Scientists have studied how the skin creates its own "natural plaster" to help heal these injuries. Oil-based substances, such as petroleum jelly, appear to disrupt this important process, and might increase the risk of wound infection, they say in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
To help the injured skin heal, use petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist. Petroleum jelly prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab; wounds with scabs take longer to heal. This will also help prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy.
Studies show that petroleum jelly is just as effective as an antibiotic ointment for non-infected wounds. Don't douse a minor wound with antiseptics like iodine or hydrogen peroxide. They're actually harmful to the skin and can delay healing.
When properly refined, petrolatum has no known health concerns. However, petrolatum is often not fully refined in the US, which means it can be contaminated with toxic chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Continue applying the petroleum jelly until the wound has fully healed. Open wounds heal more slowly. A large wound can take 4 weeks or more to heal. A dressing (e.g. a plaster or gauze & tape) can be applied to protect the wound and keep it clean.
Myth #3: A topical antibiotic cream improves wound healing.
A study comparing white petroleum ointments (such as Vaseline or Aquaphor) with an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin, Neosporin or Bacitracin) showed no significant difference in wound infection rate.
Consumers had no way of knowing if the products containing petroleum were low in carcinogenic PAHs so the EU's “Dangerous Substances Directive” stepped in and banned all products containing petrolatum, aka petroleum jelly unless it was refined properly to remove toxic carcinogens and could prove the refining history.
If the area is not cleaned properly prior to applying petroleum jelly, existing bacteria and fungal spores can easily proliferate and cause secondary infections.
Helps Wounds Heal
That's because it seals water into your skin. That's good for your wounds because they need a moist place to heal. It may take up to twice as long for dry injured skin to get better. This oily moisturizer may also ease the redness of a new scar and lower your chances of infection.
Wounds heal faster if they are kept warm. Try to be quick when changing dressings. Exposing a wound to the open air can drop its temperature and may slow healing for a few hours. Don't use antiseptic creams, washes or sprays on a chronic wound.
Wounds need to be covered so that they can heal properly. When a wound is left uncovered, the new surface cells that are being created can easily dry out. When these important cells dry out, it tends to slow down the healing process. A wound should be covered using a clean bandage.
Petroleum jelly is made from a blend of natural waxes and mineral oils. People often refer in general to petroleum jelly as “Vaseline®”, but the real Vaseline® petroleum jelly is different. The real Vaseline® petroleum jelly is triple purified to remove impurities.
If you hate the bandage, you can go without it, but you must reapply the Vaseline 5-10 times a day, the wound must not dry out. Yes you can Shower: You may wash the site with regular soap and water.
Is Vaseline® Jelly Non-comedogenic? Yes! Vaseline® Jelly is made from 100 percent healing jelly, so – like petroleum jelly – it also doesn't clog pores. (If a product is non-comedogenic, it will not clog or block your pores).
Although there are many misconceptions and myths about this occlusive moisturizer, petrolatum is an FDA-approved skin protectant with a well-established history as a safe and effective cosmetic ingredient. When properly refined, there are no known health concerns associated with the use of petrolatum.
The history of Vaseline® Jelly starts in 1859, when Robert Chesebrough travelled to Titusville, a small town in Pennsylvania. That's where oil workers had been using rod wax, an unrefined form of petroleum jelly – then just a simple by-product of the drilling they were working on – to heal wounded or burnt skin.
Choose products that are free of petroleum jelly - Instead, look for ingredients such as Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter, and Shea Butter that is equally as effective while being kinder to your skin and to the environment.
Answer: Petroleum jelly is made by the waxy petroleum material that formed on oil rigs and distilling it. The lighter and thinner oil-based products make up petroleum jelly, also known as white petrolatum or simply as petrolatum.
To save on skin care, dermatologists recommend using petroleum jelly to: Relieve dry skin, including your lips and eyelids. Dry skin can flake, itch, crack and even bleed. Since ointments are more effective and less irritating than lotions, consider applying petroleum jelly to dry skin, including your lips and eyelids.
You can keep your wound dry by using a cast/wound protector or using Press-N-Seal plastic wrap to cover the wound area then tape a kitchen trash bag over the wound/dressing. If your wound can't be protected, a sponge bath is recommended. 2. Don't clean your wound with soap or chemicals.