HOW DO WOUNDS HEAL
Wound healing happens in four overlapping phases.
- First, hemostasis – blood clots immediately to stop bleeding.
- Next, inflammation – blood vessels dilate to send immune cells that clean out debris and bacteria (causing redness and swelling).
- Then, proliferation – new tissue forms as collagen fills the wound and blood vessels regrow.
- Finally, remodeling – scar tissue matures and strengthens over months or years.
How long it takes to heal depends on the wound. A small cut heals in days, while a large wound may take weeks.
Your age, nutrition, and circulation also matter. Healing by primary intention (stitched edges) is faster and leaves less scar than secondary intention (a deep wound left open to fill from the bottom up).
See a wound specialist soon.
ZP