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What is the effect of birch tar on the skin?

Birch tar
Birch tar, which is known to us as a not very friendly preparation, also has its healing properties. It is especially recommended for use on the skin. This is what it can heal of serious ailments. Its smell does not suit many people - for me, it's ok.


What is birch tar?

Birch tar is the product of dry distillation of pine, birch or beech bark. The form of the product is not very appealing, birch tar is a dark brown, viscous liquid. It has been used for a long time, among others, to impregnate wood, repel bugs or in combination with honey - as a universal medicine.

Today we discover its healing properties, mainly for the skin. It turns out that the birch tar has keratolytic, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is used to eliminate problems such as:

  • Deep wrinkles
  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Hair loss
  • Ringworn
  • Psoriasis
  • Acne

Birch tar has different properties depending on their origin

  1. Pine and beech tars have local anesthetic and antiparasitic properties. They are capable of destroying tuberculosis bacteria. They are excellent for dealing with ulcers and seborrhea.
  2. Juniper tar heals acne, impetigo and pimples caused by mites.
  3. Birch tar has anti-inflammatory and keratolytic properties.
  4. Coal (mineral) tar exfoliates, facilitates the flow of pus and has an analgesic effect.

Birch tar in reasonable doses can minimize hair loss and help treat dermatological problems, but its use is not entirely without defects. A lot of people used to wash the hair shampoo of a Polytar shampoo that was withdrawn from sale. Similar preparations are offered by Biosphere (Ukrainian production) and they contain a lot of birch tar.

Contraindications for use

Liquid tar, available at pharmacies, can be added to creams, masks, soaps and lotions. However, their content in no case may exceed 20% of the cosmetic's composition. In too high concentrations, birch tar could lead to accelerated death of skin tissues. The same precautions must be taken with regard to the duration of use of the substance. Prolonged contact of birch tar with the skin may lead to irritation, inflammation of the hair follicles, and when used during pregnancy, they are teratogenic (they damage the fetus). It is also inadvisable to use it during pregnancy, as the compounds contained in birch tar penetrate into milk and lubricate the genitals and the anus area (risk of cancer). When using birch tar preparations, remember that it has a photosensitizing effect, so it is necessary to protect the skin against UV radiation during the treatment.

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