Skin healing: the most effective dietary supplements

Wound healing is a natural skin repair process following an injury or a procedure, aimed at restoring the integrity of the skin. The wound healing process is divided into three main phases: • Inflammatory phase : Immediately after the injury occurs, inflammation is triggered, attracting immune cells to clean the wound. • Proliferative phase : During this stage, fibroblasts produce collagen and other components to form new granulation tissue. • Maturation phase : Collagen is reorganized, improving the strength and flexibility of the scar, often over several months.

Types of Scars

Scars vary depending on the healing process: • Normal scars : Thin and barely visible, they result from uncomplicated healing. • Hypertrophic scars : Thicker, they appear following excessive collagen production, often reddish and raised. • Keloids : They extend beyond the edges of the original wound, forming growths that can sometimes be painful or itchy. • Atrophic scars : Often sunken, they occur when repair tissue is insufficient, as with acne scars.

Factors Affecting Wound Healing

Several factors can hinder or delay healing, notably: • Age : Older people heal more slowly due to reduced cellular regeneration. • Health status : Chronic diseases (such as diabetes), malnutrition, and smoking negatively affect healing. • Infection : The presence of bacteria in the wound prolongs the inflammatory phase, delaying the process.

Management of Wound Healing

For optimal healing, different approaches exist: • Trace elements and vitamins : Zinc and silicon supplements are recommended to support collagen synthesis. Vitamin C, essential for collagen, also plays a key role in healing. • Dermocosmetics : Silicone-based creams, often available at pharmacies, help flatten hypertrophic scars and keloids. • Natural therapies : The use of aloe vera and essential oils such as lavender helps soothe the skin and promote regeneration. • Surgical and aesthetic treatments : In some cases, interventions such as laser therapy or microdermabrasion may be indicated to reduce persistent scars.