The four phases of healing are the inflammatory phase, the repair phase, the regeneration phase, and the remodeling phase. The inflammatory phase is when the body’s immune system responds to an injury and begins to repair tissue damage. The repair phase is when tissues are repaired and scars begin to form. The regeneration phase is when new tissue growth occurs and the remodeling phase is when old tissue is replaced with new tissue.
Hemostasis Stage. The easiest way to recognize your body has started the hemostasis stage is that the blood will begin to clot
The first stage of healing is hemostasis, in which the blood vessels constrict and platelets plug the wound. This helps to stop the bleeding. For small wounds, this is usually all that is needed for the body to begin repairing the damage.
However, for more serious wounds, such as those caused by surgery or a deep cut, additional steps are necessary to promote clotting and prevent infection. The next stage of healing is known as inflammation.
Inflammatory Stage. The second stage, the inflammatory stage, occurs right when the skin breaks as well
The first stage of healing, the inflammatory stage, begins immediately after the skin breaks. This is when blood vessels constrict to prevent further bleeding and white blood cells rush in to fight infection. The area around the wound swells and becomes red and hot as blood flow increases to the area.
During this stage, it is important to keep the wound clean and free of infection. The best way to do this is by using sterile techniques when cleaning or dressing the wound. Wounds should be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution or an alcohol-free cleansing solution. Be sure to rinse all soap off of the wound before applying any ointments or dressings.
Once the wound is clean, you can apply an antibiotic ointment if there is a risk of infection. If there is no risk of infection, you can use a petroleum jelly-based ointment, like Vaseline, to keep the area moist and protected. It is important to keep wounds covered with a clean dressing that will absorb any drainage from the healing process. Change your dressing regularly – at least once a day – and whenever it becomes wet or soiled.
Proliferative Stage
During this phase, blood vessels constrict and then dilate to promote blood flow to the area. This increased blood flow brings inflammatory cells and nutrients to the site of injury. The inflammatory cells help clean up debris and dead tissue, while the nutrients provide fuel for cell proliferation.
As new cells are produced, they begin to form a network of collagen fibers that will eventually become the scar tissue. During this process, new blood vessels are also formed to supply oxygen and nutrients to the growing tissues.
The proliferative stage typically lasts for 3-5 days but can be prolonged in certain cases such as when there is a large area of damage or if infection is present.
Maturation Stage
During the maturation stage, it is important to continue any rehabilitation exercises that have been prescribed by a healthcare professional. These exercises help to prevent stiffness and weakness in the healing tissue. In some cases, surgery may be required in order to remove debris or scar tissue that has formed around the injury site.