Can Bee Venom Remove Skin Tags?

by Abeeco Expert November 23, 2024

Curious about what you’ve been hearing on social?

Intrigued about what Bee Venom can actually help you with?

A recent article in the Health Magazine – ThiP Media – by Dr Priyamvada helps to set the record straight about a recent facebook video claiming that bee venom application is an effective method for the removal of skin tags.

The caption in the video says:

"Achieve flawless skin with Bee Venom Skin Perfection Spray!!! Easily eliminate skin tags with our natural and powerful formula. No harsh chemicals, just smooth, radiant skin. Get ready to reveal a more perfect version of yourself! Try and embrace your natural beauty today!"

Dr Priyamvada came to the conclusion (as did we) that this is in fact a false claim.

Lets take a look at the reasons why:

What Is Bee Venom, and Why Is It So Popular?

Bee venom, or apitoxin, is a clear, acidic liquid made by honeybees. It’s a fascinating mix of proteins, peptides, and enzymes that can cause pain and inflammation when injected. For centuries, it’s been a key part of apitherapy—a type of alternative medicine that uses bee products—to address issues like arthritis, nerve pain, and multiple sclerosis.

More recently, bee venom has made waves in the skincare world. It’s praised for its ability to promote collagen production, soothe inflammation, and improve skin texture. The idea behind its use in beauty products is that it mimics a mild bee sting, which triggers increased blood flow and stimulates the production of collagen and elastin—two essential proteins for youthful, firm skin. As a result, bee venom has become a go-to ingredient in anti-aging and skin rejuvenation products.

Does Bee Venom Have Medicinal Benefits?

Bee venom is packed with intriguing properties—it’s anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and even antiviral. One of its key components, melittin, has shown promise in reducing inflammation and aiding wound healing. Other compounds like apamin, adolapin, and phospholipase A2 also play a role in its therapeutic potential.

Bee venom therapy (BVT) has been used to manage chronic pain and arthritis for centuries. Modern research is now exploring its effects on conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and even cancer. Despite these promising findings, bee venom’s medical applications are still under investigation, and more research is underway to fully understand its risks and benefits.

Bee venom and bee products such as bee pollen, and honey, have long been used by early medics, indigenous cultures and was favoured by queens for its beautifying and healing qualities; it also features in many original medicinal texts as a heal-all.

A 2019 review highlighted bee venom’s anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, which can be beneficial for treating acne, atopic dermatitis, and wound healing. It even shows potential for reducing signs of aging by stimulating collagen and improving skin texture. However, larger human trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Why Do Skin Tags Form?

Skin tags are small, soft growths that often appear in areas where skin rubs against skin or clothing, like the neck, armpits, or groin. They’re made of loose collagen fibres and blood vessels covered by skin. Skin tags tend to develop more as we age, and from a naturopathic perspective they can also be a sign of blood sugar imbalance.