DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH ZINC IN YOUR DIET?

In Australia, our soils are prone to zinc deficiency.



Our foods are generally low in zinc. This leads to a great number of us being zinc deficient. Approx 45% of males and 75% of females are zinc deficient. 

Zinc is important for healthy skin healing. Zinc in considered a cellular building block and therefore is required for the synthesis of new tissues, such as skin. Deficiency signs include impaired wound healing due to decreased collagen synthesis. Zinc aids in the synthesis of collagen. 

Zinc oral supplements are used to treat:

• Eczema
• Dermatitis
• Sensitive Skin
• Acne
• Psoriasis

Zinc is also used in topical preparations and applied to the skin for treating acne, aging skin, herpes simplex infections, and to speed wound healing.

Zinc also supports a healthy immune system and can reduce the severity and duration of colds.

To find out if you have a deficiency, you can do a zinc test at Fletcher Brown Skin Clinic. It only takes 10 seconds - and is free.

If you are found to have a deficiency Ethical Nutrients' Zinc Fix is great for building up your levels... plus it has 1000mg of Vitamin C included - for increased skin health and immunity. Remember Fletcher Brown Skin Clinic sell Ethical Nutrients at 10% below recommended retail price.

If you are having microdermabrasion, chemical peels, collagen induction therapy (skin needling), or plastic/cosmetic surgery, having sufficient levels of zinc in your system is vital for the results of your treatment/procedure.

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ZINC AS ORAL SUPPLEMENT :

• For treating the common cold: one zinc gluconate or acetate lozenge, providing 9-24 mg elemental zinc, dissolved in the mouth every two hours while awake when cold symptoms are present.
• For diarrhea in malnourished or zinc-deficient children: 10-40 mg elemental zinc daily.
• For preventing and treating pneumonia in undernourished children in developing countries: 10-70 mg/day.
• For hypogeusia (sense of taste is abnormal): 25-100 mg zinc.
• For the eating disorder anorexia nervosa: 100 mg of zinc gluconate daily.
• For treating stomach ulcers: zinc sulfate 200 mg three times daily.
• For muscle cramps in zinc deficient people with liver disease: zinc sulfate 220 mg twice daily.
• For osteoporosis: 15 mg zinc combined with 5 mg manganese, 1000 mg calcium, and 2.5 mg copper has been used.
• For sickle cell disease: zinc sulfate 220 mg three times daily.
• To increase growth and weight gain in children with sickle cell disease who have not reached puberty: 10 mg elemental zinc per day.
• For treating attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children: doses of zinc sulfate 55 mg (15 mg elemental zinc) to 150 mg (40 mg elemental zinc) daily.
• For treating acne: 30-135 mg elemental zinc daily.
• For treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD): elemental zinc 80 mg plus vitamin C 500 mg, vitamin E 400 IU, and beta-carotene 15 mg daily.

Please ask your skin specialist if you have any questions! And enjoy health!

Paula :)

WHAT IS L.E.D. PHOTOTHERAPY?

BELOW WE TALK ABOUT:  

...HOW L.E.D. ACTUALLY WORKS, HOW IT WAS DEVELOPED, WHAT CONDITIONS L.E.D. CAN HELP TREAT, THE SAFETY OF L.E.D., WHAT IS INVOLVED IN AN L.E.D. TREATMENT, AND MORE...

HOW L.E.D. ACTUALLY WORKS.  

L.E.D. is short for 'Light Emitting Diode'. This safe, gentle & PAIN-FREE technology assists in promoting healthy skin function. Different wavelengths (Light) stimulate specific cells to treat a range of conditions. For instance the Red light targets the cells which are responsible for repair and synthesis of the skin's supportive structure, including collagen and elastin. This leads to tighter, firmer & more youthful looking skin. Even the delicate eye area can be treated with brilliant results, with L.E.D. reducing fine lines.

L.E.D. is also a wonderful treatment for problem skin as the Blue light targets the oil glands and the acne bacteria. 

HOW LED WAS DEVELOPED?

L.E.D was re-developed by NASA in the 1980s when they tried to use L.E.D. to grow plants in outer-space. The L.E.D. was found to be very successful due to the regeneration of cells.
After this NASA applied L.E.D. to wound healing in humans. The natural healing time was spead up by 4 to 5 times!
Now L.E.D. is applied in the skin industry to regenerate cells and improve the skin's natural functions.

WHAT CONDITIONS CAN L.E.D. HELP TREAT?

1. Anti-ageing, skin firming & reduction of fine lines & wrinkles.
2. Reducing oil flow in over-productive oil glands, destroying the bacteria responsible for acne & reducing ance scarring.
3. Improves the results of intensive treatments including Chemical Peels, Microdermabrasion, C.I.T. (skin needling) & Plastic/Cosmetic Surgery - as well as speeding up healing time.  The use of L.E.D. during a course of intensive treatments or after surgery ensures the collagen fibers knit together in a uniform pattern - providing more attractive results. 

