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 :)

CHIA SEEDS OR FLAXSEEDS?

WHICH IS BEST FOR YOUR SKIN?

Flaxseed has been known for it’s health benefits for a lot longer than Chia – and Flaxseed has also been studied much more. On the other hand – Chia has been reported as having more Omega 3, Calcium and Fibre. So let’s have a closer look to compare the 2.

PROTEIN

Chia - One ounce of chia seeds contain 4.4 grams of vegetarian protein – this is almost as high as meat, and higher than eggs! Chia seeds are complete protein – which is extremely rare for plant based foods.
Flax – The same amount of flaxseeds have even more protein – 5.1 grams per ounce. Flaxseed proteins are not complete. Combining with another plant based protein would be necessary to get a complete protein.

OMEGA 3

Chia – One ounce of chia seeds has around 5 grams
Flax – One ounce of flaxseed has about 4.7grams 

DIETARY FIBER

Chia – One ounce of chia seeds contain approx 10.6grams
Flax – One ounce of flaxseed contains around 7.6 grams
Things are not all down for Flaxseed though... in the vitamin department – flaxseed really takes over! See the chart below:

FLAXSEED V  CHIA

	FLAXSEED	CHIA
CALORIES	150	137
FIBRE	7.6	10.6
VITAMINS		N/A
C	0.2	N/A
E	0.1 mg	N/A
K	1.2 mcg	N/A
THIAMIN	0.5 mg	N/A
NIACIN	0.9 mg	N/A
B6	0.1 mg	N/A
FOLATE	24.4 mcg	N/A
CHOLINE	22.0 mg	N/A
PANTOTHENIC ACID	0.3 mg	N/A
BETAINE	0.9 mg	N/A
MINERALS
CALCIUM	71.4 mg	177 mg
IRON	1.6 mg	n/a
MAGNESIUM	110 mg	n/a
PHOSPHORUS	180 mg	265 mg
POTASSIUM	228 mg	44.8 mg
SODIUM	8.4 mg	5.3 mg
ZINC	1.2 mg	1.0 mg
COPPER	0.3 mg	0.1 mg
MANGANESE	0.7 mg	0.6 mg
SELENIUM	7.1 mcg	n/a

CONCLUSION:

Both flaxseed and chia seed have AMAZING health benefits! If possible, both should be included in the diet to get maximum benefit. I recommend most clients who are interested in great skin health to have 1 - 2 teaspoons of flax/chia oil per day. 

To gain the dietary fibre benefits – ground flaxseed and whole chia seeds can be included in cereal, smoothies and salads. 

For people with dry/dehydrated skin - they will generally notice a great improvement at around one month after beginning to take the oil as a supplement. Once the difference is noticed, you will not know how you lived without it!

For more advice, see your skin specialist.

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

PAULA'S YOUTUBE CLIP ON LED

WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW A LITTLE MORE ABOUT LED?

Click this link to see Paula's clip on the history, theory and therapeutic applications of LED (Light Emitting Diode).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZhgFLB9eYw

Have a watch! :)

3 COSMETIC INDUSTRY ADVERTISING FIBS

YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED.....

1.  The ‘pseudo-science’ marketing behind the major cosmetic companies.  These companies stock their products for easy access in supermarkets and cosmetic counters.  These product companies spend an incredible amount on advertising.  Currently the trend is to highlight the lastest "medical/scientific" ingredients which they are including in their products.  When the actual ingredients are looked into, it  has generally shown, the quantities of actual active ingredients that go into these products are so small, they cannot make an improvement to the skin.

 2.      Extravagant Packaging. Unfortunately the packing of the supermarket and cosmetic counter ‘skin care’ companies can be as expensive as - or more expensive  - than the actual product.  This packaging is used to make the product look either like it has a scientific, high end, or a natural basis.  Please beware of any company that look to be putting a huge emphasis on over packaged products.  They may have something they are compensating for.

3.     “Scientific Studies”.  Please listen closely to advertising that have ‘studies’ that back up their claims for improving the skin.  You may have noticed that most advertisements do not state the study size, what group of people they have surveyed and how they measured their results.

We are not saying that all cosmetics in supermarkets and cosmetic counters have no value.  There are some “good brands” and some “not so good brands”.

The 'not so good' brands are highly synthetic with extremely little active ingredient.   The high amount of sythetics can lead to skin becoming redder in appearance, more sensitive, increase ageing, irritations can occur and/or congestion.

If you are interested in buying your product from these places, please try to stick to brands that are certified organic.  So at least you know they are safe.   Saying ‘organic’ on the label does not mean it is organic.  The only way to ensure it is really a natural and partly organic product is to check for an organic certification. 

If this is the way you want to go, please stick to a basic creamy or milky cleanser and a light moisturiser.  Even if this is done, the problem with picking a product from the shelf, is it may not be the correct one for your skin, so you still may end up with more ageing, more sensitivities and more congestion.  Although sticking to the absolute basics should reduce this.

The best and safest option to get the correct product for your skin is to see a Dermal Therapist at your Skin Clinic. 

If price is a concern, please let your Therapist know, and he/she will work within your budget. 

If results are your interest, you will be in the best hands possible J

L.E.D. Photodynamic Therapy

L.E.D. (Light Emitting Diode) was first developed by NASA in the 1980’s and studies confirmed that it would regenerate human cells – in fact NASA also proved that wounds exposed to L.E.D. healed 4 to 5 times faster than usual. L.E.D. Photodynamic Therapy is now used in skin clinics to effectively treat most skin types including acne, rosacea, wrinkles, lines, fresh scarring & psoriasis. L.E.D. ...

works so brilliantly on skin because the wave length can be tailored to be delivered to the layer of skin that needs to be targeted, as well as effectively killing damaging bacteria. L.E.D. is also able to treat general tiredness & S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder). The great news is that L.E.D. is completely pain-free! It is actually really relaxing. A course of 2 treatments a week for 5 weeks will give the best results. Call 97496261 to book your consultation, find out about our launch special package prices and to book your treatment! You are going to love your before and after photos!

Sensitive/Sensitized Skin, General

One can have a pre-disposition to sensitive skin or normal skin can become sensitized using unsuitable cosmetics or diet.  Skin treatments, skin care & diet & nutrition consultations can have a major impact on sensitive skin.  Ask if we can help with your concern if it is not mentioned here.