POLYBALM NATURAL NAIL REMEDY "Relief for chemotherapy induced nail damage" 

How to use Polybalm

Polybalm can be used by anyone who is interested in having healthy strong nails. It is made with only natural ingredients which are known to have moisturising, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. In the scientific study, there were no reported adverse event so we believe it is safe for anyone, unless you have an allergy to one of the ingredients.

Polybalm is not a quick fix remedy – in the trial over a 3-6 month course of chemotherapy it significantly reduced damage, nail distress and improved quality of life in the majority of users. For the general population, benefits will only be seen after several weeks use as the nails grow slowly so improvements to the health of the nail bed will only be recognised when the nails grow.

HOW BEST TO USE POLYBALM:

Preparation:

Use by dates: The balm has no preservatives, which are not needed if sealed hence the 3 year shelf life. Once you start using it, however, we recommend it is discarded after 3 months, especially if you are receiving chemotherapy and likely to have periods of lower immunity.

Consistency: Like all oils and waxes polybalm is influences by ambient temperatures. If too hot the balm can be a little too runny (in this case consider cooling in a fridge before use. If too cold it may be a little difficult to remove from the tube (in this case warm in your pocket or next to your skin).

Removing from the tube: The applicator needs to be rotated to the sides of the tube to apply the balm to its tip – as in the instructional video. If this is proving difficult after a weeks or so warm the tube slightly and give a good stir.

Hands and feet: We recommend you keep one tube for the nails on the hand and the other for the nails on the feet. Although the balm has natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, this would provide even greater precaution against cross infection.

Using the balm:

Applying to the nails: Use the central applicator to massage the balm into the skin at the base of the nail and around the cuticle. You can also use the applicator to push the dead skin on the nail back into the cuticle. Massage into the cuticle would help the distribution of the oils into the tissues. Leave on for one minute then remove excess with a cloth or rinse hand in warm water,  then dry.

How often should it be used: The original trial recommended its application three times a day. Patients on chemotherapy also used it more often if they wished – there is no upper limit. They reapplied before a shower (without wiping off first) and topped up after washing dishes or swimming. It is particularly important to use after nail varnish remover is used. For men and women with psoriasis we would recommend the same frequency.

Allergy: In the original trial there was no case of allergy but in unexpected redness does occur – discontinue use.

During chemotherapy: We recommend other precautions are used to help the nails during therapy (see advice page). In the trial some people still had problems with their nails but the trial clearly demonstrated less people had problems, the severity of damage was less which resulted in a significantly better quality of life.

General use: As polybalm significantly helps the nails under the extreme stress of chemotherapy it is very likely to help the stress and attach on the nails in everyday life. We recommend, in this situation it is used before a bath or shower, after using nail polish remover and once or twice a day.

Polybalm is the only naturalnail remedy to be scientifically designed, prepared and evaluated in a majorgovernment backed randomized controlled trial (RCT). It contains rareplant-based waxes and biologically active essential oils which have been delicatelyprepared to preserve their rich polyphenolic compounds with no potentialirritants such as preservatives, colours, parabens, sulphates or petroleum. Itis designed to be used along side general nail health strategies

The trial, the largest of its kind everconducted, involved patients receiving chemotherapy. At the end of the 2 years,researchers reported a profound reduction of chemo induced nail damage and amajor improvement in nail related quality of life. The results were announcedto the World, at the prestigious American Society of Clinical Oncologyconference, Chicago,June 2017. – See trial results

About Polybalm

Polybalm is named after a National UKScientific study, and is short for polyphenol rich natural balm. It wasdesigned by an expert panel of oncologists and dermatologists from one ofCambridge University Hospitals together with cosmetic, biological and naturalscientists from Coventry and London Universitiesin conjunction  with the  National Cancer Research Institute’slifestyle and behavioural change committee – more about the trialdesign

Following a review of several hundredpotential candidates the four oils and four bases were selected for theirindividual properties and synergy with each other.  The basescontained cold pressed extra virgin olive oil, organic beeswax, unrefined cocoabutter and unrefined organic shea butter. The essential oils includedGaultheria procumbens, lavandula officinalis, eucalyptus globulus,tarchonanthus camphorates. All meticulously prepared and mixed to preservetheir natural health properties. – Read the scientific properties of theseingredients.

How could this balm help yournails?:

The waxes and oils in polybalm areparticularly rich in phytochemical especially the phenolic polyphenols group.In addition to they basic abilities to mosturizing the skin and prevent drying,splitting or cracking of the nail, they are known to have anti-inflammatory andanti-oxidant properties. It was hypothesised, for the polybalm trial, that oilswith these properties, applied locally to the nail bed, would be sufficientabsorption to act as a local antidote to the chemotherapy, preventing damage tothe proliferating stem cells. In addition, their anti-microbial propertieswould help prevent secondary infection so overall keeping the nail healthy andintact. – see trial results

Typical nail damage after 3-6 months chemo in the studyplacebo:

Questions and answers about PolyBalm

If you have a question which is notanswered below please do not hesitate to contact us via the contacts page

Q. What are the ingredients of polybalm?: A. The bases contained cold pressed extravirgin olive oil, organic beeswax, unrefined cocoa butter and unrefined organicshea butter. The essential oils included Gaultheria procumbens, lavandulaofficinalis, eucalyptus globulus, tarchonanthus camphoratus – the fullscientific summary of their properties can be viewed on the formal trialswebsite.

Q. Are there any man made ingredients?: A. Polybalm contains absolutely no man madeirritants such as, preservatives, colours, parabens, sulphates or petroleum.

Q. Why are there two tubes in one box? A. We do not feel it is sensible to usethe same applicator on hands and the feet, which has more chance of fungalinfections. Using separate tubes reduces the risk of cross infection.

Q. After a week or so it is moredifficult to get the balm out of the tube? A. We suggest warming the tube gently – perhaps keeping inyour pocket or close ego your skin for a while, or place in some warm water andstir the applicator around

Q. When should Polybalm be used?; A. Ideally before the start ofchemotherapy then 3-4 times everyday throughout the whole course. If you canmanage every day then certainly the day of chemotherapy and one week afterwards.You can start using it at any stage after chemotherapy even after it hasfinished as we have had reports from users that they felt it has improverecovery rates

Q. Can polybalm be used by people not onchemotherapy? A.Absolutely yes – it has safe natural ingredients. It was highly successful inpreventing nail damage in the extreme situation of chemotherapy so is verylikely to help the trauma on nails on a daily bases.

Q. Can polybalm be used to help psoriasisdamaged nails?: A.The short answer is – we don’t know – the trial did not include patientswith this condition. Based on the back ground research, we believe it would bevery safe to use and would love to here from anyone who has tried it and foundit was helpful.

Polyphenol rich nail remedy.

"Relief for chemotherapy induced nail damage".

Nail disfigurement and pain is common amongst patientsreceiving chemotherapy.  It is caused by damage to proliferating cells inthe nail beds compounded by secondary inflammation and infection.

Polybalm was designed by a team of UK oncologistand herbal scientists.  It harnesses the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatoryand anti-microbial properties of rare plant oils and organic cold pressedwaxes, rich in bioactive moisturising polyphenols.

The scientific evaluation revealed it profoundly kept thenails healthy and strong even during chemotherapy.

POLYBALM NATURAL NAIL REMEDY "Relief for chemotherapyinduced nail damage"