Scientists are discovering that special components from bacteria—called postbiotics—might be better at healing wounds than live bacteria. Unlike probiotics (which are alive), postbiotics are the inactive parts or substances left behind after bacteria are processed. Early research shows these postbiotics could help wounds close faster, reduce swelling, fight infection, and strengthen skin. Because they’re not alive, they’re easier to store, safer to use, and don’t have the problems that come with live bacteria. Doctors are now testing postbiotics in wound dressings and skin creams to see if they can revolutionize how we treat cuts, scrapes, and other skin injuries.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether dead bacterial components (called postbiotics) could help heal skin wounds better than other treatments
  • Who participated: This was a review article that looked at many different studies—not a single study with participants. Researchers examined experimental lab studies and clinical trials testing postbiotics on wounds
  • Key finding: Postbiotics appear to speed up wound healing, reduce inflammation, fight bacteria, and help skin rebuild itself—and they may work even better than live probiotics because they’re more stable and safer
  • What it means for you: In the future, you might see postbiotics in wound bandages or skin creams at your doctor’s office or pharmacy. However, most of these treatments are still being tested, so talk to your doctor before trying anything new for serious wounds

The Research Details

This was a review article, which means researchers looked at and summarized many different studies that had already been done on postbiotics and wound healing. Instead of doing their own experiment with patients, they gathered information from lab experiments and clinical trials that other scientists had completed. They analyzed what these studies found about how postbiotics work and whether they actually help heal wounds.

The researchers looked at both experimental studies (done in labs with cells and tissues) and clinical studies (done with real people). This approach helps scientists understand the big picture of what we know about a topic before deciding what to study next.

Review articles are important because they help doctors and scientists understand what we’ve learned so far about a treatment. By looking at many studies together, researchers can spot patterns and see if the evidence is strong enough to recommend something new. This type of research helps guide what doctors might try next and what patients should know about emerging treatments.

This is a review article published in a respected medical journal, which means experts checked the work. However, because it’s a review and not an original study with patients, we can’t say for certain that postbiotics will work the same way in every person. The actual strength of the evidence depends on the quality of the studies the researchers reviewed. More large-scale human studies are needed to confirm these promising early findings.

What the Results Show

The research suggests that postbiotics can help wounds heal in several ways. First, they appear to speed up the process of wound closure—meaning cuts and scrapes close up faster. Second, postbiotics seem to reduce inflammation (swelling and redness) around wounds, which helps the body focus on healing rather than fighting irritation.

Postbiotics also appear to help the skin rebuild itself by encouraging collagen production. Collagen is a protein that gives skin its strength and structure. When wounds have more collagen, they heal stronger and may leave fewer scars. Additionally, postbiotics seem to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, which protects against infection and keeps moisture in.

Another important benefit is that postbiotics have antimicrobial properties, meaning they can fight off harmful bacteria that might infect a wound. They also appear to help balance the natural bacteria on your skin, which supports overall healing.

The review found that postbiotics have immunomodulatory benefits, which means they help your immune system work better without causing too much inflammation. This is important because some inflammation is good for healing, but too much can slow recovery. Postbiotics seem to find the right balance. The research also showed that postbiotics work well when mixed into wound dressings and topical creams, where they can help keep wounds moist (which speeds healing), prevent infection, and create ideal conditions for recovery.

Postbiotics are different from probiotics, which are live bacteria. While probiotics have shown some benefits, they have limitations: they can die during storage, they might not survive in the wound environment, and there are safety concerns with using live organisms on open wounds. Postbiotics avoid these problems because they’re the inactive components or byproducts of bacteria, not the living cells themselves. This makes them more stable, longer-lasting, and potentially safer. The research suggests postbiotics might offer the benefits of probiotics without the drawbacks, representing a step forward in wound care science.

This review has several important limitations to understand. First, it’s a summary of other studies, not original research with patients, so we can’t be completely certain the findings will work the same way for everyone. Second, many of the studies reviewed were done in laboratories with cells and tissues, not on real people with real wounds. Lab results don’t always translate perfectly to human use. Third, the review doesn’t specify exactly how many studies were analyzed or how strong the evidence is overall. Finally, postbiotics are still relatively new, so there may not be enough long-term studies yet to know if benefits last over time or if there are any delayed side effects.

The Bottom Line

Based on current research, postbiotics show promise for wound healing and may eventually be recommended by doctors. However, confidence level is moderate because most evidence comes from lab studies rather than large human trials. For now, if you have a serious wound, follow your doctor’s current recommendations. In the future, ask your healthcare provider about postbiotic treatments if they become available. For minor cuts and scrapes, standard wound care (cleaning, bandaging, keeping it dry) remains the best approach until postbiotics are more widely available.

Anyone with wounds—from minor cuts to surgical wounds—should pay attention to this research. This is especially important for people with chronic wounds (wounds that don’t heal quickly), diabetics, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthcare providers, dermatologists, and wound care specialists should follow this research closely. People interested in natural or alternative healing methods may find postbiotics appealing since they come from bacteria rather than synthetic chemicals. However, people with severe infections or serious wounds should continue seeing their doctor rather than waiting for postbiotic treatments.

If postbiotics become available as treatments, you probably won’t see results overnight. Based on the research reviewed, wound healing improvements might take days to weeks, depending on the wound size and your body’s healing ability. Some benefits (like reduced swelling) might appear within days, while others (like complete wound closure) could take weeks. It’s important to be patient and follow all care instructions. Most postbiotic treatments are still in development, so it may be several years before they’re widely available in stores or prescribed by doctors.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If using a postbiotic wound treatment, track daily wound measurements (length and width in millimeters), redness level (1-10 scale), pain level (1-10 scale), and any signs of infection. Take photos from the same angle each day to visually monitor progress.
  • When a postbiotic wound product becomes available, set daily reminders to apply it as directed, keep the wound clean and dry between applications, and avoid touching or picking at the wound. Log each application in your health app to ensure consistency.
  • Create a weekly summary view showing wound closure progress, infection risk (based on redness, warmth, discharge), and overall healing trajectory. Compare week-to-week changes to see if the treatment is working. Share this data with your healthcare provider at follow-up appointments.

This article summarizes research on postbiotics for wound healing, which is still an emerging field. Postbiotic treatments are not yet widely available or approved by regulatory agencies like the FDA for most wound care applications. Do not use this information to replace professional medical advice. If you have a wound, especially one that is deep, infected, or not healing normally, consult a healthcare provider immediately. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations for wound care. This review represents current research trends but does not guarantee that postbiotics will be safe or effective for your specific situation. Talk to your healthcare provider before trying any new wound treatment.