When you think of bee stings, pain and swelling might come to mind. While the sting itself causes some discomfort, the real source of the pain is bee venom. Bee venom, also known as apitoxin, is a clear, odorless, acidic liquid produced by worker bees to protect their colonies from predators. Each sting delivers up to 150 micrograms of venom, and while 200-1500 stings can be lethal depending on body weight, diluted and controlled applications of bee venom can be beneficial for the skin. Apitherapy, which involves using honeybee products like propolis, royal jelly, and bee venom for health purposes, has explored bee venom's potential in desensitizing the body to bee allergies and managing chronic pain.
What is Bee Venom?
Bee venom, or apitoxin, is a complex mixture of peptides, enzymes, lipids, and bioactive amines. This acidic liquid is created by special glands in worker bees and serves primarily to defend the colony. A single bee sting releases approximately 150 micrograms of this potent venom.
Bee venom comprises various molecules, including proteins, amino acids, phospholipase A2, and, most notably, melittin, which is its primary component. The use of honeybee-derived substances, like propolis, royal jelly, and bee venom, for health and medical treatments is termed apitherapy. In this field, bee venom has been employed for numerous purposes, ranging from desensitization to bee allergies to the management of chronic pain.
Benefits and Uses of Bee Venom in Skincare
Recent research has deepened the scientific understanding of bee venom's properties, indicating its potential benefits for skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, vitiligo, and acne vulgaris, as well as for reducing signs of aging. High-quality topical products that contain bee venom may offer significant advantages for skin health.
Bee Venom and Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition characterized by itchy, painful, dry, and cracked skin, often accompanied by rashes or small bumps and thickened skin. It commonly appears in skin creases, such as the inner elbows and behind the knees, but can occur on any skin surface.
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A recent Global Burden of Disease Study revealed that up to 20% of children and 10% of adults worldwide experience atopic dermatitis. The exact cause of atopic dermatitis remains unclear, but zinc deficiency may play a role. Studies suggest that topical application of bee venom can alleviate symptoms.
One study involving 136 participants with atopic dermatitis found that those who used an emollient containing bee venom and silk protein experienced less severe symptoms and reduced itching compared to a control group over a four-week period. The study indicated that bee venom may prevent mast cell degranulation, a process in which mast cells release histamine into the bloodstream, contributing to allergic reactions and itching.
Given these findings, bee venom may also be beneficial for other disorders involving mast cells, such as psoriasis.
Bee Venom and Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by the rapid multiplication of skin cells, leading to scaly, itchy, and inflamed patches on the skin, often appearing on the scalp, knees, elbows, or other body areas.
Approximately 4.8% of the population is affected by psoriasis. Research suggests that bee venom can be helpful in improving this condition. A double-blind randomized clinical trial involving 50 patients with recalcitrant localized plaque psoriasis examined the effects of bee venom. Recalcitrant psoriasis is defined as a psoriasis history of at least two years with at least two ineffective anti-psoriasis treatments. Participants were divided into two groups: one receiving bee venom therapy and the other a placebo. Bee venom or a placebo was injected into psoriatic lesions for 12 weeks.
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The study found that 92% of the treatment group experienced complete disappearance of all psoriasis lesions, along with a decrease in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels, a cytokine associated with increased inflammation and cell death. This suggests that bee venom, with its anti-inflammatory properties, may be as potent as curcumin.
Bee Venom and Acne
Acne vulgaris is a prevalent skin condition, especially among teens and young adults, characterized by raised, tender bumps, pus-filled pimples, and blackheads, often accompanied by inflammation and pain.
While certain vitamins, such as high doses of B12 and B6, have been linked to acne, the condition is primarily caused by bacteria, particularly Cutibacterium acnes. Studies suggest that bee venom possesses antibacterial properties that can benefit acne treatment.
A double-blind randomized controlled study examined the effects of bee venom-infused cosmetics on acne. Twelve participants were divided into two groups, with one group receiving cosmetics containing bee venom and the other receiving cosmetics without it for two weeks. The treatment group experienced a reduction in both inflammatory and noninflammatory acne lesions compared to the control group.
Additionally, topical application of tea tree gel may decrease acne due to its antimicrobial properties. Combining bee venom and tea tree in skincare products may offer a powerful defense against acne outbreaks.
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Bee Venom for Youthful Skin
Maintaining youthful, glowing skin becomes more challenging with age due to collagen loss, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
A test-tube study examined the effects of bee venom on human skin cells damaged by ultraviolet radiation, finding that bee venom helped repair cell damage and increase collagen formation.
In a clinical trial, 22 women aged 30-49 used a bee venom cream twice daily for 12 weeks. The study found that the cosmetic reduced the total number and depth of wrinkles.
Snail mucin, a mucus secreted by snails, has shown similar effects on reducing wrinkles and fine lines. Products containing both bee venom and snail mucin may offer a synergistic effect for improving skin texture.
