What Can I Put on a Wound to Make it Close Faster?

September 30, 2025 •

4 min read

Studies have consistently shown that wounds heal up to two or three times faster when kept in a moist environment rather than being left to dry out and scab. To understand what can I put on a wound to make it close faster, you must first embrace the principles of proper moist wound care.

Quick Summary

This guide covers the best topical treatments and practices for promoting faster wound closure, including the benefits of moist healing, proper cleaning techniques, and the use of products like petroleum jelly and advanced dressings. It also details what to avoid and when a wound requires medical attention.

Key Points

Embrace Moist Healing: Keep wounds covered and moist with a proper dressing or ointment, as this can accelerate healing two to three times faster than letting them dry out and form a scab.
Use Petroleum Jelly for Minor Wounds: For simple cuts and scrapes, a thin layer of plain petroleum jelly is often sufficient and just as effective as antibiotic ointments for creating a protective, moist environment.
Choose the Right Advanced Dressing: For more complex wounds, consider hydrocolloid dressings for light drainage, foam dressings for heavy drainage, or medical-grade honey for infected areas.
Clean Gently, Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Clean wounds with mild soap and water, and avoid irritating antiseptics like hydrogen peroxide and iodine, which can damage healthy cells and delay healing.
Optimize Your Overall Health: Support wound recovery with a nutritious diet rich in vitamins C and A, zinc, and protein, alongside adequate rest and hydration.
Monitor for Infection: Watch for red streaks, pus, increasing pain, or fever and seek medical attention if these signs appear, or if the wound is deep or won't stop bleeding.

The Foundation of Fast Wound Healing: Cleanliness and Moisture

Proper cleaning and maintaining a moist environment are crucial for accelerating wound healing. This approach supports the body's natural repair process and minimizes scarring, moving away from the outdated belief that scabs are beneficial.

Step 1: Clean the Wound Gently

Always wash your hands before cleaning a wound. Gently wash the wound with mild soap and running water. Avoid harsh substances like hydrogen peroxide or iodine, as they can damage skin cells and slow healing.

Step 2: Create a Moist Healing Environment

Keeping a wound moist is key to faster healing. A moist environment helps cells move and tissue regenerate more effectively than letting a wound scab over. The idea of letting a wound air out is no longer recommended for minor injuries.

Effective Topical Options to Make a Wound Close Faster

Several over-the-counter options can help seal wounds and speed up healing.

Petroleum Jelly or Healing Ointment

For minor cuts, petroleum jelly like Vaseline is a simple, effective choice. Dermatologists often recommend it because it keeps the wound moist and is less likely to cause allergic reactions than some antibiotic ointments. It's as effective as antibiotic ointments for minor, uninfected wounds. Apply a thin layer from a tube to maintain hygiene.

Medical-Grade Honey

Medical-grade honey, particularly Manuka honey, has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It aids healing by creating a moist, acidic environment and helping to remove dead tissue. It is often used for burns and infected wounds, with products like MediHoney available for clinical use.

Advanced Hydrocolloid Dressings

Hydrocolloid dressings are useful for wounds with light to moderate drainage. These dressings are self-adhering, waterproof, and form a gel to maintain optimal moisture for healing. They are also easy to remove gently.

Optimizing the Healing Process with Advanced Dressings and Techniques

Various modern dressings are available for specific wound types or more advanced care needs.

Understanding Different Dressing Types

Foam Dressings: Good for absorbing moderate to heavy fluid while keeping skin around the wound from getting too wet.
Alginate Dressings: Made from seaweed, they are very absorbent and suitable for wounds with significant drainage. They can also help control minor bleeding.
Hydrogel Dressings: Used for dry wounds, these add moisture to help healing.

Silicone Scar Sheets

After a wound has closed, silicone sheets or gels can help improve the look of scars by hydrating the tissue and managing collagen production.

Comparison of Common Wound Care Products


Feature	Petroleum Jelly	Hydrocolloid Dressings	Medical-Grade Honey	Advanced Foam Dressings
Application	Thin layer on clean, minor wound.	Self-adhering patch.	Gel or impregnated gauze applied to wound bed.	Absorbent pad with adhesive border.
Best for	Minor cuts, scrapes, and abrasions without infection.	Light to moderately draining wounds and blisters.	Burns, infected wounds, chronic ulcers.	Moderately to heavily draining wounds.
Moisture	Creates occlusive barrier to trap moisture.	Forms a moisture-retaining gel with exudate.	Hygroscopic properties draw water out of tissue.	Absorbs excess fluid while keeping wound moist.
Cost	Very low.	Moderate to high.	Moderate to high.	Moderate.
Key Benefit	Safe, inexpensive, and effective for minor wounds.	Excellent moisture balance and protection; discreet.	Natural antibacterial properties; effective for infection.	High absorbency for managing heavy drainage.

Lifestyle and Nutritional Factors

Overall health significantly impacts wound healing.

Fuel Your Body for Recovery

Vitamin C: Important for collagen, found in citrus and bell peppers.
Protein: Provides building blocks for new tissue; from meat, nuts, and legumes.
Zinc: Aids immune function and tissue repair; in nuts, poultry, and beans.
Hydration: Essential for cell function and healing.

Rest and Avoid Detrimental Habits

Adequate Rest: Healing requires energy, so sufficient sleep is vital.
Avoid Smoking: Smoking constricts blood vessels, reducing oxygen to the wound.
Minimize Alcohol: Excessive alcohol can weaken the immune system and interfere with healing.

When to Seek Medical Attention

It's important to know when a wound needs professional medical evaluation. Consult a doctor if you see signs of infection or complications, including:

Increased redness, warmth, or swelling.
Pus or cloudy drainage.
Fever or chills.
Increasing or severe pain.
Red streaks spreading from the wound.
A wound that doesn't start healing after a couple of weeks.
Deep, ragged, or puncture wounds.

Conclusion

To help a wound close faster, focus on supporting the body's natural healing. Clean the wound gently with mild soap and water, keep it consistently moist with a suitable product like petroleum jelly or a specialized dressing, and cover it. Avoid harsh antiseptics and unhealthy habits. Monitor for infection and seek medical help for concerns or serious injuries.

American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) - Minimize a scar: Proper wound care tips from dermatologists

Frequently Asked Questions

It is better to cover a wound to keep it moist. Letting a wound dry out and scab over actually slows down the healing process. Keeping it moist with an appropriate dressing or ointment creates the optimal environment for the body's cells to repair the tissue.

For most minor, non-infected cuts and scrapes, petroleum jelly is recommended over antibiotic ointment. Studies show it is just as effective for simple wounds and less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Reserve antibiotic ointments for when a wound shows signs of infection or as recommended by a healthcare provider.

Yes, medical-grade honey, such as Manuka honey, is known for its antibacterial properties and can be used on wounds, particularly infected ones. It creates a moist, healing environment and aids in debridement, but should be used under proper wound care guidance.

Yes, hydrocolloid dressings are highly effective for creating a balanced moist environment that speeds up healing. They work best on light to moderately draining wounds and are waterproof and self-adhering for easy application.

You should avoid putting harsh antiseptics like hydrogen peroxide and iodine on a wound. These can damage healthy skin cells and impede healing. Also, avoid unnecessary use of topical antibiotic ointments, which can contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Signs of a wound infection include increasing redness, swelling, warmth, and pain around the wound. Other signs can be pus, a bad odor, fever, or red streaks extending from the wound. If you notice any of these, you should see a doctor.

A healthy diet is crucial for providing your body with the necessary nutrients for healing. Key nutrients include protein for tissue repair and vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and zinc, which are all essential for collagen synthesis and immune function.