A few years ago I wrote about a
condition called capirillitis, a skin condition in which the surface of the skin gets
spotted with red and brown clusters. This
condition is the result of months or years of capillary blood bursts that stain
the skin. There are two formulations of zinc that can beused for wound management: zinc oxide and zinc sulfate. For best results, use zinc oxide.
And the NCBI explains in its typically restrained and cautioned tone how zinc oxide heals the skin
Re-epithelialization, an important mechanism in
the closure of leg ulcers, was enhanced with zinc oxide applied topically on
partial-thickness wounds in pigs with normal zinc status. Zinc sulfate at three
different concentrations did not, however, result in this beneficial effect on
the resurfacing of wounds. The inflammatory reaction was diminished in zinc
treated wounds except when a high zinc sulfate concentration was applied.
Bacterial growth and concomitant diseases such as diabetes can complicate wound
healing.
The abstract concluded with this
In
conclusion, topical zinc may stimulate leg ulcer healing by enhancing
re-epithelialization, decreasing inflammation and bacterial growth. When zinc
is applied on wounds it not only corrects a local zinc deficit but also acts
pharmacologically.
So what this tells us is that the
zinc oxide helps with wound healing. Where
have I been all these years?
Has Anti-Aging Effects & Improves
Healing of Tissue Damage
Not only does zinc oxide help prevent future sun damage, wrinkles and
dark spots− it also helps to improve synthesis of new skin tissue and collagen, a key substance needed to maintain skin’s
youthful appearance. The body requires zinc and other trace minerals for
the synthesis of collagen that helps to build and repair connective tissue.
Studies have found that treating damaged, dry or wounded skin with zinc
oxide products for just 48-hours (including during post-operative
treatment) helps skin to heal better, inflammation/redness to be lowered,
pigment to be restored, and interstitial fluid and sebum (oil) to be
better regulated. Zinc can also help increase the amount of other active
ingredients that are absorbed into the skin when its used in conjunction with
other anti-aging products.
Lansdown
et al. looked at various studies using different formulations of topical zinc
oxide on wound healing. The study concluded that the many different
formulations of topical zinc oxide were effective in speeding up the time it
took a wound to heal. However, all of the studies had a different duration of
treatment; therefore, making a recommendation for the duration of treatment
difficult. Since the side effect profile of zinc oxide is mild, it would be
safe to use zinc oxide many times a day for the time is takes the wound to
heal.
Zinc oxide
is the only substance known to block all three forms of UV rays. It does so by
creating a protective barrier on the surface of the skin and reflecting the
rays, which prevent them from penetrating the skin and doing damage.
Aside from sun
protection, zinc oxide also has the ability help speed the healing of wounds.
This is because zinc is known to synthesize collagen and promote the proper
functioning of enzymes, both of which are required for wounds to heal properly.
That sounds good. Then there’s this.
When
applied to wound sites, zinc can reduce overall healing time as well as
providing a clean and moist environment which promotes healing. It also has
astringent properties, which means it can help to shrink skin cells and reduce
inflammation.
zinc should be used within a year of purchase. After that
time it will begin to lose its effectiveness.
Zinc is a trace element very abundant in the body. While it is known
that zinc deficiency can cause delayed
wound healing, the actual role of zinc in wound healing was not known. A number
of experimental studies and clinical trials have been conducted using zinc.
Results showed that topical zinc oxide had increased wound healing, increased
reepithelialization, decreased rates of infection and decreased rates of
deterioration of ulcers. Topical zinc oxide has shown to improve the rate of
wound healing in patients, regardless of their zinc status. Oral zinc
supplementation in zinc deficient patients did not have the same effect.
The animal studies reviewed showed that zinc sulfate did not enhance
wound healing, but delayed it. One of the major roles for zinc in wound healing
was found that zinc oxide enhances the ability of matrix metalloproteinases
(MMPs) to enzymatically break down collagen fragments. There are few clinical
studies, but they have all shown a positive benefit for topical zinc oxide, and
of interest, especially when used for debridement in burns.
Okay, we’re starting to get somewhere. There's this from Podiatry Today:
What
has been clearly demonstrated, however, is that zinc oxide does have a positive
impact on the wound. In a 1991 study, researchers found that using zinc oxide
increased the degradation of collagen in necrotic wounds.5 In another recent study, zinc oxide was found to
promote epithelialization of full thickness skin wounds by the activation of
zinc-dependent MMPs, which facilitate keratinocyte migration. The study also
demonstrated that zinc oxide augmented endogenous expression of insulin-like
growth factor (IGF-1), which is fundamental in the production of granulation
tissue.1 In a
randomized, double-blind study of the efficacy of locally applied zinc oxide on
the healing of leg ulcers, 37 geriatric patients (19 with arterial and 18 with
venous leg ulcers) were treated with either a gauze compress medicated with
zinc oxide or an identical compress without zinc oxide. The treatment was
assessed from ulcer size measurements and the presence or absence of
granulation, and ulcer debridement over a period of eight weeks. The
zinc-treated patients (83% success rate) responded significantly better
than the placebo-treated patients. Researchers found that infections and the
deterioration of ulcers were less common in zinc oxide treated patients.6 In another
animal study, reepithelialization was enhanced when zinc oxide was applied
topically on partial-thickness wound in pigs with normal zinc status. The
inflammatory reaction was diminished in zinc-treated wounds except when
researchers applied a high zinc sulfate concentration.7 Researchers
also assessed bacterial growth in full-thickness wounds and demonstrated a
reduced rate of growth with topical zinc oxide but not in hyperglycemic
diabetic rats. The antibacterial mechanism of zinc oxide was described to be
more indirect (mediated via local defense systems) rather than being directly
toxic to the bacteria.8 When one applies zinc on wounds, it not only corrects a
local zinc deficit but also acts pharmacologically. Getting Results With Zinc
Oxide: A Few Case Studies A 47-year-old type 2 diabetic patient presented to
the office with a chronic grade 1-A (University of Texas Wound Classification
System) ulceration that had been present on and off for over two years. After
providing effective pressure relief and debridement, the patient was treated in
the office and at home with zinc oxide. Within 14 days, the wound completely
closed.
Use this vitamin C liquid first as an astringent on your skin before applying the zinc oxide.
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