Crossword Genius

Tear off a strip when redness regularly appears during healing (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

censure

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'healing' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how one could define the other.

'tear off a strip when redness regularly appears during' is the wordplay.
'tear off a strip' becomes 'cur' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'when' becomes 'e' (I've seen this in other clues).
'regularly appears' indicates alternate letters (I've seen 'regularly appearing' mean this).
'during' indicates putting letters inside.
The alternating letters of 'redness' are 'ens'.
'cur'+'e'='cure'
'cure' enclosing 'ens' is 'CENSURE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for censure that I've seen before include "Rebuke formally" , "Carpet" , "Reproof - blame" , "Harsh criticism or disapproval" , "Blame or rebuke" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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