How do modern cosmetologists use Achatina snails?

In all centuries, people have gone to any lengths to maintain attractiveness and prolong youth. The giant beauty industry operates today in an effort to satisfy one of the most basic human needs. However, with all the outstanding achievements of chemical science, cosmetology and medicine, nature itself creates recipes and formulas that are better than an advanced laboratory.

Akhatina Fulika

The use of snail therapy and its effect

The composition, rich in useful substances, has a positive effect on the condition of the skin, improving it in many ways. Amino acids nourish, vitamin C works as an antioxidant, collagen increases elasticity and firmness, allontoin has anti-inflammatory properties.

Thus, the procedure allows you to achieve the following results:

• intensive hydration and moisture retention in tissues;
• slowing down the aging process;
• improvement of microcirculation, condition of capillaries: smoother, healthier complexion;
• filler effect: wrinkles are smoothed out thanks to collagen, filling from the inside;
• tissue regeneration, rejuvenation;
• calming effect on the skin, relieving irritation;
• elimination of minor defects.

Snail therapy may be especially recommended for the face and other areas in the following cases:

• anti-aging care;
• combating the consequences of acne (smoothing small scars, smoothing the skin surface);
• relief of psoriasis;
• lightening pigment spots;
• reduction of burn marks and other damage;
• treatment of stretch marks after pregnancy and childbirth.

The sight of snails and their slime may seem repulsive. Many women admit that they were afraid to undergo the procedure and decided to undergo it only because of the beautiful pictures illustrating the result. Moreover, in practice, contact with snails turned out to be even pleasant, and the effect was greater than expected.

Properties and indications for use of snail mucus

African Achatina snails use mucus to move smoothly over the surface and protect their sole from friction (if damaged, it promotes rapid healing of the wound and restoration of the shell). The secretion they secrete contains the following useful substances, which make it useful for use in cosmetology:

• collagen, elastin (stimulate the processes of natural regeneration of the skin, and increase the level of synthesis of new collagen and elastin fibers);
• allantoin (has pronounced wound-healing and antioxidant properties); natural antibiotics (stop the growth and development of pathogenic microorganisms, normalize the composition of the normal microflora of the skin);
• vitamins and amino acids (nourish, moisturize and soften the skin);
• glycolic acid (has a mild exfoliating effect, promotes renewal of the upper layers of the skin).

It is impossible not to say that snail mucus is capable of forming an airtight but moisture-permeable film on the surface of the skin, which acts as a protective barrier for the epidermis, so the benefits of the Achatina snail are obvious, and it does not cause harm to humans. Research by scientists has shown that the secretion they secrete does not cause allergies and is completely safe for the skin; it also has an analgesic effect and is a powerful aphrodisiac.

The main indications for the use of the large snail Achatina:

• wrinkles;
• decreased turgor and elasticity of the skin;
• disturbances in the functioning of the sebaceous glands (acne, acne);
• dark spots;
• stretch marks;
• violations of the integrity of the skin (wounds, scratches, cuts, burns).

The snail therapy procedure can significantly slow down the aging process of the skin and accelerate the process of epidermis renewal (due to glycolic acid, which is part of the secretion and has an exfoliating effect). Some reviews about the use of Achatina in cosmetology say that with its help you can cure psoriasis and get rid of cellulite, but this is not so. Snail mucus only helps to slightly lighten psoriatic plaques and reduce the inflammatory process, and in the treatment of cellulite, snails can be used due to the fact that massage with their help improves blood circulation, due to which the lipolysis process is activated, but it is impossible to completely get rid of lipodystrophy with their help .

Facial massage: description of the process

Procedures involving snails require a certain sequence of actions.

1. Cleanse the skin - remove makeup, wash, lightly exfoliate.
2. Give the snails a bath in running water.
3. Apply a small amount of milk or cream to the skin as a bait.
4. Place Achatina on your face and control their movements for about a quarter of an hour.
5. Remove the snails, distribute the mucus evenly and leave to soak for 10-15 minutes.
6. Wash your face, apply cream.

Photo: Akhatinami massage procedure
Let's take a closer look at the massage itself, that is, the stage when the mollusks are on the face. It is enough to look at a photo or video of the procedure to understand: it is difficult for such large creatures as Achatina to move independently on the proposed surface. They slide down, preferring to freeze in order to hold on. Therefore, the cosmetologist himself moves them with light circular movements. The result is a massage effect, the mollusks actively produce mucus, which is evenly distributed over the face.

The session with the participation of grape snails looks somewhat different. They are much smaller and at least stay on the surface of the face more confidently. The specialist only occasionally corrects the trajectory of movement so that the mollusks do not crawl outside the desired zone, do not get into the eyes, and so on. Although more often he simply pushes them and transplants them to a new place, these creatures are usually very slow.

Depending on the objectives, a course of snail therapy may include from 5 to 10 sessions with an interval of 2-3 days. The skin becomes soft and well-hydrated from the first procedure. After the third time, a noticeable cosmetic effect appears: wrinkles are smoothed out, appearance improves, pigmentation decreases, etc. To track the dynamics, you can take photographs during the course.

