Silver in dermatology - From ancient use to modern innovations

Silver, a metal known to mankind since early times, has gained the interest of researchers in recent times, exhibiting a growing trend in the use of silver in modern-day medicine. The biofilm-inhibiting and degrading effects of bioengineered silver nanoparticles have opened opportunities for future research in combating antimicrobial resistance. Silver has demonstrated a beneficial role in burns, wound healing, infections, papulosquamous disorders, and acne vulgaris. Silver has been used in cosmeceuticals, especially in deodorants, lipsticks, foundations, powders, and eyebrow pencils, owing to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The astringent and hemostatic properties of silver have also been utilized in skin care. Chronic exposure to silver causes its deposition in tissue referred to as ‘argyria’ which can be localized or generalized with a bluish-gray appearance due to the Tyndall effect. Allergic contact dermatitis has been reported due to contact with silver sulfadiazine, silver nitrate, and silver fulminate. Further research is needed to explore the promising avenues for silver in healthcare.