Research on Silver’s Use in Skin Care

Why Silver Kills Germs and Heals Wounds. People have known for centuries that silver kills germs, but only recently have scientists discovered how the white metal does its work. One question that has eluded scientists is why silver is harmful to bacteria but doesn’t hurt humans. (more)

Overview of Silver: Potent anti-microbial, Heals indolent wounds, Non-toxic to human tissue, No bacterial resistance. Silver has been used for centuries to prevent and treat a variety of diseases, most notably infections. It has been well documented that silver was used in ancient Greece and Rome as a disinfectant for water and other liquid storage… (more)     

The Biological Properties of Silver Related to Wound Infection and Healing. The antimicrobial activity of silver ion is well defined. Silver ion rapidly kills microbes by blocking the cell respiration pathway. The speed of action is almost instantaneous once the silver reaches the microbe. The efficacy of microbe killing is based not only on the amount of silver ion present, but likely also the presence of other silver radicals generated by a silver releasing product. Because of mechanism of action, microbial resistance to silver itself has not been reported. In addition, silver has repeatedly been shown to be non-toxic to human cells. (more) 

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Silver Kills Viruses and Grows Human Tissue, Studies Suggest. In a groundbreaking study, the Journal of Nanotechnology has published a study that found silver nanoparticles kills HIV-1 and is likely to kill virtually any other virus. Also...The mechanism by which silver ions help rebuild tissue has been studied for more than a decade by Dr. Robert Becker of Becker Biomagnetics in New York. (more)

As World's Bacteria Grow More Resistant to Drugs, Silver Takes Over. Bacterial infections are beginning to defy all antibiotics. Hospitals, in particular, are finding bacteria increasingly difficult to eradicate as resistant strains develop, sometimes changing their natural structure to fight off antibiotics. The application of more toxic antibiotics is not an option, because those concentrated doses pose a threat to humans. (more)

Silver's Use as Biocide Expected to be Nearly Double Over Next Six Years. Demand for silver as an anti-bacterial agent is expected to nearly double over the next six years from 5.7 million ounces to 11 million ounces by 2006. (more) 

Oligodynamic Effect of Silver: The oligodynamic effect (greek oligos = few, dynamis = force ) was discovered in 1893 by the Swiss KW Ngeli as a toxic effect of metal-ions on living cells, algae, moulds, spores, fungi, virus, prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms, even in relatively low concentrations. Silver is capable of rendering stored drinking water potable for a long period of time (several months). Water tanks on ships and airplanes are often "silvered". Silver or silver compounds are used externally in skin treatment. (more)

The Science of Oligon. Materials, and in particular metals, that are antimicrobial in minute amounts are called oligodynamic. One of the most potent of these is silver, and the antimicrobial form is silver ions. The microbicidal effects involve both altering the function of the cell membrane and linking to the cell’s DNA, disrupting cell reproduction. The bactericidal action of silver ions is effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria, including the common strains which cause infection and the more virulent antibiotic-resistant strains. Silver ions have also been shown to be fungicidal. Moreover, when silver ions are used in the minute concentrations required to kill or stem the growth of bacteria and fungi, they have not shown any detrimental effect on normal mammalian cells. (more)

FDA Approves Silver-Based Bandages for Over-The-Counter Sales. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared over-the-counter sales of silver- based antimicrobial bandages by Westaim Biomedical Corp., aimed at consumer use. The bandages will be a lower-dose version of the company's Acticoat burn and wound dressings. (more)

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Silver Oxide Moves From Swimming Pools to Fabrics - Kills Bacteria and Keeps Them From Growing on Clothing. Polyvalent silver oxide, now widely used to provide swimming pools with an odorless, non-corrosive alternative to chlorine, is also shown to be effective in keeping textiles germ free. (more)

Silver Ions from 'Oxides' Kill Bacteria Faster, More Effectively in Pools: Clinical Trials Also Show Promise as Medicine. With silver ions gradually replacing chlorine as the anti-bacterial agent of choice, researchers have taken this technology one step further. They are using more powerful silver ions from silver oxide to help kill life-threatening bacteria and other dangerous pathogens faster and more effectively. (more)

Centers for Disease Control Warning on Swimming Pools: Swim at Your Own Risk - Silver-Based Sanitation Systems the Answer. (Washington, D.C. - June 10, 2003) Inadequate cleaning and safeguarding of swimming pools may be exposing millions of Americans to harmful bacteria that cause diarrhea and other illnesses, according to a report released last week by the U.S. Government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in Atlanta, Georgia. (more)

Two New Facial Scrubs Contain Silver. Minaloa Skin Care Products of Irvine, California, has introduced two new facial cleansing products that contain colloidal silver to help kill bacteria. Colloidal silver consists of silver ions dissolved in purified water. (more)

DuPont and HealthShield Team Up for Antibacterial Brushes. Dupont Filaments and HealthShield Technologies, Boston Mass., will begin marketing silver-based antibacterial tooth brushes, hair brushes and other cosmetic applications. (more)

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