L.E.D. also helps treat psoriasis, rosacea & pigmentation.  L.E.D. has been used to treat depression and S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Many clients report feeling very uplifted and calm after each session.

THE SAFETY OF L.E.D.

L.E.D. is an extremely safe therapy - with no reported complications. L.E.D. is suitable for most people.  Due to it's safe nature it is fantastic to use on sensitive skin. Caution should only be taken post cosmetic injectables - as L.E.D. may be too stimulating to the skin cells immediately post injectables. Caution should also be taken for pregnancy.

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN A L.E.D. TREATMENT?

During your L.E.D treatment at Fletcher Brown, you will relax on our comfy treatment table while your therapist cleanses, & may exfoliate your skin - the L.E.D. light will then be place between 6 and 20 c.m. above your face for 20 minutes. The only sensation you may feel is a warm gentle heat. You will be be treated with appropriate serums, eye product and hydrators.  You do not need to wear goggles during your L.E.D. treatment, so your eyelids will also benefit from the treatment - leading to younger looking & firming skin in this area.

This treatment can be used:

1. As a course of ten X 30 minute treatments that should be undertaken 2 x per week for 5 weeks.
2. As a way to improve results during a course of intensive skin treatments such as C.I.T. (skin needling), chemical peels, Microdermabrasion & post Plastic/cosmetic surgery. L.E.D. helps collagen fibers knit together in a more uniform pattern post ablative therapies. Your therapist will discuss amount and frequency required.
3. To increase healing time immedially after your intensive skin treatment e.g. C.I.T. Chemical Peels, I.P.L. Microdermabrasion & Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery

Discuss this treatment with your skin specialist to find out more information, or email info@fletcherbrown.com.au. We would love to help you achieve the ultimate results you are after.

Paula x

Supplements & Diet Change for Great Skin

It can be a little tricky to know where to start with supplements & diet changes.  It is often these little changes that are the key to excellent skin health.  To make it easy, we have put together this easy to use chart for anyone who suffers from skin conditions. 

Or pop in to Fletcher Brown at any time and there will always be a friendly face there to help you!  We stock Ethical Nutrients supplements, and our clients get excellent results.

Skin Condition	Supplements	Foods Best Avoided
Eczema	·         Fish oil or Flaxseed oil ·         If inflamed EPO 2 x daily until inflammation subsides. ·         Probiotics before food. ·         Zinc fix, until zinc levels are high enough – then zinc maintain ·         Vit C	Tomatoes, Strawberries, Oranges, Peanuts, Yeast, Dairy, Sugar, reduce caffeinated drinks & reduce alcohol.
Dry Skin	·         Fish oil or flaxseed oil daily	Reduce caffeinated drinks & reduce alcohol.
Dermatitis	·         Fish oil or Flaxseed oil ·         Evening Primrose oil ·         Probiotics before food. ·         Zinc fix, until zinc levels are high enough – then zinc maintain ·         Vit C	Tomatoes, Strawberries, Oranges, Peanuts, Yeast, Dairy, Sugar, reduce caffeinated drinks & reduce alcohol.
Acne Skin	·         Zinc ·         Vit C ·         Probiotics	Dairy, Yeast, Sugar, reduce caffeinated drinks & reduce alcohol.
Rosacea	·         Zinc ·         Probiotics ·         Vit C	Red wines, spicy food, reduce caffeinated drinks & reduce alcohol.
Psoriasis	Psoriasis is linked to weight problems, psoriatic arthritis, high blood pressure, depression/anxiety & diabetes.  For best results, the underlying cause must be treated for long term results.  Topical skin treatments should be combined with help from your doctor/naturopath.
Smoking is best avoided for all skin types. Smoking dramatically impedes the skin healing ability, and the skins natural immunity.  Smoking leads to lowering of Vitamins C,E,D& A in the body.  All of these vitamins are important for skin function, health & healing – without enough of these vitamins, skin cannot be at its best. Smoking can be responsible for sensitivities in skin, premature ageing, lines, wrinkles, grey, dull and sallow skin tone & slow healing skin.

Most conditions take a month of treatment with diet & supplements for every year that the problem has occurred.  If condition does not improve with the recommendations after the required months, please see a good naturopath or medical practitioner.

Nb:  Please follow directions on supplement label unless otherwise advised by your doctor or naturopath.

Eczema, Dermatitis, Psoriasis

These conditions are a result of defective skin cells over-dividing, resulting in inflammation and an impaired skin barrier. These conditions can have varying triggers depending on the condition and quite individual treatment plans.  Your skin specialist will give you more specific information depending on the skin condition.