Bee Venom for Wound Healing
Bee venom, with its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, and antioxidant properties, offers significant potential for wound healing. A study on diabetic rats showed that 6% bee venom-chitosan films as topical formulations facilitated rapid, complete, and sterile wound healing, proving compatible with the skin and providing a better anti-inflammatory effect than chitosan film alone. Bee venom treatment notably enhanced wound closure in diabetic mice by increasing collagen and β-defensin-2 (BD-2) expression, along with restoring angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) levels. In diabetic rats, a wound dressing containing 10% polyvinyl alcohol, 0.6% chitosan, and 4% bee venom improved wound healing with anti-inflammatory effects, higher hydroxyproline and glutathione levels, and lower IL-6 levels in wound tissues. In a mouse model, nanofibrous honey, polyvinyl alcohol, and chitosan loaded with bee venom (HPCS-BV) demonstrated bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects on Escherichia coli, comparable to the commercial antibacterial agent Aquacel Ag, and superior antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus.
Bee Venom for Androgenetic Alopecia
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a common chronic skin issue characterized by progressive hair loss, affects both men and women, with the central scalp being most severely impacted. A local administration of 0.01% bee venom improved hair growth in C57BL/6 female mice by reducing 5α-reductase expression, stimulating growth factors, and impeding the catagen process. Bee venom also enhances human dermal papilla cell proliferation compared to a positive control, has anti-inflammatory properties against Propionibacterium acnes, blocks TLR2 expression, and suppresses the production of IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α.
Claims About Bee Venom Benefits
While studies suggest many potential benefits of bee venom, including skincare advantages, some online reviews make unsupported claims. For example, there is growing interest in its potential to help drain the lymphatic system or contribute to weight loss.
The lymphatic system is a complex network of tissues and organs that help move lymph fluid from tissues back into the bloodstream. Lymphatic drainage can be supported by drinking plenty of water, deep belly breathing, exercise, and massage. Some individuals on social media suggest a relationship between bee venom and lymphatic drainage, promoting bee venom patches and products for draining lymph fluid. However, no studies currently support this claim, and further research is needed.
Bee venom patches are also promoted on social media as an easy and effective weight loss method. However, there is no clinical evidence to support the use of bee venom for weight loss or the effectiveness of bee venom weight loss patches.
How to Use Bee Venom for Skin
Bee venom use has evolved from injecting stingers into the skin to incorporating it into creams, serums, and gels to support healthy skin.
The best topical bee venom skincare products are high-quality and contain synergistic ingredients like snail mucin, tea tree, and collagen. This combination of ingredients can help support and maintain healthy, glowing skin.
While injecting bee venom for therapeutic purposes has reported side effects, topical use of the toxin may not have adverse effects. The main side effects associated with topical use include mild itching, pain, and swelling. Individuals with bee allergies should consult a healthcare professional before using bee venom products.
Bee venom is a potent toxin that protects bees from harm and a natural marvel. Its use in treating various diseases and disorders has now extended to skincare. Studies suggest that bee venom may play a role in maintaining healthy skin, addressing conditions from atopic dermatitis and psoriasis to acne and aging.
Incorporating high-quality bee venom skincare products into a well-rounded skincare routine, along with a healthy lifestyle, may help keep skin supple, healthy, and glowing in the years ahead.
Risks and Side Effects
While bee venom has shown potential benefits, it is crucial to be aware of its risks. Bee venom contains substances that can have both positive and adverse health effects. Melittin, comprising about 50% of the venom's dry weight, has antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer effects in mice and in vitro studies. However, bee venom also contains phospholipase A2, an enzyme and major allergen that causes inflammation and cell damage.
Professional supervision is essential for any therapeutic use of bee venom. Potential adverse effects and risks of injected and topical bee venom therapy include:
- Anaphylaxis and sensitization: Bee venom may trigger life-threatening allergic reactions, even in people who have tolerated it before.
- Local adverse reactions: Bee venom injections, including acupuncture applications, may lead to local effects like itching, swelling, pain, and skin irritation. Creams or cosmetics can also cause irritation, edema, itching, rashes, and, in some cases, systemic allergic reactions.
- Severe toxic or neurological reactions: High doses of bee venom may lead to toxicity. Repeated or high-dose applications may cause severe and persistent muscle burning pain, tissue necrosis, and premature destruction of red blood cells.
A 2022 review found that 58 out of 145 trials with bee venom reported adverse health reactions, highlighting the need for caution due to the lack of an antidote and the potential for application by non-medical professionals.
Conclusion
Bee venom is a potent toxin with potential therapeutic and cosmetic applications, primarily due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Both injected and topical applications carry documented risks, with anaphylaxis being the most serious. While research supports its benefits in treating skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, and wrinkles, it is essential to approach bee venom skincare with caution and under professional guidance.