Skin has an incredible ability to heal itself. If some layers of skin remain intact, new skin will form from the bottom of the wound and along the wound edges. This is why minor cuts and scrapes typically heal completely.
However, if the injury completely destroys all layers of skin, like in severe burns, it can't grow back properly. The healing process in this case can be more complex and may require skin grafts.
Here are some additional details:
- Full-thickness avulsion injuries: When a cut or scrape removes all layers of skin, fat and muscle may be visible. These injuries require medical attention and often need stitches or skin grafts to close.
- Hair follicles: These are responsible for hair growth. If a hair follicle is damaged, the hair may not grow back in that area.
- Ingrown toenails: These occur when the nail grows back into the skin. A doctor may need to remove the ingrown portion of the nail to prevent it from growing back into the skin.
- Skin tags: If a healthcare provider removes the entire skin tag, it's unlikely to grow back. However, it's possible to develop new skin tags.
- Fingertip injuries: For a fingertip injury to grow back fully, the injury must occur beyond where the fingernail starts.
- Shaving hair: Shaving does not make hair grow back thicker or darker.
- Melanoma: This type of skin cancer can be removed through surgery. The purpose of removing the surrounding skin is to get rid of any cancer cells and prevent the melanoma from growing back.
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy can cause skin problems, but once treatment is finished, skin cells will grow back.
