What is the purpose of a skin graft?

The purpose of a skin graft is primarily to promote faster healing and prevent infection. Skin grafts are often used when there is a significant loss of skin due to injury, surgery, or burns. By placing healthy skin over the damaged area, a skin graft can speed up the healing process by providing a new layer that is better suited to protect the underlying tissues. This new skin helps maintain an appropriate environment for healing, reduces the risk of infection by covering exposed tissues, and can assist in reducing complications associated with inflammation and fluid loss.

While enhancing aesthetic appearance and creating an artificial skin barrier may be associated outcomes of skin grafts, they are not the primary purposes. Similarly, while cushioning for underlying tissues can occur with healing, the main goal is to facilitate rapid recovery and infection management.