Our skin is our body's first line of defense when it comes to protecting ourselves from serious injuries. It is made up of two distinct layers, the dermis and the epidermis. The epidermis sheds every 28 days therefore superficial cuts, such as paper cuts, heal quickly. The dermis, on the other hand, contains connective tissues, blood vessels and nerve endings. Injuries that affect the dermis include lacerations, burns and abrasions. These types of injuries take longer to heal and may require medical care. To prevent infection, as well as speed up healing, it is important to properly treat an injury as well as maintain a healthy diet.
Step 1
Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Your body depends on vitamins, minerals and calories to help heal a wound. Foods that are high in vitamins A and C, such as oranges and spinach, as well as high in protein and zinc help speed up skin's healing.
Step 2
Use water to flush out the wound as well as soap and a washcloth to clean the area around the wound.
Step 3
Apply pressure. Minor cuts, like razor nicks, usually stop bleeding on their own. For all other wounds, place a clean cloth on the wound and apply pressure for 20 to 30 minutes. Try not to lift the bandage to see if the bleeding has stopped as this will interfere with the blood clotting process.
Step 4
Use sterile gauze or bandages to cover the wound and change it once a day. Once the wound has healed enough that it no longer appears like a fresh wound, remove the gauze. Exposing the wound to air will help speed up the healing process.
Tips and Warnings
- For sunburns, use aloe vera to rehydrate skin and to boost the healing process.
- If a wound does not stop bleeding after applying pressure, then seek medical assistance. Some wounds require intensive care, such as stitches.
Things You'll Need
- Sterile gauze or bandage
- Soap
- Washcloth
- Aloe vera
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