During which stage of wound healing does scar formation begin?

Scar formation begins during the repair phase of wound healing. This stage is characterized by the proliferation of fibroblasts, which synthesize collagen and extracellular matrix components. The collagen fibers are crucial for providing strength and structure to the healing wound, ultimately leading to the formation of scar tissue. While the scar may initially be red and raised, it gradually becomes less prominent and more refined as the healing process continues.

The inflammatory phase occurs first, when the body responds to the injury with swelling, redness, and the recruitment of immune cells to prevent infection. The debridement phase follows, where dead tissue is removed. Finally, the maturation phase occurs after the repair phase, during which the scar continues to remodel and strengthen over time, but it is the repair phase where the initial scar formation takes place.