Tar is a product of pyrolysis (distillation) of wood, oily to the touch, dark brown or bluish in color. It contains volatile, xylene, cresol, phenol, organic acids, as well as resin, and is a natural antiseptic. Tar is produced from birch bark under the name “birch resin” or “Russian oil”.
Since ancient times, the tool has been used to solve many problems from shoe polishing, lubricating parts, to treating skin diseases. Today it is used mainly as an additive to soap and shampoo. Tar soap has a specific, pungent odor, but it is still difficult to find a replacement, because it can be used for medicinal purposes, it is part of the ointments of Vishnevsky, Konkov, Wilkinson. In the article I will talk about the benefits that can be derived from this product, and also focus on contraindications.
Useful properties of tar soap
This product has a positive effect not only on the condition of the skin, but also on the hair, although the list of advantages is much wider.
- Helps to get rid of skin rashes in the treatment of psoriasis.
- Used to get rid of lice.
- Widely used in cosmetology.
- Heals wounds.
- It can be used to eliminate pressure sores, helps with frostbite or burns.
- Used for the treatment and prevention of fungal diseases.
- It has a detox effect.
- Solves delicate women's health issues.
This is not all the pluses. Below I will talk in more detail about the properties of this natural and beneficial substance.
Harm and contraindications
Like any other drug, it has a number of contraindications, and can be harmful if used improperly. It is important to know the nuances of the application, so as not to harm, but to derive maximum benefit.
- If you are using tar soap for the first time, watch your sensations. A slight burning is allowed, but intense itching should be a signal to stop all procedures.
- It can cause peeling of the skin, so those who naturally have dry skin should use it locally and in limited quantities.
In most cases, soap does not cause severe harm, so you can use it and not worry about the occurrence of serious side complications.
How to apply tar soap
Soap is perfect for eliminating inflammation and for improving blood circulation. It activates the regeneration of cells, has an exfoliating, whitening effect. It can be used for the following problems:
- For the treatment of scabies, leprosy, normalization of the sebaceous glands, scar reduction, narrowing of enlarged pores, face whitening. They can wash themselves, make lotions and compresses, peels.
- To restore the integrity of the epidermis of the scalp. Reduce the release of sebum, remove dandruff, restore and restore vitality to curls, improve hair growth, lighten the tone of colored hair. To wash your hair, it is better to use a soap solution that is washed off with warm water.
- For intimate hygiene. Allows you to protect sensitive mucous membranes and the vagina from fungi and bacteria, eliminates thrush. Recommended use no more than twice a week. To enhance the effect will help herbal decoctions.
- For acne, a point mask is used: for cooking, you need to scrape off a little soap from the bar and apply a small amount to the pimples. Do the procedure at home half an hour before bedtime. The mask is washed off with warm water.The result is noticeable in the morning: pimples either disappear or decrease significantly. The mask is made until the skin is completely cleansed of rashes. It can also be used for acne on the back.
- Helps eliminate licebut not a panacea, as nits do not disappear. Moreover, other lice preparations. It will be effective only with prolonged contact with lice - at least 40 minutes a day.
- With psoriasis relieves inflammation and restores the skin, has a disinfecting effect.
- At nail fungus disinfects, relieves inflammation, stops itching and helps restore the nail plates and skin. It can be used to cleanse, make lotions and compresses for fungus.
Use in cosmetology
Beauticians do not recommend constantly washing with tar soap for the reason that its components contain substances that dry the skin. This, of course, is harmful and breaks between courses are necessary: we use 14 days and rest for 10 days.
If you wash yourself with soap based on birch tar and at the same time feel tight, apply a moisturizer.
For hair, cosmetologists recommend using tar-based shampoos, but their effectiveness is lower. The shampoo is applied as follows: spread over the hair with massage movements and hold for several minutes. Then the soap base is washed off with warm water. Curls damaged by curling or staining acquire a second life. Apply tar tar shampoo or soap 2-3 times a week, until you see the result.
Opinion and reviews of doctors
You can use tar soap for preventive purposes and without consulting a doctor. But with the appearance of skin diseases, be sure to consult a doctor for examination and diagnosis. Self-treatment can be insufficiently effective and long-term, which in some cases is unacceptable due to the infectious nature of the disease.
Doctors say that tar-based soap is not the key to solving all problems, but only one of the components to achieve a therapeutic effect.
Useful information and tips
Those who at least once in their life held tar soap in their hands, note the presence of a sharp, unpleasant odor and the appearance of dry skin. But these unpleasant moments can be minimized with proper use.
Soap should be stored in a closed-type soap dish to prevent sagging and spread of odor.
There are many varieties of tar-based products in stores and most of them have chemical additives. Be careful before buying, and read the information on the packaging.
Tar soap is a cosmetic product rather than a medication; therefore, it is used in complex therapy for medicinal purposes.
The effectiveness of soap is proven by time. It is used to solve dermatological problems, get rid of lice, eliminate thrush and nail fungus. The main thing is timeliness. So, some people, knowing about their predisposition to pustular rashes, carry out systematic prophylaxis to prevent skin problems. Before use, it is better to consult a doctor who will prescribe additional procedures to achieve a quick effect.
