Brief Overview: MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is an odorless derivative of DMSO. Like DMSO, it is a featherweight molecule with the ability to easily penetrate your skin and underlying tissue; therefore, as Dr. Jacob explains, "...it is extremely useful when employed as a topical gel, cream, or lotion." Unlike DMSO, it cannot transport other substances into the skin with it. It has similar capabilities of providing relief from pain, inflammation, allergies, and is a popular nutritional supplement. Like DMSO, it is virtually non-toxic. The LD50 of your table salt is 2.5 to 3g/kg. The LD50 of MSM is more than 20g/kg... so is water. MSM is as toxic as water.

MSM's Development: As head of a transplant department, Dr. Jacob came across a British research paper about various chemical compounds used to freeze live red blood cells, one of which was DMSO. Oddly, DMSO freezes solid at 68 Degrees F, but is not cold to the touch. He learned DMSO was produced by a paper-making company. He contacted the company and he and their chemist, Robert Herschler, began researching the activity of DMSO. They noted that in plants and trees DMSO moved through tissues and carried other substances with it. They then tested animals and found the same to be true. They not only noted its ability to carry medications through the skin, but its potent pain-reduction and anti-inflammatory properties (for instance, when applied over an acute ankle sprain, they could see the swelling resolved in an hour). Dr. Jacob then became interested in its odorless metabolite, MSM, and subsequently developed MSM and was the first physician to use it in the treatment of patients.

I'm trying to break this down to be as simple as possible, so please don't think I am insulting your intelligence; just trying to thoroughly explain stuff... you don't get my emails! OK... when you have any sort of affliction, disease, illness, whatever, in your body, it is because your cells are not functioning correctly. If your cells are not functioning correctly, the cell membranes are not allowing healthy stuff in and not allowing toxins out. What DMSO and MSM do that other substances can't do (at least not without a bunch of negative side-effects) is they easily penetrate the cell membranes and force those damaged cells to do what they ordinarily would not do... allow good stuff in and bad stuff out. OK, so... in essence they are (by non-toxic means) forcing these cells to function like healthy cells. Not only that, let's talk elemetary chemistry real quick: The Sulfur Pole has a strong Negative Charge, and the Oxygen Pole a strong Positive Charge. This enables them to attach very easily to damaged charged molecules (free radicals) that are basically eating away at your body like rust, and flush them out of your system. So you have DMSO & MSM, easily passing through your tissues, at extremely rapid rates, scavenging for free radicals and peeing and crapping them out. Does this all kind of make sense? OK, then don't email me! Just kidding. :)

Sulfur is the third most abundant ingredient in your body. It is in every cell. Sulfur is called Nature's Beauty Mineral. It keeps your hair glossy and smooth and your complexion clear and youthful. You know when you burn a strand of hair -- that strong smell is Sulfur. OK, just a little more chemistry: Because of the strong Positive and Negative Charge of the Poles of these molecules, they enable Sulfur-to-Sulfur Bonds to be more strengthened. In other words, your hair, your skin, your nails... the sulfur bonds are stronger... that is why MSM and DMSO makes them look better and grow stronger and longer. Speaking specifically about the DMSO molecule, it has an exceptionally strong bond. In fact, DMSO-to-Water Bonds are stronger than Water-to-Water Bonds. It truly is a mysterious substance. Many believe it heals you simply because you are mostly water.

In terms of Scars, everyone is different. Two people can get the same cut and end up with varying degrees of scarring afterward. Why this happens is not completely known, but one factor appears to be a process called "cross-linking." Abnormal increases in cross-linking increases the bulk of a scar. MSM normalizes the cross-linking process, which Dr. Jacob explains, "...was determined in laboratory experiments. The practical effect of this is that when MSM is taken orally as a supplement and/or use as a gel or a lotion topically it helps lessen scar formation and reduces the potential for pain. MSM does not eliminate scarring, but it helps, and even many years after the formation of a scar, it may alter scar tissue in a positive manner." For Surgeries, Dr. Jacob gives this advice, "For best results, start taking MSM before surgery and continue afterward. Once the dressing comes off and the wound is closed, apply topical MSM to the affected site." On the subject of Stretch Marks, he states, "MSM may also lessen the prominence of stretch marks. Start using it right after childbirth. The marks won't disappear, but you should start seeing a reduction within two months." For Keloids, he offers this, "MSM gradually softens and reduces such heavy scar tissues and makes them less prominent. If you put MSM to use for this purpose, be patient. The reduction process can takes (sic) months and even years, and will not completely remove the scar." In response to women calling his office excitedly remarking how their Wrinkles "vanished" he says, "...MSM does a lot of good things for the body but there is no evidence that it erases wrinkles. Many women observe that it makes their skin softer. This effect probably also softens the wrinkle lines." Dr. Jacob later quotes a make-up artist, Liz Miners of Ontario's Lizanne's Hairdressing Salon, who offers this advice, "Cleanse your face as normal, then rub in some of the lotion. It helps the makeup go on smoother. You see softer, more pliable skin. Dry, scaly skin becomes more supple. Some people notice the change right away. For others, with bad skin conditions, it may take a while." Miners also recommends using the lotion twice a day and taking a teaspoon of crystals in an ounce of water twice a day.
Source: The Miracle of MSM: The Natural Solution For Pain, by Stanley W. Jacob, M.D., Ronald M. Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D., and Martin Zucker (pp. 218-222)

Now, DMSO and Skin are inextricably linked. As Dr. Morton Walker explains, "Administered in any manner, DMSO is absorbed and enters the blood stream by way of the skin capillaries. These tiny blood vessels distribute it into the circulatory system so that it enters tissues throughout the body." In a discussion of Scars, he states, "A concentration of 50 to 80 percent put on two to three times a day will flatten the raised scar after several months. Microscopic changes seen in the skin will show loosening of collagen bundles." Through repeated topical application, DMSO will flatten raised scars. Regarding Acne, he states, "It could also aid in reducing scarring from chronic acne." In reference to Keloids, he offers, "In one study of ten people with keloids, applying up to 80 percent DMSO a couple of times a day induced scar flattening with loosening of the collagen surrounding the fibrous bundles. DMSO may be useful in preventing adhesions secondary to previous surgery. This would be accomplished by instilling a dilute solution of DMSO in the abdominal cavity at the time of surgery. More research needs to be done on this. Thus, DMSO reduces, dissolves, or prevents the formation of scar tissue, a feature in Burns as well. It prevents the contracture of the scar tissue left after burns."
Source: DMSO: Nature's Healer, by Dr. Morton Walker (pp. 41, 57, 77)