Advances in Hydrogel-Based Wound Dressings: Enhancing Tissue Regeneration and Healing Through Polymer Innovations

The biological process of wound healing is dynamic and multifaceted. It requires complex interactions between different factors to create the ideal milieu for tissue regeneration and repair. Because of their remarkable hydrophilicity, adjustable physicochemical characteristics, and capability to create a moist healing environment that promotes cell migration and proliferation, hydrogels have gained prominence as cutting-edge wound care materials. Both natural and synthetic polymers, such as collagen, chitosan, and alginate, as well as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), have been used to create a diverse array of hydrogel formulations such as gels and sheets. Numerous bioactive ingredients can be incorporated into these formulations to provide optimized tissue regeneration, regulated drug delivery, and antimicrobial efficacy. This review emphasizes the potential of hydrogel-based wound dressings to transform contemporary wound management techniques by offering a thorough examination of wounds and the wound healing process, as well as the polymeric components of hydrogels and their therapeutic prospects.