EXPERT OPINION. First aid for scratches and burns

What to do in case of skin damage and how to take care of it later – La Roche-Posay brand expert, dermatologist Alexander Prokofiev answers important and urgent questions.

Is it always possible to immediately notice the damage and take action?

Damage can be mechanical (abrasions, wounds) and physical (burns, frostbite). With a mechanical injury, damage occurs quickly, so it is difficult to miss. In addition, pain immediately appears. And, for example, sunburns or calluses may not begin to disturb immediately, but after some time. With age, the sensitivity of pain receptors in the skin decreases and the resulting damage can really not be immediately noticed.

What processes occur in the skin as a result of damage?

First, blood cells, platelets, are attached to the site of injury, the fibrin protein is activated, which promotes gluing of platelets. This stops the bleeding. As a result of an injury, an inflammatory process begins in the wound – we observe redness, swelling, soreness, and the local temperature rises. The immune system kicks in to eliminate germs and injured cells. The wound is cleared. The inflammation phase lasts about two days, and then healing processes begin: new vessels are formed, fibroblasts stimulate the synthesis of collagen and extracellular matrix. The last stage is epithelialization – “new skin” appears and complete healing occurs.

It’s incredible, but the regenerative processes in the skin start immediately after damage.

Do these processes differ with age?

The processes that occur depend on the depth of the injury, the size and nature of the damage, and, of course, on age. In children, recovery is much faster. Over the years, metabolic processes in the body slow down, cells are not updated as quickly and, as a result, regeneration processes also occur more slowly.

If the skin is damaged, we instinctively close this area with our hand or blow on it, apply cold. This is right?

When we blow, we slightly cool the wound and thereby anesthetize it a little. But if you blow hard, then along with moist exhaled air, microorganisms can get into it, and this will increase inflammation. Therefore, it is better to just wave something nearby, like a fan. Applying cold can also help: blood flow to the damaged area will slow down, swelling and inflammation will decrease.

What should be done immediately in case of damage of various kinds, what are the first actions?

It all depends on the nature of the damage. If you have a burn, you need to cool the affected area of ​​u15bu20bthe skin – hold it for XNUMX-XNUMX minutes in cool water or apply a cold compress. Then the burn site can be treated with restorative and healing agents.

Small cuts, abrasions and wounds should be rinsed under water. Then the wound is treated with an antiseptic solution and agents with restorative, healing and antibacterial components can be applied. A bandage or adhesive plaster is applied for deep injuries.

Look for products with panthenol – it stimulates skin regeneration.

Is it possible to immediately apply healing agents?

Ideally, the wound should be cleaned, remove contamination. However, often injuries occur on the street when this is not possible. To do this, there are antiseptics in convenient formats that you can carry with you. When you get home, it is better to carry out all the stages of processing the damaged skin surface.

What can have a healing and regenerating effect?

There are substances that can enhance regeneration and speed up renewal processes. For example, provitamin B5 (panthenol) stimulates skin regeneration, normalizes cellular metabolism. It is also important not to forget about anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial substances, the action of which also contributes to the process of skin repair.

Can there be delayed effects of scratches, wounds, minor superficial burns?

Superficial skin lesions (abrasions, scratches, light burns) in most cases heal without a trace. Deeper skin lesions, when the dermis is affected, take longer to heal and leave a mark on the skin in the form of a scar. Secondary post-traumatic hyperpigmentation, a brownish spot on the skin, may also form. Such pigmentation eventually disappears without a trace, but sometimes it does not go away for a long time.

Healthy-Food Presents

In continuation of the conversation, we will talk about skin care, which will help her recover faster from abrasions, scratches and light burns.

Multi-repairing spray for babies, children and adults Cicaplast, La Roche-Posay

The spray can be applied to irritations, redness, burns, abrasions – this spray can handle everything. It quickly soothes, softens, moisturizes and helps to restore the skin. In addition to panthenol, copper, manganese and mannose in its composition are responsible for this. The product is quickly absorbed and leaves no residue.

Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Repair Balm, SPF 50, La Roche-Posay

Suitable for skin with signs of irritation and damage, also after cosmetic procedures: the balm not only restores and soothes the skin, but also protects vulnerable areas from aggressive sun rays. The product contains a powerful system of UVA / UVB filters, and madecassoside plant extract, which promotes the regeneration of the dermis.

Cleansing gel Cicaplast Lavant B5 for babies, children and adults, La Roche-Posay

Quickly transforms into an airy foam and gently cleanses the skin without leaving a feeling of dryness. The gel is suitable for sensitive, irritated skin, it can be used by children and adults. The product has a physiological pH, and is also suitable even for intimate hygiene.

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