Spa Canada Magazine

BOTB-March-April2011

Q: What does Polypodium Leucotomos do for the skin?

A type of fern native to South and Central America, Polypodium Leucotomos has been used in native folk remedies for hundreds of years. It is only since the 1970’s however, that Polypodium Leucotomos extracts have become available commercially.

Although only a small number of human studies have been completed, lab and animal-based research has shown Polypodium Leucotomos to be a strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. Additionally, while it is too early to be definitive, Polypodium Leucotomos also appears to act as an
immunity booster.

As to its usefulness in skin care; preliminary studies have shown that, when taken internally, Polypodium Leucotomos has the ability to reduce skin aging and damage caused by the sun’s harmful UV rays. Moreover, some studies have shown that Polypodium Leucotomos appears to reduce the severity of sunburns and, perhaps, most significantly, that it decreases a person’s risk of contracting skin cancer. A small study has also been conducted demonstrating that Polypodium Leucotomos shows promise in treating vitiligo. Additionally, it has been used in Europe and South America for over 30 years to treat psoriasis.

While larger studies are needed to verify these early-stage findings, as well as to ascertain whether or not there are any adverse side effects, Polypodium Leucotomos definitely shows promise as a potential tool to keep our skin healthy and younger-looking.

Please submit your questions by email to Ms. Zaborski at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

In 1978 Ms. Zaborski founded the Corrective Skin Care Institute Inc, a pioneering medical spa, and for the past ten years has worked with an international team of cosmetic chemists and medical profess-ionals to develop the System for Optimal Skin™ (SOS™) skin correction system.