- Surgeries, Diseases, For Patients
Wound Healing, How Does It Work?
- January 15, 2023
- By Fernando Amato
How to achieve a good scar?
Wound healing is an important process for the body, as it allows injuries to be cured and damaged tissue to be replaced by new, healthy tissue. However, for the wound healing process to occur properly, it is important to follow some recommendations.
One of the main recommendations is to keep the wound clean. According to Dr. Amato, “no postoperative wound should be dirty and moist. Dressings can vary greatly from surgery to surgery, from surgeon to surgeon, from patient to patient. But a wound with discharge, in general, should be cleaned and have the dressing changed frequently.” He recommends using only saline solution, but in some cases allows the use of water and neutral soap. Furthermore, it is important to avoid the use of special ointments and dressings without medical advice, as misuse can impair healing.
Another important recommendation is to maintain the hydration of the scar. According to Dr. Fernando, the scar needs an ideal environment to restore itself, and hydration is fundamental. He recommends the use of specific creams for this hydration, enriched with vitamins and substances that accelerate the process of healing and skin restoration. Additionally, there are silicone sheets and gels that form a protective film and reduce moisture exchange with the environment, leading to better healing.
Finally, it is important to avoid sun exposure, as the sun is one of the biggest villains in wound healing. Even before surgery, sun exposure can wear out the skin and hinder proper healing. In the postoperative period, the sun can cause hyperpigmentation, meaning the scar becomes darker. Therefore, it is recommended to use sunscreen and protective clothing.
What is wound healing, and how does it happen?
Wound healing is the process by which the body recovers from an injury, whether physical or emotional. This process consists of three phases: inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling. Each person may have a different healing process, as this is related to the type of injury and influencing factors such as age, nutritional status, chronic diseases, medication therapy, and inappropriate topical treatment.
Inflammatory phase:
The inflammatory phase is characterized by the presence of exudate (discharge), which lasts from one to four days, depending on the extent and nature of the injury. During this period, activation of the blood coagulation system and release of chemical mediators occur, which may involve edema, redness, and pain.
Proliferative phase:
The proliferative phase is the regeneration phase, which can last from 5 to 20 days. In this phase, fibroblasts proliferate, leading to the process called “fibroplasia.” During this period, endothelial cells proliferate, resulting in rich vascularization and macrophage infiltration. This combination forms granulation tissue.
Remodeling phase:
The remodeling phase is the last phase of the process and can last for months. Cellular density and vascularization decrease, resulting in the remodeling of the scar tissue (formed in the previous phase). Fibers are realigned to increase tissue strength and improve the appearance of the scar. In this phase, the scar progressively changes its tone, moving from dark red to a light pink.
What can help accelerate wound healing?
There are some factors that can accelerate the healing process, such as keeping the body hydrated by drinking at least 2 liters of water per day, having a balanced diet with proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, and using certain dressings that promote an ideal environment for the development of granulation tissue and maintain natural moisture in the injured area.
On the other hand, some factors can interfere with the healing process, such as smoking, drug use, stress, diabetes, obesity, among others. Therefore, it is important for people to be careful with these factors that can
Questions about wound healing
What should I do to ensure good wound healing?
It is important to keep the wound clean and change the dressing frequently, hydrate the scar, and avoid sun exposure.
Is it safe to shower after surgery?
This may vary depending on the surgery and the doctor's instructions. In general, it is safe to shower a few days after surgery, as long as the wound is protected and clean.
Can I use any type of moisturizer on my scar?
No, it is important to use specific moisturizers for scars, enriched with vitamins and substances that accelerate the healing process.
Can I expose my scar to the sun?
It is not recommended to expose the scar to the sun, as this can impair healing and cause hyperpigmentation.
Can I use ointments or creams without medical advice?
It is not recommended to use ointments or creams without medical advice, as misuse can impair healing.
Can I exercise while my scar is healing?
This may vary depending on the surgery and the doctor's instructions. In general, it is safe to start light exercises a few days after surgery, but it is important to avoid exercises that may cause pressure on the scar.
Can I use makeup on my scar?
This may vary depending on the surgery and the doctor's instructions. In general, it is safe to use makeup after a few days after surgery, as long as the wound is clean and protected.
How long does wound healing usually take?
The healing time can vary depending on the extent and nature of the injury, as well as factors such as age, nutritional status, chronic diseases, and medication therapy. In general, the healing process can take from a few days to months.
What should I do if my scar swells or itches?
It is important to keep the scar hydrated and avoid scratching or rubbing the scar. If these symptoms persist, it is recommended to consult a doctor to evaluate the appropriate treatment.
What should I do if my scar becomes raised or indented?
It is important to keep the scar hydrated and avoid pressing on the scar. If these symptoms persist, it is recommended to consult a doctor to evaluate the appropriate treatment, such as the use of ointments, creams, pulsed light, or laser.
In this video, Dr. Fernando Amato, a plastic surgeon at Instituto Amato, talks about how to achieve good wound healing.
and everyone wants to know how to take care of
a scar, and you
Watch this video until the end if you want
to have good wound healing.
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And before starting, I want to make it very
clear that these are the guidelines I
give to my patients, and every doctor has their
own guidelines. Furthermore, changes in conduct
may be necessary according to
the evolution of each scar. Therefore,
do not try to treat your
scar without a medical evaluation and guidance.
There are three principles that I like to
share with my patients that
interfere with good wound healing: cleanliness,
We know that a clean operative wound
provides a good healing process.
No operative wound likes to be
dirty and moist in the postoperative period.
And dressings can vary greatly from
surgery to surgery, from surgeon to
surgeon, from patient to patient.
But a wound with discharge, in general, should
be cleaned and the dressing should be changed
frequently.
Do not apply anything without your
surgeon's authorization.
Generally, I advise using only saline
solution, but in many cases, I allow
water and neutral soap.
Ointments and special dressings are expensive,
and misuse can indeed impair
healing. Do nothing without proper
guidance.
12
hydration. After the perioperative wound
has closed, it will be in the healing process
for some time. It may become
red, it may become dark, it may feel oily
or sore, it may become raised or indented. All
these changes have a specific treatment
with ointments, creams, pulsed light,
and even laser. But without treatment, it is
common for all of them, skin hydration.
The skin needs an ideal environment to
restore itself, and hydration is fundamental.
Be careful, you cannot use just any
skin moisturizer; many were not
made for this and can even cause
dermatitis. There are specific creams
for this process that can even help;
these creams can be enriched with vitamins
and substances that accelerate this process of
wound healing and skin restoration.
It is important to know that there is no magic cream
that works for every and all
surgeries. Three,
sun protection. If you want to have a good
scar, do not expose it to the sun. The sun is one of the
biggest villains for any scar. Even
before surgery, it can wear out the skin and even impede proper healing.
And in the postoperative period,
it can negatively influence
wound healing.
One of the most common consequences for a
scar, not just the scar, is
hyperpigmentation.
And the scar becomes
darker. Even sunbathing, and other
parts of the body can interfere with
healing.
So if you want to have good
wound healing,
do not sunbathe, use sunscreen, clothes
with sun protection, stay in the shade,
take care of yourself, and there is no ideal time to
protect yourself from the sun. I always recommend that
you follow your doctor's instructions, your
surgeon's instructions. That's all, I hope I've
helped. Thank you.
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