Honey

Wound healing

In February 2013, Jull published a review of 25 randomized and quasirandomized trials evaluating honey in the treatment of acute or chronic wounds, finding that honey might delay healing in partial- and full-thickness burns, compared with early excision and grafting, but it does not significantly enhance healing of chronic venous leg ulcers. They suggested that while honey may prove to be more effective than some conventional dressings for such ulcers, evidence is currently insufficient to support this claim ( Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 2013;2:CD005083). Later that year, Vandamme et al. identified 55 studies in a literature review suggesting that honey stimulates healing of burns, ulcers, and other wounds. They also found, despite some methodologic concerns, that honey exerts antibacterial activity in burn treatment and deodorizing, debridement, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activity ( Burns 2013;39:1514-25).

Conclusion

Honey has a long history of traditional medicinal use and has been found to display significant biologic activity, including antibacterial, antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antibrowning, and antiviral. The antibacterial properties of honey are particularly compelling. While more research, in the form of randomized, controlled trials, is needed prior to incorporating bee products into the dermatologic armamentarium as first-line therapies, the potential of honey usage for skin care is promising.

Dr. Baumann is chief executive officer of the Baumann Cosmetic & Research Institute in Miami Beach. She founded the cosmetic dermatology center at the University of Miami in 1997. Dr. Baumann wrote the textbook “Cosmetic Dermatology: Principles and Practice” (McGraw-Hill, April 2002), and a book for consumers, “The Skin Type Solution” (Bantam, 2006). She has contributed to the Cosmeceutical Critique column in Skin & Allergy News since January 2001. Dr. Baumann has received funding for clinical grants from Allergan, Aveeno, Avon Products, Galderma, Mary Kay, Medicis Pharmaceuticals, Neutrogena, Philosophy, Stiefel, Topix Pharmaceuticals, and Unilever.