Healing cuts: How long does a cut take to heal

Published: December 2018

Last Reviewed: November 2025

Minor injuries, like a small paper cut or a minor burn from cooking, can disrupt our busy lives. If you’ve suffered an injury, you’ll likely want to know how long it will take to heal and how to speed up the process. However, wound healing is complex, and many factors can delay it.

In this article, we’ll focus specifically on how to heal open wounds quickly. When you have an open wound, the body's internal tissues are exposed to the external environment and bacteria. Learn how to promote faster healing and discover which Elastoplast products can help reduce the risk of scarring.

Wounds heal faster when covered with a plaster, as this promotes moist wound healing. The actual time it takes for a cut to heal depends on its size and depth.

Open wounds usually take longer to heal than closed ones. Large or deep wounds heal faster if they are treated with sutures, which is why surgical wounds often heal more quickly than other types. Surgery cuts typically take about six to eight weeks to heal. A wound that takes longer than expected to heal is called a chronic wound. These injuries may take years to heal or, in some cases, may never heal at all.

It may take some time for your wound to fully heal. Here are signs that it's healing:

1. Scabbing: A scab is a protective crust that forms over a wound. While it serves as a natural barrier, scabbing can delay the healing process. Preventing scabs through moist wound healing can promote faster recovery.
2. Itching: New skin causes itching around the wound.
3. New tissue: Pink or red tissue forms as the wound closes.
4. Less pain: Pain gradually subsides.

If you notice redness, pus, or warmth, it could indicate infection.

A wound describes an injury that breaks or impacts the skin, such as a cut, scratch, puncture wound or burn. You may also hear people talking about “closed wounds”. These are injuries whereby the skin is not broken, but there’s damage to tissues beneath, such as bruises.

While the majority of cuts heal naturally over time, there are ways to speed up the healing process to heal wounds faster. Most minor open wounds will not require medical treatment. To heal cuts fast, follow the three-step Elastoplast Wound Care Routine:

A clean and cleansed wound is an essential first step for optimal wound healing. Cleanse your wound from dirt, bacteria and visible particles with the Elastoplast Wound Spray to prevent infections.

Elastoplast Wound Spray effectively cleanses minor wounds, such as cuts and grazes, abrasions, and burns, using a pain-free, antiseptic spray that does not sting or dry out the skin. The colourless formula is convenient and won’t stain clothing, making it suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. It’s specifically useful for on-the-go first aid.

The second step to healing wounds faster is to protect them from dirt and bacteria, allowing the healing process to continue without interruption. Cover the wound with a plaster, sterile dressing, or compress.

The fastest way to heal a cut is to cover it with a plaster, which reduces the risk of wound infection. The Elastoplast Waterproof XL Dressing offers waterproof wound protection for everyday larger or post-operative wounds, with an extra-large wound pad that cushions your wound without sticking to it, providing high comfort during wearing.

Elastoplast Fabric Plasters also offer excellent flexibility and strong adhesion, making them ideal for covering various types of minor wounds. The water-repellent design allows them to withstand moisture while keeping dirt and bacteria out, thus reducing the risk of infection.

The Second Skin Protection Hydrocolloid Advanced Plaster is a plaster which offers ultra-thin, waterproof protection that accelerates wound healing. The patches are discreet, flexible and create a protective barrier that seals against dirt and bacteria.

Elastoplast Sensitive Plasters are an excellent choice for protecting wounds, particularly if you have delicate or sensitive skin. They are made from soft, hypoallergenic materials that are gentle and help to reduce the risk of irritation, while still providing secure adhesion. The breathable backing allows air to circulate and supports faster healing, and the non-stick wound pad cushions and protects the area from dirt and bacteria. Overall, they offer comfortable and effective wound protection that’s kind to your skin. 

Regularly applying a wound healing ointment to your cuts is important. This can create a protective barrier over the wound to keep out dirt, bacteria, and other contaminants that could lead to infection. It also facilitates faster and more efficient healing, ultimately contributing to a better recovery outcome.

Elastoplast Wound Healing Ointment is clinically proven to aid natural healing and minimise scarring. The ointment is free from fragrances, colourants, preservatives, and animal-based ingredients. Suitable for babies and sensitive skin, it’s safe to use at any stage of the healing process. Additionally, the ointment is dermatologically tested for safety, ensuring it’s gentle for various skin types.

In a clinical study using an Abrasive Wound Model, wounds treated with the Elastoplast Wound Healing Ointment have been proven to heal faster and with a better cosmetic outcome than untreated wounds*.

*W. Wigger-Alberti, et al. Assessment of local tolerability and wound healing efficacy of a novel wound healing ointment. An intra-individual comparison of four different regimes in an abrasive wound model. Submitted for publication. EWMA Conference (European Wound Management Association), May 2018.

Wound healing is a complex process that can be subdivided into the four phases below:

1. Blood clotting: the body’s immediate response to stop bleeding and protect the wound.
2. Exudation and Inflammation: the wound is cleaned out by immune cells and inflammation helps to protect the area from infection.
3. Proliferation and granulation: new tissue begins to form, helping to close and heal the wound
4. Epithelialisation and regeneration: skin generating and repairing itself.

Learn more about the four stages of wound healing.

There are several risk factors which may make a person more susceptible to slow wound healing. Risk factors include:

• Age: Unsurprisingly, wounds usually take longer to heal for older people, who have reduced capacity to create new body tissues.
  Immune system: Those with a weakened immune system, either naturally or because of treatment such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, may find that their cuts heal more slowly.
• Diseases: Conditions such as diabetes and heart disease can slow the body’s wound healing abilities.
• Smoking and alcohol intake: Carbon monoxide in cigarettes lowers the oxygen level of blood vessels and causes them to constrict. This limits the blood flow to damaged areas, and effectively makes it harder for your body to fight infection and rebuild tissue. Excessive alcohol consumption impacts key parts of your body for healing, such as the liver and immune system. Consider avoiding both to optimise wound healing.
• Inactivity: While getting enough rest and sleep is important, regular exercise improves blood flow and reduces inflammation. Even less intense activities like walking can speed up the wound healing process.
• Poor wound management: Make sure to follow the Elastoplast Wound Care Routine when you first sustain a wound. Over time, even if it looks like the wound is healing, keep it clean and apply new dressings or plasters until your doctor or treatment plan advises otherwise. Learn more in Wound dressing know-how.

In summary, wound healing is a natural yet complex process that involves several stages. Proper wound care, including keeping the wound clean, applying suitable ointment, and covering it with a plaster, can significantly speed up recovery and reduce risk of infection. By understanding the basics of how wounds heal and taking appropriate steps, you can ensure better and faster healing outcomes for minor injuries at home.