Part of the healing process (4)
I believe the answer is:
scab
'part of the healing process' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for scab that I've seen before include "complaint with scales" , "one works during strike" , "he refuses to come out" , "Crust that forms on a healing skin wound" , "Scoundrel" .)