How to Improve the Rate of Healing of the Skin

Skin on the human body protects our insides against infection and disease. When it is punctured or burned, an opening presents itself for bacteria and dirt. The skin will heal naturally on its own, but there are a few steps you can take to hasten the process. The faster you heal the wound, the faster you will regain your protection against infection. With knowledge of how to take care of the wound or burn, the skin will heal in no time.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Tweezers
• Rubbing alcohol
• Bandage
• Healthy foods
• Honey or aloe vera

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Clean the injury well if it is a wound. Run it under cool water to remove any dirt or debris. Use a pair of tweezers dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove any stubborn pieces. Wrap the injury with a clean bandage to protect it. Keep the wound out of the sun.

• 2

  Boost your body's natural defenses by eating a well-balanced diet. While healing, your body needs more calories in general and vitamin A, vitamin C, protein and zinc in particular. Eat at least two to three servings of protein a day, and one serving a day of a dark leafy green vegetable or an orange or yellow vegetable for vitamin A. Eat at least one serving of citrus fruits, broccoli, potatoes, peppers or tomatoes for vitamin C. You can get zinc in fortified cereals, red meat and seafood.

• 3

  Apply a topical treatment to further speed healing. Honey has been applied to burns and cuts since antiquity to speed healing. Apply it twice a day to smaller wounds. This will also prevent infection. Aloe vera is another popular topical gel that speeds healing. With each application, remove the bandage and replace it with a clean one. After a couple days, use the topical treatments without a bandage, still taking care to keep the injury clean.