Skin Substitute Treatments Los Angeles County
Conveniently located to serve Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Kern Counties, with offices based in Pasadena and Paramount.
What Is a Skin Substitute?
A skin substitute is a special material — often made from natural human or animal tissue, or from bioengineered (lab-made) materials — that acts like a temporary or permanent layer of skin.
It’s used when your own skin is damaged, slow to heal, or can’t close on its own.
Why Skin Substitutes Are Important
- Helps Wounds Heal When Other Methods Fail: Some wounds stall and stop healing on their own. Skin substitutes give your body a “boost,” providing a foundation for new skin cells to grow.
- Reduces the Risk of Infection: By covering and protecting the wound, skin substitutes help keep harmful bacteria out — lowering your risk of complications.
- Speeds Up Recovery: The sooner a wound closes, the lower the chance of long-term pain, scarring, or further tissue damage.
- Preserves Mobility and Function: For wounds over joints or sensitive areas, faster healing means you’re less likely to lose movement or flexibility.
- Improves Comfort and Quality of Life: Chronic wounds can be painful and limit your daily activities. By promoting faster closure, skin substitutes can help you get back to living your life sooner.
Types of Wounds That May Require a Skin Substitute
- Diabetic foot ulcers: Open sores on the feet caused by poor circulation and nerve damage from diabetes.
- Venous leg ulcers: Wounds on the lower legs due to poor blood flow from the veins.
- Pressure injuries (bedsores): Skin breakdown from prolonged pressure, often in patients with limited mobility.
- Burns: Partial-thickness or full-thickness burns where the skin can’t regenerate on its own.
- Post-surgical wounds: Incisions or surgical sites that are slow to heal or have reopened.
- Traumatic wounds: Large or deep skin losses from accidents or injuries.
- Non-healing wounds after infection: Areas where infection has been treated but skin hasn’t closed.
Types of Skin Substitutes We Offer
At Family and Wound Care Solutions Inc., we offer a variety of advanced skin substitutes to support faster, healthier wound healing. Every product we use is FDA-approved, clinically proven, and carefully matched to your specific wound needs.
1. Biologic Skin Substitutes
When It’s Recommended
- Chronic wounds (such as diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, or pressure injuries) that have not improved after several weeks of standard wound care.
- Large or deep wounds where your own skin needs extra help to regenerate.
- Burns or traumatic wounds with significant skin loss.
- Wounds that are ready for healing after infection is controlled and dead tissue is removed.
Pros
- Made from natural human or animal tissue, so they closely mimic your own skin structure.
- Rich in growth factors and proteins that promote faster healing.
- Often better tolerated by the body compared to purely synthetic products.
- Can improve the quality of healed skin, reducing scarring in some cases.
Cons
- Higher cost compared to standard dressings.
- May require special storage and handling before use.
- Some risk of allergic reaction (rare, and products are processed to remove most triggers).
- Not suitable if the wound is actively infected or has poor blood supply.
Healing Timeline Expectations
- Many patients notice improvements within 1–2 weeks, such as decreased drainage, less pain, and visible new tissue growth.
- Full healing depends on wound size, location, and overall health — typically 4–12 weeks for chronic wounds.
- Regular follow-up visits are essential to monitor progress and reapply if needed.
2. Bioengineered (Synthetic) Skin Substitutes
When It’s Recommended
- Wounds that need a sterile, protective barrier to prevent infection and promote healing.
- Chronic wounds that haven’t responded well to traditional treatments but may benefit from advanced dressings.
- Patients who may have sensitivities or allergies to biologic materials.
Situations where a consistent, manufactured product is preferred for easier storage and handling.
Pros
- Made from lab-created materials designed to mimic natural skin structure.
- Provide a controlled, sterile environment that protects the wound.
- Generally more affordable and have a longer shelf life than biologic substitutes.
- Low risk of allergic reaction or disease transmission.
- Easy to store and apply.
Cons
- May not have the same growth factors or natural proteins as biologic substitutes, potentially slowing healing in some cases.
- Sometimes less effective for very deep or complex wounds needing active tissue regeneration.
- May require more frequent dressing changes or reapplications.
Healing Timeline Expectations
- Many patients see initial improvement within 1–3 weeks, including reduced pain and improved wound appearance.
- Complete healing typically takes 4–12 weeks, depending on wound size, depth, and patient health.
- Regular monitoring is needed to adjust treatment as necessary.
3. Composite Skin Substitutes
When It’s Recommended
- Wounds that require the combined benefits of natural tissue and synthetic materials for optimal healing.
- Complex or chronic wounds that have not responded well to single-type skin substitutes.
- Situations where both structural support and biologic activity are needed to promote tissue growth.
- Wounds located in high-movement areas (like joints) where durability and flexibility are important.
Pros
- Combine the strength and durability of synthetic materials with the healing properties of biologic tissue.
- Provide a moist, protected environment that supports cell growth and tissue regeneration.
- Often require fewer dressing changes compared to some synthetic substitutes.
- Can improve the quality of healing and reduce scarring.
Cons
- May be more expensive than using a single type of skin substitute.
- Require specialized application by trained wound care professionals.
- Possible allergic reaction, though rare.
- Not suitable for wounds with active infection or poor blood flow.
Healing Timeline Expectations
- Patients may notice signs of healing within 1–2 weeks, such as reduced wound size and improved tissue quality.
- Full healing time varies but typically ranges from 4–12 weeks depending on wound complexity and patient health.
