Vaseline and skin tanning

Vaseline is known as the popular brand of petroleum jelly, but it is the opposite of other forms of petroleum.

It is safe to use on your skin and hands, and can also be used as a face moisturizer.

You should know a few things about how to use it.

Therefore, the dermatologists at Nadhara Skin, Cosmetic and Laser Center in Hurghada give advice on how to use Vaseline.

In this article, we will learn about the benefits of Vaseline, and some of its possible side effects.

What is Vaseline?

It is a mixture of minerals and wax that forms a semi-solid substance called a gel. This product has not changed much since it was discovered, only some ingredients were added to it to make it its final form.

Vaseline Benefits

The benefits come from the main component of petroleum, which helps seal your skin with a protective barrier of water, helping to retain moisture. Other benefits include:

• Helps heal minor cuts and burns

It is effective in keeping the skin hydrated during recovery after surgery, but be sure to clean the wound and sterilize the skin before applying.

This cleaning step prevents the spread of bacteria and other pathogens that delay the healing process.

• Contributes to moisturizing the skin

You can apply it to the face and body after showering as a moisturizer to prevent the skin from drying out, and it can also be applied to the nose during cold or allergy season.

Helps treat cracked heels, just soak your feet in warm water with a little shower gel, then towel dry them well and apply petroleum jelly, and wear clean cotton socks.

It can also be applied to chapped lips to moisturize them.

• Reduces skin infections

It acts as a protective barrier that helps protect the skin from constant exposure to moisture, thus contributing to the treatment of skin infections.

It can reduce the occurrence of rashes in children.

• Eye make-up removal

Vaseline is an effective way to remove make-up, especially the eye area, and is completely safe.

Use a clean cotton swab, and apply pressure gently without pulling the skin, then make sure to close your eyes while wiping.

• brittle hair treatment

Exposure to the sun, wind and water can dry out hair, it can also reduce the appearance of split ends and add shine to your hair.

Rub a small amount of Vaseline between your hands and apply to the ends of the hair. 

• Prevent skin stains from hair dye and nail polish

If you put Vaseline on the hairline, it prevents the hair dye from staining your skin. This also works if you like nail polish at home. It's easy to wipe off the Vaseline when you're done.

• Preserve the scents of perfume

Using Vaseline as a base for your perfume can help it last longer.

You can also read : The importance of using sunscreen.

Vaseline and skin tanning

You can use Vaseline among many other uses for tanning the skin, as it helps whether it is using a tanning machine, or self-tanner.

Applying it to areas that tend to dry out helps those areas absorb the tanning product evenly.

It can also be used as a protective cream, preventing stains in the areas where the tanning product is applied.

It intensifies your skin's response to exposure to the sun's UV rays, increasing the effects of exposure in a shorter period of time.

Attracts the rays and focuses them on the skin, which speeds up the production of melanin which gives the skin a darker color than it appears.

Why Is Tanning With Vaseline Harmful?

Tanning with petroleum jelly can cause damage to the skin, as it helps to attract and intensify the sun's rays on the skin, which increases the incidence of sunburn.

Hence the body's immune system starts to react, then sends a rush of blood to the affected area, which is why sunburns look red and irritated.

It also contributes to an increased risk of skin cancer (in severe cases), due to prolonged exposure to UV rays

the sun.

This happens because when the sun's ultraviolet rays come into contact with the skin, it starts elastin (fibers in the skin) in the decomposition, and over time leads to sagging and stretching of the skin.

You can also read : Cracked skin and its causes.

Can Vaseline be mixed with sunscreen?

Vaseline creates a protective film on the skin, which prevents sunscreen from being able to form a film on the skin.

It also helps break down the chemical compounds in sunscreen, making it less effective.

Thus, there is no need to mix Vaseline with sunscreen.

Vaseline and the treatment of chronic skin diseases

Contributes to the treatment of some skin diseases such as:

• rosacea inflammation

It is a skin condition whose symptoms differ from one patient to another, but the use of Vaseline contributes to its treatment as it reduces the redness resulting from this condition and helps in healing.

• psoriasis

Psoriasis flare-ups can occur if your skin is dry, and applying petroleum jelly to the affected areas is a good option to treat and prevent symptoms from getting worse.

• aging

It increases the regulation of peptides on the surface of the skin, so it helps to slow the appearance of stretch marks in the skin, and signs of aging.

You can also read : Causes and treatment of dark circles.

Is Vaseline used to treat acne?

Dermatologists at the Freshness Center for Dermatology, Cosmetology and Laser in Hurghada advise against using Vaseline to treat acne.

Its use can lead to the spread of pimples and increased skin infections.

You can treat acne in a laser rejuvenation center by passing light on the place where the pimples appear, which causes the destruction of damaged skin cells.

This contributes to reducing melanin, which causes increased secretion to the appearance of spots and traces Acne.

Vaseline disadvantages and disadvantages

Despite its many benefits, it has some potential side effects, including:

• Allergic reaction if used on the face, especially if you are allergic to petroleum products.

• It does not work alone to moisturize the skin, but a good moisturizer for the skin must be used.

• It locks in moisture and dirt on the skin, so a skin-cleansing lotion should be used before applying it.

• The skin takes a lot of time to absorb into the layers of the skin, compared to other skin products.

If you want to know more about the benefits of Vaseline, and other alternative ways to tan and get an attractive bronze color, you should consult dermatologists at the Freshness Center for Dermatology, Cosmetics and Laser in Hurghada.