As an advanced wound care specialist, one of my primary goals is not just to treat wounds; I also want to help patients understand the reasons behind the treatments we recommend. For many patients with chronic or non-healing wounds, conventional approaches like dressings, ointments, and antibiotics may not be enough. That’s where skin substitutes and biologics come into play.
These new innovative therapies have transformed the field of wound care, offering hope for healing even when wounds have not improved for weeks or months. If you or a loved one is dealing with a challenging wound, knowing about these options can help you to take an active role in your recovery.
Chronic wounds are wounds that don’t heal as expected, usually lasting more than 4 weeks. Common types include:
When a wound becomes chronic, the body’s normal healing response is disrupted. Factors such as poor circulation, uncontrolled diabetes, infection, or repeated trauma can delay healing. At this point, therapies like skin substitutes and biologic products become necessary.
These are advanced wound therapies designed to mimic how human skin works and help restart the healing process.
Unlike regular bandages, these products actively interact with the wound environment. They can provide cellular structure, growth factors, or biological signals that support the regeneration of healthy tissue.
Let’s take a closer look at the types, including some real-world examples you may hear about in wound care clinics.
One of the most promising advances in recent years is the use of amniotic tissue from donated placentas after childbirth. These tissues are rich in growth factors, collagen, and anti-inflammatory properties that promote healing.
EpiFix is a dehydrated human amniotic membrane allograft. It provides a scaffold for new tissue growth and contains natural anti-inflammatory proteins and growth factors. It is especially useful for:
EpiFix is applied directly to the wound and often needs less frequent dressing changes, which can be more comfortable for patients.
Yes, you read that correctly. Fish skin is being used to heal human wounds. Specifically, the skin of cod from cold North Atlantic waters serves as a powerful skin substitute.
Kerecis is a skin substitute made from intact fish skin, processed to preserve its structure and natural omega-3 fatty acids. Unlike synthetic or mammal-based products, fish skin is less likely to trigger immune rejection and has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
It’s particularly effective for:
Patients often find it easier to tolerate, and in many cases, it significantly speeds up healing.
These are lab-engineered products containing human skin cells, collagen, or growth factors embedded in a matrix to imitate the layers of skin.
Examples include:
These products are typically used in specialized wound centers and applied under careful clinical supervision.
Skin substitutes and biologics support healing by:
They do not replace your own skin permanently. Instead, they help "wake up" the stalled healing process, allowing your body to repair the wound more effectively.
Here’s what the process typically looks like:
Most patients also continue with standard wound care treatments like offloading, compression, blood sugar control, and infection management, along with these biologic therapies for the best results.
These treatments are generally well-tolerated, but like any medical therapy, they can have side effects, including:
Your wound care provider will review your medical history and select a product that is appropriate and safe for your situation.
Chronic wounds are not just uncomfortable. They can impact your mobility, quality of life, and even your survival if they lead to infection or amputation. That’s why we take every wound seriously.
With cutting-edge options like EpiFix, Kerecis, and other biologics, we now have more tools than ever to aid your healing. These therapies have helped many patients heal wounds that were once thought to be untreatable.
If your wound hasn’t improved in weeks, or if you’ve been told nothing more can be done, know that there are still options. Skin substitutes and biologics are some of the most exciting developments in modern wound care, and they might be what your body needs to start healing again.
If you have questions or want to know if these treatments are right for you, don’t hesitate to ask your wound care team. Healing is possible, and we’re here to help you get there.
