In all full-thickness wounds, the primary cells that facilitate epithelialisation are located at the wound edges and hair follicles. Biofilm is most active at the wound edges, where it promotes cell senescence, thereby preventing the ingrowth of new, healthy tissue. Refashioning the wound edge is therefore an important component of wound hygiene.

Refashioning goes one step further than decontaminating the wound edges and removing devitalised tissue, as it uses debridement in the form of sharp debridement or soft debridement pads or gauze to agitate the wound edges to the extent that pinpoint bleeding occurs, where local practice, patient tolerance and consent allow it.