It is believed that Cleopatra wore pure gold for a radiant complexion. Romans used gold preparations for treatment of skin lesions and sores. Egyptians believed the healing powers of gold could cure all
manner of physical, mental and spiritual ailments. In ancient Chinese medicine,
gold was the secret to youthful skin. Today gold leaf is used in the treatment
and rejuvenation of skin conditions. The application of gold compounds to
medicine, called chrysotherapy, reduces inflammation beneficial in the treatment
of a variety of diseases, but this therapy often causes adverse gold-related
skin reactions.
Rejuvenation of Skin
Many luxury spas use 24-carat gold leaf treatments to
hydrate, firm and moisturize the skin claiming reduced fine lines and wrinkles
resulting in smooth and radiant skin. A news feed from the World Gold Council
site reported a gold leaf facial treatment created in Japan declaring gold leaf
put on the face naturally rejuvenates skin and reduce wrinkles. According to
the creators of the treatment, gold locks in moisture and keeps skin firm by
maintaining collagen in the skin and inhibiting the breakdown of elastin. A
study appearing in the "The Journal of the American Medical Association,"
reported the effect of gold leaf on low blood-flow skin ulcers. Findings showed
a significant improvement in mouth legions and skin ulcers with no adverse
reactions to gold leaf observed.
Contact Dermatitis
Allergic reactions to gold are extremely rare but can result from
direct skin contact. According to a publication in the "Daily News
Analysis," some people display allergic skin responses to gold
jewelery or dental crowns, says Dr. Thomas Fuchs of Goettingen University
Hospital in Germany. After a survey of various dermatological clinics and
hospitals, he concluded pure, unalloyed gold can trigger allergic reactions.
The degree of allergy varies from immediate dermatitis on hands and feet from
contact with gold items to reactions only after many years of skin contact.
Skin Rashes from
Chrysotherapy
Chrysotherapy is a successful treatment for rheumatoid
arthritis, but dermatological reactions to gold limit therapeutic usage. A
study done at Tel Aviv Medical Center reported in "Annals of Rheumatic Diseases"
was discontinued when patients given gold salts reacted adversely with symptoms
including gold-induced skin rashes. After the study was stopped, coincidentally
the patients with skin rash experienced remission in their rheumatoid
arthritis. The patients without skin rash did not.
Skin Disorder
Treatment
Gold is thought to have anti-bacterial properties and help
transport oxygen molecules into the skin for cell-renewal to treat ulcers and
inflammatory disorders of the skin. Some skin healing benefits of gold were
demonstrated by an in vitro chrysotherapy study, by the University of Miami School of
Medicine, which found that concentrations of gold administered in
skin inhibited prostaglandin synthesis. "The Journal of Investigative Dermatology"
reported that the findings suggest gold is beneficial in treating autoimmune
diseases, inflammation and inhibits skin enzymes involved in blister formation.
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