- Close follow-up care is essential to ensure the wound is responding well.
Our Promise:
We will always select the safest and most effective skin substitute based on your wound type, healing stage, and overall health.
Our Approach to Skin Substitutes
At Family and Wound Care Solutions, we believe every wound deserves a customized healing plan — and skin substitutes play a vital role in helping many patients achieve faster, safer recovery.
- Personalized Treatment Plans: We carefully evaluate your wound’s size, type, location, and healing stage, along with your overall health, to select the most appropriate skin substitute for your unique needs.
- Expert Application and Monitoring: Our experienced wound care specialists apply skin substitutes using the latest techniques and closely monitor your healing progress with regular follow-ups to adjust treatment as needed.
- Combination Therapy: Skin substitutes are often combined with other advanced treatments like debridement, infection control, and specialized dressings to create an optimal healing environment.
- Patient Comfort and Education: We prioritize your comfort throughout the process and provide clear, easy-to-understand guidance on what to expect before, during, and after skin substitute application.
- Convenient Care Settings: Whether at one of our clinics in Pasadena or Paramount, or in the comfort of your home, we ensure you receive top-quality care wherever you are.
Our goal is simple: to help your wound heal fully and restore your quality of life — with compassion, expertise, and cutting-edge treatments.
Why Choose Us for Skin Substitute Treatments?
- Specialized Expertise: Our wound care specialists are highly trained in advanced skin substitute therapies and use evidence-based protocols tailored to your unique wound needs.
- Personalized Care: We develop customized treatment plans based on thorough evaluation, ensuring the most effective product and approach for you.
- Comprehensive Services: From wound assessment and debridement to skin substitute application and follow-up, we provide full-spectrum care under one roof.
- Convenient Locations & In-Home Care: Receive expert treatment at our Pasadena or Paramount clinics, or in the comfort of your home if mobility is a challenge.
- Patient-Centered Approach: We prioritize your comfort, answer all your questions, and keep you informed throughout your healing journey.
- Proven Results: Our patients benefit from faster healing times, reduced complications, and improved wound outcomes thanks to our advanced therapies.
Choose Family and Wound Care Solutions — where your healing is our highest priority.
Patient Education & Resources
What to Expect During a Skin Substitute Procedure
- Your wound care specialist will gently apply the skin substitute over the prepared wound bed to promote healing.
- The procedure is usually quick, typically lasting 15–30 minutes, and is done in a clinic or sometimes at home.
- You may feel mild pressure or slight discomfort but most patients find the process painless.
- The area will be covered with a protective dressing afterward to keep the substitute in place.
How to Prepare Before Your Appointment
- Follow any wound cleaning or care instructions provided by your care team.
- Bring a list of your current medications, including supplements.
- Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the treatment area.
- Arrange for transportation if you feel you may need assistance after the procedure.
Aftercare Instructions
- Keep the dressing intact and dry unless otherwise instructed.
- Avoid touching or disturbing the treated area to allow the skin substitute to integrate.
- Follow your provider’s schedule for dressing changes and follow-up visits.
- Take prescribed medications, including antibiotics or pain relievers, as directed.
- Avoid soaking the wound (no baths, pools, or hot tubs) until fully healed.
Signs of Infection or Complications
Contact us immediately if you notice:
- Increased redness, swelling, or warmth around the treated area
- Foul-smelling or increased drainage
- Fever or chills
- Sudden or worsening pain
- Dressing loosening or falling off prematurely
Home Wound Monitoring Checklist
- Check the wound daily for changes in size, color, or drainage
- Follow dressing change instructions carefully
- Protect the area from pressure, trauma, or moisture
- Maintain good nutrition and hydration to support healing
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments
Downloadable Patient Guides
We offer easy-to-understand guides to help you care for your wound after a skin substitute procedure, including:
- Skin Substitute Care Basics
- Signs of Infection and When to Seek Help
- Nutrition Tips for Wound Healing
- Dressing Change Instructions
Ask for your free copies during your visit or download them anytime from our website.
Types of Grafts We Use
At Family and Wound Care Solutions, we customize care based on your wound type. Our options include:
- Placental tissue grafts: Contains natural growth factors to boost healing.
- Fish skin: From sustainably sourced cod, ideal for promoting skin regeneration
- Synthetic grafts: Contains collagen and antimicrobial properties to fight infection and support healing
- Porcine grafts: Derived from pig skin, known to support healing in large or deep wounds and widely used in wound care
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a skin substitute painful?
Most patients experience little to no pain during the application. You may feel mild pressure or slight discomfort, but the procedure is generally well tolerated.
How long does it take to heal after a skin substitute?
Healing time varies depending on the size and type of wound, as well as your overall health. Many patients see improvement within 1–2 weeks, with full healing often taking 4–12 weeks.
Will I need multiple treatments?
Some wounds heal after a single application, while others may require multiple treatments. Your care team will develop a plan tailored to your wound’s needs and healing progress.
Is it covered by insurance?
Most health insurance plans, including Medicare, typically cover medically necessary skin substitute treatments. We can help verify your coverage before starting treatment.
Can it be done at home?
Yes! For eligible patients, we offer skin substitute application in the comfort of your home, especially for those with mobility challenges or receiving home health care.
Related Services
Our Mission
About Family and Wound Care Solutions Inc.
At Family and Wound Care Solutions Inc., our mission is to provide affordable and quality medical services to all patients, regardless of their background or financial status.