A lack of systemic hormones in elderly postmenopausal women leads to delayed cutaneous wound healing. This effect can be reversed by systemic or topical estrogen replacement in both humans and rodent models. Over recent years selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have been developed in an attempt to achieve the beneficial effects of estrogen clinically, while minimising the detrimental side-effects. The effects of SERMs on the skin are poorly understood and the effects on wound healing have not been assessed. In this study we treated 10 week old ovariectomised mice with estradiol, tamoxifen, raloxifene or vehicle and examined the effect on healing of full thickness incisional wounds. Both tamoxifen and raloxifene substantially accelerate healing, associated with a dampened inflammatory response and altered inflammatory cytokine profile. In vitro tamoxifen and raloxifene demonstrate anti-inflammatory activity comparable to estrogen. These results have significant implications for the clinical modulation of wound healing.