I remember the first time I was stung by a bee.
It wasn’t fun.
So would you believe me if I told you that people are getting stung on purpose?
And, did you know that companies are adding bee venom to their skincare products?
This ingredient is trending for its reported skin and health benefits.
Bees have their place in nature – do they really bee-long on our skin?
(I’m actually very excited to write this blog because of all the opportunities for puns.)
Is using honeybee venom a safe practice?
Does it actually yield benefits?
Keep on reading to find out what all the buzz is about!
The Buzz on Bees
Honeybees aren’t native to North America; they were brought here by European settlers in the year 1622.
Studies have revealed that honeybees originate from Asia.
Beekeeping is actually a lucrative business and a popular hobby.
Whether you’re afraid of bees or downright hate them, I think we can all agree that we need them!
(But I’m not a fan of getting stung or when they fly by my ear – the “buzz” makes my skin crawl!)
We couldn’t live without them as they pollinate our crops, and honey has proven its worth time and time again.
There have been reports that honeybee populations have been dying off at rapid rates; other reports state that honeybees have put wild bees on the endangered species list.
Either way, this has gotten the attention of lawmakers. who have stressed the importance of bees to our agriculture.
I think if we take care of bees, they’ll take care of us!
What is Honeybee Venom?
Bee venom, AKA apitoxin, is a bitter, colorless liquid extracted from the stingers of honey bees.
This venom is also why you feel pain when you’ve been stung and causes allergic reactions.
It’s made of a potent combination of enzymes, peptides, and amino acids – and if you’ve read my blog before, you know that these also serve as skincare ingredients.
Melittin, the main protein found in the liquid, has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral effects.
When it’s added to creams, masks, or a lip serum as a cosmetic ingredient, your skin can be tricked into thinking it’s been stung.
This causes an increase in blood circulation and stimulates collagen and elastin production.
As a result, skin is plumped, tightened, and firmed, and fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed temporarily.
And, since the venom is anaphylactic, the facial muscles are relaxed.
These effects are why bee venom is being described as a “temporary natural Botox” (AKA “Bee-tox”).
One study found an improvement in the appearance of wrinkles with topical application of skincare products with honeybee venom.
Some people have also reported that the liquid can help with painful, inflamed, cystic pimples beneath the surface of the skin because of its ability to help damaged skin cells.
Side note: Many products will not tell you that amount of venom used but it is usually less than 1 percent.
What is Apitherapy?
Kate Middleton and Gwyneth Paltrow brought apitherapy into the spotlight a few years ago, but it was originally practiced in ancient Egypt, Greece, and China.
The practice of apitherapy refers to using different bee-produced products for overall health, including honey, pollen, propolis, and beeswax.
These products can be combined together and mixed with other ingredients, like essential oils.
However, it’s probably best known for people intentionally stinging themselves, and this is a growing trend in homeopathic medicine.
It’s said to help manage the following medical conditions:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Arthritis
- Gout
- Shingles
- Tendonitis
Additionally, there have also been claims that apitherapy can help reduce morning stiffness and relieve swollen and tender joints by stimulating an immune response.
Obviously, there are some side effects to being stung, including pain, itching, swelling, inflammation, and redness.
People undergoing apitherapy may be stung as much as 80 times in one day!
The price tag on this beauty procedure ranges from $150 to $350.
Depending on the condition being treated, some people do it weekly!
Also read How to Exfoliate
