One of the most fascinating features of the human body is its ability to repair damaged tissue. When the skin is injured a complex process occurs. The natural healing process can be divided into four distinct stages: inflammatory, granulation, epithelization and maturation. This process can take up to 2 years. Brunner and Suddarth (1992) classified wound healing into three stages: primary; secondary; and tertiary. Many factors affect how long a wound will take to heal, e.g. concurrent illnesses, nutritional status and the dressing used. A holistic approach to wound care is the key, and if all the factors are not addressed then wound healing will not prevail.