Evidence shows that wounds heal better in a moist environment, and covering a wound with a plaster can help it to stay slightly moist. The use of antibacterial cream or spray can also contribute, and prevent the wound from drying out under the plaster. Plasters also protect the wound while it's healing.

Do wounds heal faster covered or uncovered?

A handful of studies have found that when wounds are kept moist and covered, blood vessels regenerate faster and the number of cells that cause inflammation drop more rapidly than they do in wounds allowed to air out. It is best to keep a wound moist and covered for at least five days.

Do plasters speed up healing?

The principle aim of moist wound healing is to create and maintain the optimal moist conditions for your skin to renew itself. In a wound which is kept moist under a plaster such as Elastoplast Fast Healing, cells can grow, divide and migrate at an increased rate. This speeds up wound healing by up to 2 times*!