https://phys.org/news/2025-04-skin-wounds-humans-slower-primates.html Phys.org Topics * Week's top * Latest news * Unread news * Subscribe [ ] Science X Account [ ] [ ] [*] Remember me Sign In Click here to sign in with or Forget Password? Not a member? Sign up Learn more * Nanotechnology * Physics * Earth * Astronomy & Space * Chemistry * Biology * Other Sciences * Medical Xpress Medicine * Tech Xplore Technology [INS::INS] * * share this! * 300 * Tweet * Share * Email 1. Home 2. Biology 3. Evolution 1. Home 2. Biology 3. Cell & Microbiology * * * --------------------------------------------------------------------- May 1, 2025 report The GIST Editors' notes This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread Skin wounds in humans found to heal nearly three times slower than those in other primates by Bob Yirka , Phys.org Skin wounds in humans found to heal half as fast as those in other primates Comparison of wound-healing distances among primates. Credit: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2025.0233 A team of evolutionary scientists, dermatologists and wildlife specialists affiliated with several institutions in Japan, Kenya and France has found that human skin wounds take nearly three times as long to heal as they do in other primates. In their study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, the group conducted experiments involving skin healing speed in humans and several other primates. Prior research and anecdotal evidence suggest that other animals recover from skin wounds faster than humans. In this new effort, the research team sought to measure such differences. The experiments involved comparing skin wounds in humans--courtesy of volunteers at a hospital undergoing skin tumor removal--and several primates. Wound healing pace in chimpanzees was measured by studying chimps housed at a sanctuary who endured skin wounds periodically due to fighting between males. The team also measured the rate of wound healing in monkeys housed at a research institute in Kenya--there, olive baboons, Sykes' monkeys and vervet monkeys were given skin wounds while anesthetized. In looking at the data, the researchers found that all the test subjects healed at nearly the same rate--0.62 millimeters of new skin growth a day--except for humans, who healed at an average of 0.25 millimeters per day. The researchers also tested mice and rats and found their healing rates were similar to those of non-human primates . The research team suggests the reason for the difference lies in humans having lost their fur. They note that hair follicle stem cells can grow skin cells when needed. Humans have replaced most of their hair follicles with sweat glands, which also have stem cells that can grow into skin cells, but do so far less efficiently. As humans lost their fur, the researchers note, they replaced them with sweat glands to prevent overheating. The trade-off was obviously worth it, or humans would be covered in fur today. They also note that the expanding brain may have helped along the way, providing humans with the ability to treat skin wounds in ways other animals cannot. More information: Akiko Matsumoto-Oda et al, Inter-species differences in wound-healing rate: a comparative study involving primates and rodents, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2025.0233 Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B (c) 2025 Science X Network Citation: Skin wounds in humans found to heal nearly three times slower than those in other primates (2025, May 1) retrieved 1 May 2025 from https://phys.org/news/ 2025-04-skin-wounds-humans-slower-primates.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Explore further Detailed study reveals how cells coordinate to heal human wounds --------------------------------------------------------------------- 300 shares * Facebook * Twitter * Email Feedback to editors * Featured * Last Comments * Popular Gene variant preserves rice yields in warmer nighttime temperatures 8 hours ago 0 Unusual reproductive strategies may boost survival in sharks and rays 8 hours ago 0 Astronomers explore the nature of the nearest tidal disruption event 8 hours ago 0 New Jurassic mammalian fossil discovered with an unusual tooth replacement pattern 8 hours ago 0 New catalyst allows asymmetric radical reactions using an engineered ligand 9 hours ago 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------- [gif] AI system targets tree pollen behind allergies 1 hour ago [gif] Unique molecule may lead to smaller, more efficient computers 1 hour ago [gif] Ultimate self-sacrifice: Bacteria activate unusual defense to evade viral attack 3 hours ago [gif] Scientists make discovery that upends our beliefs about how cells divide 