One of the worst problems with acne is that if you are not careful you can be left with scarring. Acne scarring can make you feel so self-conscious and lacking in confidence that it can prevent you from having a happy and fulfilled life.
Many of the treatments available to get rid of acne scars involve invasive surgical treatments. However, if there is a treatment that is 100% natural, has no known side effects and has been scientifically proven to successfully heal wounds and scars you'd want to know about it. Well, there is and it's Manuka Honey.
We all know that honey is great addition to toast, cereals and drinks, but did you know that it has long been used for its ability to fight infections. It's only recently, however, that scientific studies have shown that Manuka Honey is effective in treating acne scars and other wounds. We will look at where Manuka Honey comes from, why it works, the best type to use and finally, how to apply it.
Where does Manuka Honey come from?
Manuka honey comes from the Manuka tree (Leptospermum scoparium), a native tree that grows wild in New Zealand.
Why does Manuka honey work?
Manuka honey contains amino acids, vitamins and minerals which help to inhibit bacteria, heal wounds and promote new tissue growth. For example, Vitamin C is essential for the maintenance of healthy skin because of its role in the formation of collagen. Manuka Honey also creates a protective barrier over the newly growing tissue to protect against infection.
What's the best Manuka honey?
The best type of Manuka Honey is the one that is marked as Active. Active Manuka honey works because of its UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) that refers to the potency of the antibacterial activity of the honey. The higher the UMF factor, the more powerful and stable the antibacterial properties are.
Here are some important points to watch out for when choosing the best Manuka honey
To ensure that it is genuine UMF Manuka honey, check that the name UMF is stated clearly on front of the jar.
• It should have the New Zealand UMF Licensee’s brand name and license number on the front label.
It should have a UMF rating of 10 or higher. If the UMF ratings are under 10 there is very low levels of activity, whilst more use levels are foun in ratings of 10-15, and even better are ratings of over 16.
Active Manuka Honey can be bought in any good health food store.
How do you apply Manuka Honey?
By applying the honey directly onto the scars, leaving for as long as possible, you will help get rid of the scarring. It may seem a little strange to put honey on your face, but by applying the Manuka Honey twice daily you should start seeing the results within a few days.
You might not want to walk around with honey on your face during the day, so can you put a good amount of honey on a sterile dressing, place it over your scars and leave overnight. Before applying the dressing make sure that you was the affected area in order to prevent infections.
Now that you know the wonderful benefits of Manuka honey, you don't have to put up with horrible and unsightly acne scars.
If you would like to know more about acne scar treatment or treating acne cysts then visit my Clear Skin Guide website.
