Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall is said to be a fan of bee venom products
Being stung by a bee is not the most comfortable thing in world - but would you consider it, if it made you look younger?
The poison in bee stings is being hailed as an effective anti-ageing treatment that boosts collagen and makes the skin susceptible to skin damage.
Face masks containing bee venom have been a celebrity fad for years available only in salons and spas.
Now, after 12 years of research, a new range containing it is expected to hit the high street - and will no doubt sell out as soon as it hits the shelves.
The new range has been devised by Korean scientist Dr Sang Mi Han for the New Zealan beauty company Manuka Doctor which will be stocked at Holland & Barrett shops from this week.
Cammilla, the Duchess of Cornwall and Dannii Minogue are said to be fans of products containing bee venom, which has a 'gentle tingling' effect on the skin. This is because it fools the body into thinking it has been stung, so it directs blood to the affected area and stimulates the production of chemicals collagen and elastin which keep the skin taut.
Dr Han says: "I have done extensive research and clinical trials which prove that purified bee venom can help with collagen formation and prevent sun damage.
"Exposure to the sun is one of the main causes of wrinkles because UV light increases levels of proteins which are responsible for the degradation of collagen in the skin. This is what leaves it lacking in elasticity, sagging and wrinkling as we age."
The range uses venom in the form of a light brown powder, which can be taken from whole hives of bees using a special collection device which they say does not harm them.
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