3 hours ago [gif] Spinach antimicrobial peptides show promise against crop diseases in citrus and potatoes 3 hours ago [gif] Electricity-generating bacteria's survival strategy could reshape biotech and energy systems 3 hours ago [gif] Precision-engineered surface can enhance silicon solar cell performance 3 hours ago [gif] Depositing quantum dots on corrugated chips improves photodetector capabilities 4 hours ago [gif] How morphogens steer early brain development by guiding stem cell gene activity 4 hours ago [gif] One timed-release capsule could replace taking multiple pills 5 hours ago --------------------------------------------------------------------- Relevant PhysicsForums posts Hydrogen water, any good? Apr 30, 2025 Distinguish whether a pair of animals are related by descent or share a common ancestor Apr 28, 2025 Innovative ideas and technologies to help folks with disabilities Apr 28, 2025 Saccharin, the New Antibiotic Apr 26, 2025 Antonine Plague - small pox measles, or hemorrhagic virus/bacterium? Apr 26, 2025 Here is a weird moth larva Apr 24, 2025 More from Biology and Medical --------------------------------------------------------------------- [INS::INS] * Related Stories [gif] Detailed study reveals how cells coordinate to heal human wounds Dec 27, 2024 [gif] Hair follicles heal blisters at personal cost Jun 14, 2021 [gif] An electrically charged thin film patch used to promote wound healing Jan 28, 2022 [gif] Intestinal parasite could hold key to scar-free wound healing, study suggests Aug 23, 2024 [gif] Inhibiting certain fibroblasts in the skin eliminates scarring in mice Apr 23, 2021 [gif] Lifelike lab-grown skin developed from human stem cells Mar 7, 2024 * Recommended for you [gif] Scientists make discovery that upends our beliefs about how cells divide 3 hours ago [gif] Ultimate self-sacrifice: Bacteria activate unusual defense to evade viral attack 3 hours ago [gif] Electricity-generating bacteria's survival strategy could reshape biotech and energy systems 3 hours ago [gif] How morphogens steer early brain development by guiding stem cell gene activity 4 hours ago [gif] Unusual reproductive strategies may boost survival in sharks and rays 8 hours ago [gif] Invasive rats and rainforest mammals are sharing gut microbes as urban areas grow 7 hours ago Load comments (0) Get Instant Summarized Text (Gist) Human skin wounds heal at an average rate of 0.25 mm per day, nearly three times slower than in other primates, which heal at about 0.62 mm per day. This slower healing in humans is linked to the evolutionary loss of fur and a shift from hair follicles to sweat glands, resulting in less efficient skin cell regeneration from stem cells. This summary was automatically generated using LLM. Full disclaimer Let us know if there is a problem with our content Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines). Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request [-- please select one -- ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Your message to the editors [ ] Your email (optional, only if you'd like a response) [ ] Send Feedback Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors. Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages. E-mail the story Skin wounds in humans found to heal nearly three times slower than those in other primates Your friend's email [ ] Your email [ ] [ ] I would like to subscribe to Science X Newsletter. Learn more Your name [ ] Note Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Phys.org in any form. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Your message [ ] Send Newsletter sign up Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties. [ ] Subscribe More information Privacy policy Donate and enjoy an ad-free experience We keep our content available to everyone. Consider supporting Science X's mission by getting a premium account. Remove ads Maybe later Medical Xpress Medical Xpress Medical research advances and health news Tech Xplore Tech Xplore The latest engineering, electronics and technology advances Science X Science X The most comprehensive sci-tech news coverage on the web Newsletters [ ] Subscribe Science X Daily and the Weekly Email Newsletter are free features that allow you to receive your favorite sci-tech news updates in your email inbox Follow us * * * * * * * * Top * Home * Search * Mobile version * Help * FAQ * About * Contact * Science X Account * Premium Account * Archive * News wire * Android app * iOS app * RSS feeds * Push notification (c) Phys.org 2003 - 2025 powered by Science X Network Privacy policy Terms of use E-mail newsletter [ ] Subscribe Follow us * * * * It appears that you are currently using Ad Blocking software. What are the consequences? x Quantcast