11/02/2026
Silver has long been the default. But is it the full story?
Emerging evidence is prompting a closer look at how copper and silver wound dressings compare, not just for antimicrobial control, but for their broader impact on healing.
A recent review in the Journal of Biomaterials Applications,“Shifting the clinical paradigm: Copper versus silver wound dressings – Where we are and what we are looking for” evaluates differences in:
🔵 Spectrum of antimicrobial activity
🔵 Effects on wound repair biology
🔵 Safety and cytotoxicity considerations
🔵 Clinical use across stages of care
While silver dressings are often used for short-term bioburden management, the review highlights that copper-based dressings demonstrate antimicrobial activity alongside support for key healing processes, including angiogenesis, matrix formation, and re-epithelialisation.