Scar Inhibition in Wound Healing: Mechanisms, Design, and Recent Advances

Scar inhibition plays a crucial role in wound healing, particularly in the prevention of excessive scar formation during skin repair. While scar formation is a natural part of the healing process, improper scarring can lead to functional impairment, cosmetic defects, and psychological impacts. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms behind scar inhibition and exploring therapeutic strategies is essential for improving clinical outcomes. This review summarizes the primary mechanisms of scar formation and inhibition, including the regulation of collagen deposition, modulation of the inflammatory response, and control of cell proliferation and migration. In recent years, novel therapeutic approaches have emerged for scar inhibition, including gene therapy, stem cell treatments, and localized drug delivery systems, and the use of biomaterials. These methods not only enhance the effectiveness of scar treatment but also improve the biocompatibility and durability of the healing process. Although some of these approaches have shown promising results in early-stage studies, challenges remain for clinical applications, such as the individualization of treatment plans and the sustainability of outcomes. Finally, this review discusses future research directions and proposes strategies to enhance the potential of scar inhibition therapies and their clinical translation.