Dermal Fibrosis and the Current Scope of Hydrogel Strategies for Scarless Wound Healing

Dermal fibrosis significantly impacts wound healing by affecting both the appearance and functionality of scarred skin, leading to issues such as pruritus, chronic pain, and loss of mechanical flexibility. Hydrogels, with their extracellular matrix-mimicking properties, have emerged as promising biomaterials for scarless wound regeneration. This review discusses advancements in hydrogel strategies that regulate myofibroblast differentiation, control the wound microenvironment, and mitigate dermal fibrosis. It highlights antifibrotic hydrogel formulations and their practical applications in promoting scarless skin wound healing, offering insights into design principles and mechanisms of action for researchers and clinicians.