The healing process

To understand the process of healing, we need to have a basic understanding of the way skin functions. The skin has three major layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutis. 

The top layer of the epidermis is actually dead skin. Every few days this layer is sloughed off and replaced by new cells. New cells are produced at the bottom layer of the epidermis. As they grow, they push other cells upward to the surface where they become flattened and lose most of their water content.

The dermis is a supple layer of connective tissue matrix, which makes up 90% of the skins thickness. This matrix consists of ground substance composed of acid mucopolysaccharides and other proteins. Running through this dense meshwork are fibres made up of collagen and elastin. Collagen fibres give skin its strength and elastin fibres maintain the skins elasticity. With age, the collagen begins to deteriorate, causing the skin to become thinner and sag, and the elastin to break down causing wrinkling. The connective tissue matrix also contains specialised cells such as hyaluronic acid, which hold water in the skin. These cells are the skins true moisturisers. The acid mucopolysaccharides play an important role in the tissue regeneration of the skin as they have a stimulating effect on the connective tissue cells.

The subcutis is made up of mainly fat and is responsible for insulating the body, but has no role in the repair of tissue.