Venom in bee stings keeps skin young Being stung by a bee to make you look younger?It may not sound appealing, but the poison is being hailed as miracle anti-ageing treatment.Scientists have discovered it can boost collagen - which gives skin its youthful elasticity and make it less susceptible to sun damage.
Face masks containing bee venom have been a celebrity fad for years available only in salons and spas.
Now the first skincare range containing it is to hit the high street after 12 years of research.
The new range has been devised by Korean scientist Dr Sang Mi Han for the New Zealand beauty company Manuka Doctor which will be stocked at Holland & Barrett shops from Monday.
The company claim it is ‘the next best alternative to botox – in a jar.’
It was revealed last year that Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall had a £55 bee venom facial treatment at a salon, and Dannii Minogue is also said to be a fan.
Previously only available as an exclusive salon treatment, the new range of five products starts at £16.99 for the facial moisturiser and foaming cleanser, £18.99 for skin treatment serum, £24.99 for repairing skin cream, and £49.99 for a rejuvenating face mask.
The products are said to have a ‘gentle tingling’ effect on the skin. They apparently fool the body into thinking it has been stung, which causes it to direct blood towards the affected area and stimulates the production of the naturally-occurring chemicals collagen and elastin which keep the skin taut.
Dr Han, a researcher at South Korea’s National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, has published research suggesting it may also boost the number of cells called keratinocytes which act as a barrier against environmental factors such as bacteria, water loss and sun damage.
Keratinocyte are cells in the top layer of the skin which are needed to keep us looking youthful but as we age skin cell numbers decrease leading to a reduction in skin elasticity and the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Purified Bee Venom has been proven to increase keratinocyte numbers, in turn improving skin elasticity.
‘Exposure to the sun is one of the main causes of wrinkles because UV light increases levels of proteins which are responsible for the degradation of collagen in the skin. This is what leaves it lacking in elasticity, sagging ad wrinkling as we age.’
And there is no fear as none of the bees are harmed in any of the as the venom is collected using a special device which keeps the bees unharmed.
A Holland and Barrett spokesman explained: 'Venom is extracted from the bees using a safe process that ensures the bee's lifespan, wellbeing and performance are not affected.
'A special glass surface (known as the collector) is placed alongside the gate of the hive and a weak electrical current is run through it, which encourages the bees to gently sting the class.
'Because the bees are stinging a surface they cannot penetrate their abdomens remain intact – so they don’t die and remain unharmed.
'The bee venom is then dried, harvested and purified to remove any unwanted impurities such a soil, dust or pollen.'
Bee venom has been used in medical applications since ancient times. It also contains a protein called Apamin which relaxes the muscles and is used in an arthritis treatment called apitherapy, and to relieve the symptoms of muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis.