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Severely burnt mum Jane Healy, from Tunbridge Wells, launches Sea Creme moisturiser range

A courageous mum covered almost head-to-toe in burns has created a soothing skin cream - inspired by the sea.

Jane Healy, 56, invented her very own treatment after living with the horrific burns across three quarters of her body since a freak accident turned her into a 'human fireball' aged nine.

Jane was on a camping holiday with her family when the accident left her with burns to 75 per cent of her body.

Below are images some may find distressing

Jane Healy, from Tunbridge Wells, has overcome years of painful skin grafts. Picture: SWNS
Jane Healy, from Tunbridge Wells, has overcome years of painful skin grafts. Picture: SWNS

Aged just nine at the time, she caught fire when a stove on a camp fire blew up in her face.

She was wearing non-fire-retardant pyjamas which melted to her skin, causing the life-changing scars.

She only survived because a quick-thinking neighbour threw a cardboard box over the flames.

But Jane has overcome the trauma and pain of countless skin grafts to launch a new business with her 25-year-old daughter Laura.

Jane as a child, following the accident. Picture: SWNS
Jane as a child, following the accident. Picture: SWNS

The mum-of-one created her moisturiser Sea Crème - a concoction of sea salt, carrot seed oil and beeswax - after realising her scars felt 'softer' following a dip in the sea.

Jane, of Tunbridge Wells, said: "It's been a long journey getting here, and I want to show people there is life after scars.

"As a teen I had no confidence because of my burns, and I don't want others to go through that."

From the age of nine until she was 15, Jane had to undergo numerous skin grafts as she grew.

Jane before she was injured. Picture: SWNS
Jane before she was injured. Picture: SWNS

The mum said: "It was really tough. I didn't have the childhood and teenage years other girls did because I spent so much time in hospital.

"The scars were big, tight and red, and I felt so aware of the markings on my face.

"It was hard to accept the way my face and body had become unrecognisable, and even harder to imagine living the rest of my life with the scars."

But over the years, she noticed that her skin always felt better after spending time in the sea.

She said: "We went on a lot of family seaside holidays, and when I swam in the sea, my burns seemed to fade and become softer.

Jane shows the extent of the injuries she suffered. Picture: SWNS
Jane shows the extent of the injuries she suffered. Picture: SWNS

"Over time I became convinced it was the saltiness of the sea that was improving my skin.

"When I told doctors my theory about the sea, they would ignore me and prescribe E45 cream to soothe the burns.

"But the truth is nothing ever made me skin feel as soft as the sea did."

In 2014, she inherited £35,000 and decided to invest in creating her own skin treatment, inspired by the salt water.

Working alongside scientists at Star Laboratory, the mum develop Sea Creme - which can be used on regular skin as well as scars.

Jane was the first to try her own product. She said: "My skin was softer and less tough and taut. I knew I was onto a winner."


Last month, she pitched to Fenwicks and Sea Creme went on sale in January.

She said: "If someone told my childhood self that I would be the one to improve my skin and that one day I would own a business, I'd never have believed it.

"To turn my horrific ordeal into something positive is amazing - I'm so proud of myself."

So far Jane has sold £250 worth of the products.

Now, the mum has 10,000 pots of Sea Creme ready to go and plans to pitch to high street stores Boots and Superdrug.

For more information click here.

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