Scientists Discover How to Heal Wounds Up to 3 Times Faster Using Electricity
The wound healing process is a complex biological event involving coordinated activity from various cells, proteins, and chemical signals. Skin injuries trigger a cascade of molecular and cellular events with the ultimate goal of restoring the body’s protective barrier.
However, in individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes or weakened immune systems, wound healing can take much longer, leading to health complications and increased healthcare costs. A recent study published in the journal Lab on a Chip revealed that applying controlled direct electric fields can accelerate healing by up to 3 times in skin cell models.
The Rise of Bioelectricity in Regenerative Medicine
Interest in bioelectricity and its application in skin care and regenerative medicine has surged over the past decade. Integrating electrical signals as a therapeutic pathway to promote cell migration and proliferation is known as electrostimulation.
The Role of Electrical Signals in Wound Healing
Under normal conditions, skin generates natural electrical signals. When damaged, it produces small electrical currents that help guide the repair cells. These endogenous currents act like a “compass,” directing keratinocytes (skin cells) toward the wound center to regenerate the epidermis.
Previous studies show that when these natural signals are disrupted, healing slows down. But when reinforced or applied externally, the wound closure rate improves significantly—unlocking new potential in regenerative medicine.
How Cells Respond to Electrical Stimulation
Keratinocyte migration—essential for wound healing—is influenced not only by chemical and mechanical forces but also by electrical cues. Studies have demonstrated that direct-current electric fields induce a phenomenon called electrotaxis (or galvanotaxis), where cells move toward the negative electrode.
Besides guiding movement, electric stimulation activates internal cellular pathways that promote proliferation and reorganize the cytoskeleton—accelerating tissue repair in a more efficient way.
Recent Advances in Electrostimulation
The Lab on a Chip study employed microfluidic technology to recreate a “wound-on-a-chip” environment, allowing skin cells to grow under precisely controlled electric fields. This setup measured and controlled both field intensity and direction while monitoring wound progress in real time.
In keratinocyte models, an electric field of approximately 200 millivolts per millimeter (mV/mm) tripled the rate of wound closure compared to unstimulated controls.
A key advantage of the new method is the use of non-metallic conductive materials, which avoid corrosion and the release of toxic ions. The study highlighted the importance of PEDOT:PSS hydrogel, a conductive polymer that transmits electrical charge without drastically altering the pH of the surrounding environment—ensuring that cells remain viable and unexposed to harmful acidity or alkalinity.
Unidirectional vs. Converging Electric Fields
At first glance, applying current to both ends of a wound (converging field) might seem more effective. However, the study showed that maintaining a unidirectional field (fixed anode and cathode) led to faster wound closure. This suggests that keratinocytes benefit from a more stable directional cue. Reversing the field may disrupt their migration path, slowing healing.
Still, for clinical cases involving irregularly shaped wounds or multiple entry points, more complex electrode configurations may be explored. Optimization of both field shape and timing will be crucial for maximizing results.
Relevance in Chronic Wound Models
One of the most promising applications of electrostimulation is treating chronic wounds in diabetic patients. Slow wound healing in these cases results from various factors, including metabolic dysfunction and impaired keratinocyte performance.
In their study, researchers induced a low-mobility state in keratinocytes by inhibiting the p38/MAPK pathway—simulating the healing limitations seen in high-glucose environments. When they applied electric fields to these cells, the wound closure rate significantly improved, nearing that of healthy cells. This suggests that electric stimulation can reactivate essential cellular pathways, overcoming diabetes-related mobility deficits.
Although more studies are needed to confirm these findings in living organisms and determine long-term safety, the results strongly support the potential of electrostimulation as an adjunct therapy for complex wounds.
