The Stages of Healing
Wound healing broadly progresses through overlapping stages: an initial inflammatory phase (the first few days, with normal redness, warmth and swelling), a proliferative phase (new tissue and collagen forming over roughly two to six weeks), and a remodelling phase in which the scar matures and strengthens — this final stage can continue for 12–18 months, with the scar gradually softening and fading.
What Affects Healing
- Smoking and nicotine — the single most significant modifiable risk factor for poor healing; see Pre-Operative Optimisation
- Nutrition — adequate protein, vitamin C and overall calorie intake support tissue repair
- Diabetes and blood sugar control — well-controlled blood sugar supports normal healing
- Blood supply to the area — affected by smoking, some medical conditions and previous surgery or radiotherapy to the area
- Infection — delays healing and increases scarring; good wound hygiene reduces this risk
- Tension and movement — excessive movement or tension across a wound can widen the eventual scar, which is why activity restrictions matter in early recovery
What Is Normal
Some redness, mild swelling, and a firm ridge along the wound are normal in the first weeks and typically settle with time. A degree of numbness or altered sensation near the wound is also common initially and usually improves gradually.
Increasing redness, warmth, pain, discharge, fever, or a wound that opens should be reported promptly, as these can indicate infection or another complication needing assessment.
Supporting Your Recovery
- Follow your specific dressing and activity guidance closely
- Keep the wound clean and dry as instructed before it is safe to shower over it
- Avoid smoking and nicotine throughout the healing period
- Attend all follow-up appointments, so healing can be checked and any concerns addressed early
Evidence-Based Adjuncts to Recovery
Mr Naparus's approach to recovery is informed by the same evidence-based habit of mind developed during his research fellowships — looking honestly at what the data does and does not support, rather than offering every available adjunct as standard. A small number of additional measures have reasonable evidence behind them for selected patients, alongside the fundamentals above.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
A specialist, very light massage technique used after facial and body procedures to help swelling resolve more comfortably. Mr Naparus does not perform MLD himself — it is delivered by a therapist trained specifically in the technique, usually starting around a week after surgery once cleared by the clinic. Evidence for its effect on the objective speed of swelling resolution is mixed and generally modest, though it is low-risk and many patients find it helpful for comfort during early recovery. See Manual Lymphatic Drainage for full detail, including when to start and who should avoid it.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
HBOT involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurised chamber, which increases the amount of oxygen delivered to healing tissue. There is reasonable evidence supporting its use in specific, higher-risk situations — including compromised flaps or grafts, radiation-damaged tissue, and problem wounds that are not healing as expected — where it can improve tissue survival and healing outcomes. It is not required for routine, straightforward healing, and is considered selectively where there is a specific clinical indication, discussed individually if relevant to your case.
Silicone Gel & Sheeting
Topical silicone, in gel or sheet form, has good-quality evidence supporting its use to improve the appearance of healing scars, particularly for hypertrophic or keloid-prone scarring, and is a standard recommendation once a wound has fully closed. See Scar Management for how and when to start.
Cooling in the First 48 Hours
Gentle, intermittent cooling of the treated area in the first one to two days after surgery — where appropriate to the procedure — can help limit early swelling and bruising. Your team will advise whether this applies to your procedure and how to do it safely.
Arnica & Bromelain
These oral supplements are popularly used to reduce bruising, but the evidence supporting a meaningful clinical effect is limited and inconsistent. They are low-risk for most patients but should not be relied upon as a substitute for the measures above, and should be checked against any other medication you are taking.