Fact Check: Can papaya peel remove burn marks in 3 days?

An Instagram post claims that papaya peel can remove burn marks in 3 days. The claim is False.

Claim

The reel posted on Instagram claims that "papaya peel can remove burn marks in 3 days". The Instagram user gharelu_tips07 posted a reel which states "If someone has a burn mark on their body, rubbing papaya peel on it removes the mark within 3 days."

The post has 121,234 likes and can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The claim is False. Papaya aids in cleaning burn wounds, removing dead tissue, and supporting healing, but, no study shows that papaya peel can remove burn scars within three days.

What is a burn scar (mark)?

Burn scars can lead to both physical and emotional problems. The two main types are hypertrophic scars, which are thick, raised, red, and sometimes itchy or painful, and contractures, which can tighten the skin and limit movement, especially around joints. These scars can affect how people look, move, and feel, impacting their daily life and mental health. Doctors use tools like the Vancouver Scar Scale to assess scars. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to improve movement or reduce discomfort from scarring.

Health Benefits of Papaya

Carica papaya, commonly known as papaya, belongs to the Caricaceae family and is rich in a wide range of naturally occurring beneficial compounds. These include alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, sugars, glycosides, amino acids, steroids, and an important enzyme called papain. Due to the presence of these bioactive substances, papaya offers several health benefits. It is known for its antioxidant properties, ability to support the healing of wounds, role in managing digestive problems, potential to help reduce anxiety, and possible anti-cancer effects.

Can papaya peel remove burn marks in 3 days?

Papaya offers several nutritional and health benefits, including antioxidant properties, support for wound healing, aid in managing digestive issues, and potential to help reduce anxiety. But, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the claim that papaya peel can remove burn marks within three days.

A review published in the journal Burns Open highlights that papaya helps clean dead tissue from burns, supports healing, helps reduce patient discomfort, and may lessen long-term complications. But the study does not claim that papaya peel can eliminate burn scars within three days.

One study in the Indian Journal of Burns found that papaya pulp works well for cleaning wounds by helping remove dead tissue, even in deep and severe burns, within about 5 to 6 days. The study doesn't indicate that the payaya peel is helpful in removing burn scars, that too in 3 days.

Another study in the Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College concluded that papaya is a safe and natural way to clean deep burn wounds by breaking down dead tissue and helping healthy new skin grow. Again, the study does not say that papaya can remove burn marks in three days.

The studies discussed above recognise the role of papaya in cleaning burn wounds and clearing dead tissue, but none have reported that papaya peel can remove burn scars within three days.

Dr. Ruben Bhasin Passi, Consultant, Dermatologist, CK Birla Hospital Gurugram, told Medical Dialogues "Papaya peel is usually complimented for its natural enzymes such as papain and vitamins A and C, which can be used to softly exfoliate the skin and stimulate cell regeneration. These attributes can potentially lighten small pigmentation or marks over a period of time. It is not, however, possible to expect papaya peel to erase burn marks entirely within three days if the marks are deep or old. Fading and healing of the skin take time and often involve regular maintenance over weeks or even months. Papaya peel treatment might result in some improvement in skin texture or tone early on, but it is no miracle cure. Also, treating sensitive or healing skin with raw fruit peels can occasionally produce irritation or allergic responses. For better and safer outcomes, it is best to seek advice from a dermatologist who may suggest treatments such as topical ointments, chemical peels, or laser therapy depending on the intensity of the burn scars."

Dr Vikrant Choubey, Senior Consultant Dermatologist, Delhi added "Papaya peel contains enzymes like papain, which may promote skin healing and exfoliation. However, there’s no scientific evidence confirming that papaya peel can fully remove burn marks in just three days. Minor burn marks may fade slightly with consistent use due to its moisturizing and regenerative properties, but the safety data on this is lacking. One should avoid relying solely on home remedies for quick results. Scars require medical/surgical treatment and should be treated by a qualified dermatologist."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

While papaya is known for its healing properties, including aiding in wound cleaning and supporting recovery in burn injuries, current studies focus only on its role in removing dead tissue and promoting healthy skin growth. None of the available research supports the claim that papaya peel can remove burn scars within three days.

Hence, the user's claim is False.