Wounds are injuries that break the skin, leading to disruption of its normal anatomic structure and function. Wound healing is a dynamic and complex process. Hydrogels are three-dimensional (3D) networks consisting of physically or chemically cross-linked bonds of hydrophilic polymers. The insoluble hydrophilic structures demonstrate a remarkable potential to absorb wound exudates and allows oxygen diffusion to accelerate healing. Importantly, hydrogels possess a highly hydrated 3D polymeric network and can bind several-fold more water as compared to their dry weight and can thereby maintain a high moisture level of the wound bed. Due to these unique physical properties, hydrogel networks can be casted into various sizes and shapes. Therefore, hydrogel-based materials are the most suitable dressings to cover skin wounds. Furthermore, hydrogels offer a platform to load cells, antibacterial agents, growth factors, as well as distinct supplementary and biomacromolecules. With regard to ECM similarity, hydrogels used for wound healing applications should provide a cell-friendly 3D environment to promote tissue regeneration, with or without the presence of cells embedded in the scaffold. Importantly, all hydrogels need to satisfy the basic requirements of biocompatibility in clinical use as well as possess unique physical and mechanical properties suited for skin wound applications. Moreover, they also need to provide the appropriate microenvironment for vessel ingrowth and cellular proliferation.
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