We often take wound healing for granted. When we get a small cut, we may clean it and let it air or cover it with a bandage, then continue with our day.
However, beneath that bandage or in the open air, the body initiates a complex cascade of events meticulously designed to heal wounds, whether big or small.
What do you do when you have a wound?
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I just leave it to heal on its own
I take good care of it until it’s healed
Sometimes, you may notice that certain cuts and bruises linger longer than others. Or, you may find that despite having similar wounds, your wounds may take more time to heal compared to friends or family members.
How long it takes for wounds to heal can vary from person to person. It can even change from time to time for the same individual.
Wound
Cut
Bruises
Abrasion
Usually, open wounds tend to take longer to heal, whereas small cuts and scratches can heal fairly quickly. Wounds that appear on areas with a lot of movement, like the elbows, also have a longer recovery time.
Acute Wounds
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Acute Wounds
This type of wounds includes burns, cuts, tears, and punctures, which usually heal within one to three weeks.
If an acute wound doesn't heal in six weeks, it can become chronic and may require surgery or other interventions for closure.
Chronic Wounds
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Chronic Wounds
These wounds don't heal quickly and sometimes never fully heal.
They can be caused by poor circulation, systemic illnesses like vasculitis or ischemia, repeated trauma, or old age.
When wound healing gets interrupted:
Wound healing is complex and involves a series of chemical signals. Interruptions to the wound healing process can significantly slow or prevent healing.
One factor that impacts healing is reduced blood supply — blood carries oxygen and nutrients essential for healing. A wound that is not getting enough blood could take at least twice as long to heal, if it heals at all.
Those with conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, or vascular disease may be more prone to chronic wounds.
Smoking also greatly increases the risk of poor wound healing.
So, how does a wound actually heal?
PHASE 1: Blood Clotting
When you get a wound, your body immediately tries to stop the bleeding. Blood vessels tighten and platelets gather to form a clot, which helps seal the wound.
PHASE 2: Inflammation
In this phase, your body sends special cells to the wound to fight off germs and clean up the area. This process helps eliminate bacteria and remove damaged tissue. It can cause redness, swelling, and pain as your body's immune system works to protect you from infection.
PHASE 3: Proliferation
During this phase, new tissue starts to form. Cells multiply to fill in the wound, creating a framework for healing. New blood vessels also form to supply the growing tissues with nutrients and oxygen.
PHASE 4: Maturation
In the final phase, the new tissue strengthens and reorganises. The wound becomes less noticeable as the new skin cells grow over the wound to cover and protect it. This process can take weeks to months, depending on the size and depth of the wound.
Now that you know how wounds heal, here’s how
NOT to care for your wounds:
Washing the wound
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Washing the wound with water can lead to a bacterial infection because it doesn’t immediately kill off the bacteria.
Air drying the wound
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Letting a wound air-dry exposes it to dirt and bacteria, which could delay the healing process.
Not treating the wound
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Not treating a wound with ointment or a plaster exposes it to potential contaminants, hindering the body's ability to efficiently repair damaged tissue and slowing the healing process.
If you're looking for the correct way to treat and care for your wound, Hansaplast has a range of products to help your wound heal faster!
From wound cleaning to protection and healing, Hansaplast offers a comprehensive routine designed to address every aspect of wound care.
Plus, it's super simple to treat wounds with Hansaplast as it only takes three steps!
GC6977620-46350 Registered under Act 737
Cleanse with Hansaplast Wound Spray
Cleansing the wound to prevent infections is the first step to treatment.
Simply spray Hansaplast Wound Spray from a distance of approximately 10cm onto the entire wound area. Repeat if necessary, then gently dry the wound and surrounding skin area.
This easy-to-use wound spray also comes with a 360° spray head, for easy application at any angle.
Alcohol free
The application is pain-free* and can be applied quickly.
Colourless
The solution will not leave any stain on your clothes.
Skin-friendly
This wound spray is suitable for children and those with sensitive skin.
GMD19436281517A Registered under Act 737
Protect with Hansaplast Plaster
The second step is to protect your wound from dirt and bacteria.
Cover your wound with a Hansaplast plaster to allow for undisturbed natural healing.
Their plasters have a non-stick wound pad, which protects and cushions the wound. The skin-friendly adhesive will ensure that the plaster stays in place while being painless to remove.
Soft & Breathable
With 100 years of expertise, Hansaplast plasters are crafted for comfort.
Blocks bacteria
The plasters are proven to block 99% of dirt and bacteria** from entering the wound.
Multiple types & sizes
This includes Hansaplast Sensitive, Sensitive XL, Sensitive XXL, Sensitive Kids, and more.
GB5648120-46349 Registered under Act 737
Heal with Hansaplast Wound Healing Ointment
The last step is to apply the Hansaplast Wound Healing Ointment regularly until it has healed your wound completely.
This ointment is skin-friendly — its skin tolerability has been dermatologically tested.
Up to 2x faster healing*
The ointment supports and speeds up the natural healing of minor wounds as well as first and smaller second-degree burns.
Reduces the risk of scarring
The ointment forms a protective, breathable film that prevents the wound from drying out. The is clinically proven to reduce the risk of scarring.
Very skin friendly
The gentle formula is dermatologically tested*** and is suitable for babies, children and sensitive skin.
Ready to try out Hansaplast products for yourself?
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to get 20% off voucher on your first purchase!
The next time you get a cut, bruise, or wound, do you know what to do?
Cleanse
Protect
Heal
I’ll be using Hansaplast’s three-step wound care routine
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The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader's own medical care.
*95% of test users agree. PMCF-Study, 95% agreement, "Wound Spray is pain-free to use”, n=59, Freese R, physician, principal investigator, Hamburg, 2019
**Hansaplast plasters protect against dirt and bacteria
***Hansaplast wound healing ointment heals up to 2x faster compared to an untreated wound.
Advertisement Approval Number: MDAMD 0201/2023.