needed. The ointment forms a protective barrier on the wound while creating an ideal moist healing environment that promotes up to 2x faster healing and helps to reduce scarring. In a clinical study using an Abrasive Wound Model, wounds treated with the Elastoplast Wound Healing Ointment have been proven to heal faster and with a better cosmetic outcome than untreated wounds*.

The advantages of Elastoplast Heavy Fabric Plasters

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The Elastoplast Heavy Fabric Plasters are based on an advanced technology providing ideal moist wound healing conditions and permitting control of the moisture level and temperature of the wound. They are suitable for covering all types of smaller wounds, even those after minor surgery.

*W. Wigger-Alberti, et al. Assessment of local tolerability and wound healing efficacy of a novel wound healing ointment. An intra-individual comparison of four different regimes in an abrasive wound model. Submitted for publication. EWMA Conference (European Wound Management Association), May 2018

Always see a doctor if the wound is deep, bleeds heavily or shows signs of infection like reddening, swelling or warmth. Please note that, although these were compiled with great care, the tips and advice given on this website by no means substitute medical advice and treatment. If you have or suspect a health problem, consult a doctor and follow medical advice regardless of what you have learned on this website. Always read carefully and follow the instructions for use or the leaflets of our products.

For further information regarding Elastoplast products, please contact us via email on Consumer care: ConsumerSA.External@beiersdorf.com or phone: 0860 102 091.