About Our Chalk

Our Chalks Composition

Our skin healing chalk consists of a special mixture of 100% magnesium carbonate (traditional chalk) and 100% Zinc Oxide. We also offer a bulkier chalk that is without the zinc properties, and is 100% magnesium carbonate.

The addition of Zinc has been scientifically proven to help restore skin cell tissues in damaged areas quickly. Using our chalk, the skin on your hands, worn down and hurt from climbing, gymnastics, or weightlifting, is proven to heal more rapidly than other traditional chalk products. Choosing Summit Seekers Chalk allows athletes to train longer and more often with less wear and tear on their skin.

The Benefits of Zinc

There are several potential benefits to adding zinc oxide to magnesium carbonate in climbing chalk:

  1. Skin Healing Properties: Zinc oxide has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. When applied to the skin, it can help reduce redness, irritation, and inflammation, as well as promote the healing of cuts and scrapes.

  2. Drying Properties: Zinc oxide is also known for its ability to absorb moisture. Adding it to magnesium carbonate could potentially help the chalk absorb more sweat and moisture from the skin, resulting in better grip and less slipping while climbing.

  3. Antimicrobial Properties: Zinc oxide has been shown to have antimicrobial properties, meaning it can help kill bacteria and fungi. This could potentially be beneficial for climbers who are prone to developing skin infections from the bacteria and fungi found on climbing holds and in chalk bags.

However, it's important to note that the benefits of adding zinc oxide to magnesium carbonate for climbing chalk have not been extensively studied or proven in scientific research. As with any new product, climbers should proceed with caution and carefully monitor their skin's reaction to the new chalk to ensure it doesn't cause any adverse effects.

Skin Regeneration with Zinc

Our claims are scientifically proven and come from the National Library of Medicine and the National Center for Biotechnological Information. According to those sources, "Zinc is a micronutrient that is essential to human health. Zinc plays a major role in regulating every phase of the wound healing process; ranging from membrane repair, oxidative stress, coagulation, inflammation and immune defence, tissue re-epithelialization, angiogenesis, to fibrosis/scar formation. With huge demands for improved wound care, we need a more thorough in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms in which zinc functions. A more thorough comprehension of the cellular cross-talks and MMP regulation would go a long way in progressing the field wound healing. The biological function and therapeutic potential of TRIM proteins, such as MG53, in wound repair is emerging. Understanding the precise mechanisms by which Zinc regulates their activity remains unexplored, yet is crucial. Further inquiry into the mechanisms of Zinc and the proteins for which it serves as a cofactor, will greatly advance the treatment and care of difficult-to-heal wounds." You can read the full study here.

Lin, P.-H., Sermersheim, M., Li, H., Lee, P. H. U., Steinberg, S. M., & Ma, J. (2017, December 24). Zinc in wound healing modulation. Nutrients.

 

Skin Absorption

According to a study by the National Library of Medicine and the National Center for Biotechnological Information, "small amounts of zinc from zinc oxide particles applied in sunscreen outdoors are absorbed through human skin" 

The zinc oxide in our chalk products is absorbed through the skin or the pores on the palm of your hands. The Zinc then enters your body and takes action immediately, aiding in regenerating skin cells and damaged tissue on your hands or anywhere else. Resulting in the skin that is not only strong but that heals more quickly so you can be active longer and more often.

The study's full findings can be found here.

Gulson B;McCall M;Korsch M;Gomez L;Casey P;Oytam Y;Taylor A;McCulloch M;Trotter J;Kinsley L;Greenoak G; (n.d.). Small amounts of Zinc from zinc oxide particles in sunscreens applied outdoors are absorbed through human skin. Toxicological sciences : an official journal of the Society of Toxicology.