What Can Affect Wound Healing?
If you’ve been considering a plastic surgery procedure, you’re probably looking forward to the many positive changes it will bring.
What you may not have considered, though, is the miracle of wound healing. Most of us take for granted the impressive cascade of events the body orchestrates to heal a wound – whether it’s the result of a small scrape or a surgical procedure.
How quickly you recover from surgery will depend to some extent on how effectively your body moves through the stages of healing. But there are more than a few external factors that can affect wound healing too.
The Basics of Wound Healing
Any time the body is wounded, it kicks into action to repair itself. In terms of wound healing, three distinct stages comprise the healing process.
The first stage is the inflammatory stage. During this time, the body utilizes corrective mechanisms to form a clot that stops the bleeding. It then stimulates blood vessels in the area to flood the wound with reparative and regenerative cells.
Once initial inflammation subsides, the body moves into the second stage of proliferation. At this point, the wound needs enough oxygen and nutrients to support the growth of new tissues. Thus, the body builds a network of blood vessels that will provide these, and the wound contracts.
The third stage of healing, known as maturation, occurs when there’s enough tissue regrowth to signal wound resurfacing with new skin cells. These grow under a scab, and once the surface is strong enough, the scab falls away to reveal a fresh layer of skin.
As mentioned above, how quickly you move through these stages will affect how quickly you heal. In addition, the type, size, and severity of a wound are also factors. There are other considerations, though.
What Else Can Affect Wound Healing?
There is also a range of external factors that can affect wound healing. The most significant factors are as follows:
- Unhealthy Lifestyle
If you’re a smoker and/or you regularly drink alcohol, steering clear of these while your wound heals is advised. Both drinking and smoking suppress the body’s inflammatory response because they restrict the flow of blood, nutrients, oxygen, and other healing cells to the wound. Thus, recovery will be slower.
In addition, consuming an unhealthy diet that doesn’t meet your basic nutritional needs can also slow or delay your healing. You’ll want to include fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and grains in your diet to assist and accelerate your body’s healing process. And drink plenty of water.
- Chronic Illness
If you struggle with a chronic condition, you may experience a slower healing time. Most persistent illnesses interfere with the immune system’s responses to some degree.
Furthermore, conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular disease that cause poor circulation can make it difficult for your body to deliver oxygen, reparative cells, and nutrients to your wound.
- Age and Weight
Older skin doesn’t repair and regenerate as quickly as younger skin. Years of sun damage and age-related hormonal changes make the skin thinner, drier, less elastic, and more delicate. Thus, it’s more susceptible to slower healing.
People who are very overweight or obese are also more likely to experience a delay in wound healing. The extra weight can place pressure on the wound and decrease the amount of oxygen and nutrients needed to fuel healing. If a wound is between skin folds, continuous friction and tissue breakdown are also negative factors. If not properly addressed, this can lead to infection.
Staying Informed Is Key
Now that you know the factors that can affect wound healing, you can go into your plastic surgery procedure with increased confidence.
Of course, when you work with a skilled board-certified plastic surgeon, you’ll be prepped on all things pre-, during, and post-surgery to ensure the best experience. That means they’re with you every step of the way.
So if you’re ready to start exploring plastic surgery options, contact us today to secure a stellar plastic surgery experience.
