The healing powers of petroleum jelly

MANILA, Philippines - Recent studies confirm that petroleum jelly speeds up healing of wounds including cuts, surgeries, and scrapes. A study in Dermatologic Surgery found that petroleum jelly has better wound-healing effect over newly discovered wound-healing ointment, onion extract gel.

Leading local petroleum jelly brand Apollo supports the study’s findings, as the healing feature of petroleum jelly mainly comes from its consistency, which acts as a protective shield against dirt and germs that can breed on open wounds.

“Petroleum jelly hastens wound healing because of its nature. When applied to fresh wound, the wound is protected from germs and dirt that could delay of the wound’s healing,” says Toni Samson, Apollo brand manager. “In addition, hospitals have been using petroleum jelly for years to address patients with wounds, cuts, or surgical marks.”

Healthcare professionals administer gauzes with petroleum jelly to patients’ wounds and burns to protect the area of the damaged skin and speed up recovery. Studies over the last 40 years have attested to the healing characteristic of petroleum jelly. In 1972, a study from the University of Kentucky revealed that it helps close open wounds 10 days after continuous application.

Petroleum jelly has been known in the medical field as a multi-purpose product that has uses other than for healing wounds and other injuries.

“Petroleum jelly is not only for faster recovery of wounds or burns; it can also be used to moisturize the skin, remove diaper rash, and even remove makeup. It has many varied uses, which is why it is recommended that every household should always have one in their medicine cabinet,” Samson points out.