Skin grafting is recommended to treat severe injuries in which the body’s skin is damaged. These may include open wounds, scars, areas of infection with skin loss, and burn wounds. The need for skin grafting should be discussed with a plastic surgeon.

Skin grafting is usually performed under general anesthesia in the hospital. It involves the transfer of skin from another part of the body to the injured area. The skin graft contains the epidermis and only a part of the dermis. Therefore, a new layer of skin will be able to form at the donor site. The beginning stages of healing take about three to five days, in which the patient should stay at the hospital. Final healing of the skin graft can take up to six weeks.