How to Speed Up Wound Healing

A small cut from the kitchen knife, a scraped knee after a fall, or an incision following surgery may look minor on the surface, but healing a wound is one of the most complex jobs your body performs.

Some injuries may take days to heal, whilst others may take weeks to months. Diabetes, smoking, and poor nutrition after an injury can affect the speed of the healing process and can lead to a greater risk for complications.

In this post, we will examine the main reasons why some wounds heal slowly, and how to heal wounds faster.

Wound Healing Stages

There are four stages of healing: Hemostasis, Inflammation, Proliferation, and Remodeling (1). Your body conducts each stage of healing in preparation for the next.

Stage 1. Hemostasis

At the instant you suffer a wound, the body’s natural reaction is to stop the bleeding. To seal the opened skin, blood vessels narrow, and platelets create a clot and a barrier.

Stage 2. Inflammation

Once the bleeding is under control, your immune system gets to work. White blood cells are responsible for the removal of bacteria and infection, as well as the removal of dead cells and debris from the site of the wound. Protection of the wound from infection is also the work of white blood cells. The site of a wound during the inflammatory stage will be red, swollen, and will be warm and tender. These symptoms are a normal part of the healing process.

Stage 3. Proliferation

As healing progresses, your body begins rebuilding the damaged tissue. New blood vessels develop, collagen is produced, and fresh tissue gradually fills the wound. At the same time, new skin cells grow across the surface, helping the wound close.

Stage 4. Remodeling

Even after the wound has closed, the body continues strengthening the repaired tissue as collagen fibers reorganize and mature. During this stage, the tissue also gradually becomes a scar that is flatter, softer, and lighter in color.

What Causes Slow Wound Healing

While all wounds may go through the same stages of the wound healing process, many of them may heal at different rates. For healing to progress normally, your body needs an adequate supply of oxygen, nutrients, healthy blood flow, immune cells, and new collagen to repair damaged tissue. When any of these processes are disrupted, healing can slow down or even stall.

1. Poor Nutrition

Healing places greater demand on the body and without enough healing support, the body may struggle to:

• Make collagen
• Create new tissue
• Protect & support the immune system

2. Diabetes

High blood sugar makes healing difficult by damaging blood vessels, reducing circulation, and impairing the immune system and collagen.

3. Poor Blood Circulation

Repairing tissue relies on blood circulation to deliver oxygen and the necessary nutrients. Conditions like peripheral artery disease, venous insufficiency, and smoking can reduce circulation and increase the time needed to heal tissue.

4. Infection

When a wound becomes infected, the immune system ignores repairing the wound and instead fights the infection. This can greatly increase the time needed to heal. An infected wound may be:

• Red
• Swollen
• Warm
• Produce pus
• Have a foul-smelling discharge
• Increase pain
• Cause a fever

5. Smoking

Along with damaging blood vessels, smoking causes a lack of oxygen to the tissues, slows down collagen production, and causes a poorer immune response. Studies show that smoking causes greater risks of healing issues, wound breakdown, and complications after surgery. (2)

6. Aging

Collagen production naturally decreases as we age and so do the body's repair systems and circulation. The natural response of the immune system also decreases as we age. All of these cause wounds to heal more slowly with age.

7. Certain Medical Conditions

Some health conditions can interfere with normal wound healing, including:

• Diabetes
• Kidney Disease
• Liver Disease
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
• Autoimmune Disorders
• Obesity
• Conditions that weaken the immune system

8. Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Heavy alcohol intake can lead to long-term damage to the immune system, cause chronic inflammation, increase tissue dehydration, and lessen the body’s ability to absorb vital nutrients for the repair of tissues.

9. Repeated Stress on the Wound

Repeated movements, friction, and pressure on an otherwise healing wound can damage the tissue and hinder the healing process. This is very common where the incision heals over a joint.

10. Dead Tissue (Necrosis)

For a wound to heal properly, it has to be covered by a bed of new tissue. The presence of necrotic or devitalized tissue in the bed of the wound prevents the formation of new tissue, prolongs healing and increases the risk of infection.

Do Different Types of Wounds Heal Differently?

Yes. Some wounds take only a few days to heal, while others may take weeks or months, depending on the type of injury, the extent of the tissue injury, and the body’s ability to repair the damaged tissues.

* Healing times are approximate and vary depending on the severity of the wound, age, nutrition, underlying medical conditions, and how well the wound is cared for.

Related Articles:

Dos and Don’ts for Scar Care After Surgery

Why Do Surgical Scars Feel Lumpy? Is It Normal?

How Does Dimethicone Help Heal and Protect Scars?

Tips to Help Your Wounds Heal Faster

1) Optimize Healing with Recovery-Supporting Nutrients

All-in-One Solution: HealFast Surgery Recovery Supplements - Physician-formulated with 25 clinically-backed nutrients.

2) Drink Plenty of Water

Water helps transport nutrients, supports circulation, and maintains healthy skin. It even supports skin health. Healing from an injury can occur less efficiently when even slightly dehydrated.

If there are any restrictions set by your healthcare practitioner, drink in accordance with those recommendations.

3) Sleep 7-9 Hours Every Night

During sleep, your body repairs damaged tissues, produces collagen, regulates inflammation, and releases hormones that are essential for recovery.

If you're having trouble falling asleep during recovery, use HealFast sleep recovery supplement. Our physician-formulated blend of melatonin, GABA, 5-HTP, magnesium, L-theanine, L-tryptophan, and calming herbs is designed to help you relax, fall asleep more easily, stay asleep through the night, and wake up feeling refreshed.

4) Stay Away from Tobacco and Cut Down on Alcohol

Tobacco use and alcohol consumption should both be avoided to aid the healing of the wound and reduce the complications of recovery.

5) Control Sugar Levels

Circulation, immune response, and even the healing of the body all improve with the right blood sugar levels.

6) Take Care of the Wound Properly

Beyond any specific care for a wound, general instructions for wound care may be:

• Cleansing of the hands before any contact with the wound,
• Cleansing of the wound as per the healthcare practitioner’s directives,
• Changing of any coverings as specified.

After the wound has fully closed, transitioning to scar care with medical-grade silicone may help support the appearance of the healing scar.

References:

1. Chiang, Y.-H. F., Lee, Y.-W., Lam, F., Liao, C.-C., Chang, C.-C., & Lin, C.-S. (2023). Smoking increases the risk of postoperative wound complications: A propensity score-matched cohort study. International Wound Journal, 20(2), 391–402. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9885463/

2. Schultz, G. S., Chin, G. A., Moldawer, L., & Diegelmann, R. F. (2011). Principles of wound healing. In R. Fitridge & M. Thompson (Eds.), Mechanisms of vascular disease: A reference book for vascular specialists. University of Adelaide Press. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534261/