In addition to facial massage, there are procedures with snails for the neck, décolleté, hands, as well as any problem areas where there are scars, burn marks, stretch marks.

Indications

Snail massage is recommended for anyone who has problematic or aging skin. The procedure prevents age-related changes in the epithelium and smoothes wrinkles.

In addition, this cosmetology service is suitable for those who have wounds, ulcers or burns on both the face and body. However, in this case, a preliminary consultation with a doctor is necessary.

Also, indications for massage include skin with physical disabilities or flaws such as acne, warts, acne.

The procedure is carried out in a course of 11-14 times with an interval of one day. The younger the skin, the fewer sessions it will need to achieve a tightening effect.

Snails in the apartment

Achatina are quite popular as pets. They are unpretentious to living conditions and food, and look interesting thanks to their elegant shell. Room temperature suits snails. As a rule, they equip a house in a spacious aquarium (without water), and build a special bedding there that needs to be moistened. Many people become attached to their pets and believe that they are capable of reciprocating. Achatina owners take spectacular photos with them and publish their observations. For example, it is believed that these land mollusks like to be bathed in warm water.

The process of bathing a snail

Breeding snails in captivity occurs without problems. They periodically lay eggs in the ground, from which even a novice breeder will raise a new generation of mollusks at home.

It is probably unethical to advise keeping snails in order to reduce the cost of medical cosmetic procedures. After all, these are living creatures that need to be cared for, including feeding, changing bedding, and maintaining a comfortable environment in the terrarium. However, those who are not afraid of these troubles can easily buy Achatina and practice massage at home.

Growing Achatina

Advantages and disadvantages of the procedure

Any cosmetic procedure has its pros and cons. This also applies to snail therapy.

Advantages

• Effective treatment of burns.
• Treats acne.
• Eliminates minor skin damage.
• Reduces the depth of wrinkles and scars.
• Moisturizes and tightens the skin.
• Restores the functioning of the sebaceous glands.
• Removes stretch marks, blackheads and pigmentation.
• Stimulates skin cell regeneration.
• Lightens or completely eliminates freckles.
• Has antibacterial properties.
• High anti-stress effect. If you relax as much as possible during the massage, the snail’s movements have a calming effect on the nervous system and relieve tension.

The secret of snails is added to many anti-aging products. According to cosmetologists, in just one massage session you can get the result achieved after three months of using moisturizers.

Flaws

• Cost of the procedure. A massage session is quite expensive, as shellfish are transported from Africa.
• Specific procedure. Some women are disdainful of snails and do not dare to let them on their faces.
• Constant supervision of a specialist. The procedure should be carried out by an experienced cosmetologist, since the behavior of snails can be unpredictable (they may try to get into the eyes or mouth).
• During the massage, constant monitoring of the trajectory of their movement and direction to problem areas is necessary.

With all the advantages of the procedure and its final result, such disadvantages become insignificant. If you have the opportunity to undergo a snail massage, you should definitely take advantage of it, as this is one of the most effective ways to rejuvenate the skin.

Contraindications and doubts

No matter how wonderful the results of therapy are, there will be skeptics who want to know or talk about possible disadvantages and pitfalls.

Indeed, medications usually have contraindications and side effects. In the case of snails, oddly enough, there are practically no restrictions. Even an allergic reaction to mucus is extremely rare. However, in case of serious skin problems, expressed in inflammatory and purulent processes, it is necessary to establish their cause by consulting a doctor. The composition of mucus in some cases may not be beneficial, but may only aggravate the situation.

The ability to massage your face and body with snails is often hampered by a psychological barrier: disgust and even phobias towards peculiar creatures.

The disadvantages of the procedure include:

1. High price. It’s hard to argue with this, all that remains is to state that we all choose skin care that suits us both in terms of effect and price.
2. Another reason for concern can be called sanitary or epidemiological. Snails are alive and, therefore, can get sick and be carriers of infections or parasites. To ensure that the procedure does not cause harm, only specially grown individuals should be used for it, and not taken from nature.

There is an opinion that even in captivity, snails run the risk of getting, for example, salmonellosis through the shell of a chicken egg given to them as a calcium supplement. Although there are no recorded cases of human infection as a result of the procedure, it is recommended to visit only those salons where the care and nutrition of animals is handled responsibly.

Achatina snails - interesting facts

Achatina are land mollusks that live in tropical and subtropical climates. There are several representatives of the genus Achatina, differing in the color of their shell and body.

Snails are agricultural pests that destroy sugar cane. They are kept as pets or for sale.

For a comfortable stay, a snail needs a spacious home. A container or an aquarium is suitable as a home. For one individual it is necessary to allocate 3 liters. volume.

4 options are suitable as a substrate:

1. Flower compost without fertilizers.
2. Purified peat.
3. Loose sand.
4. Hazelnut or walnut shells.

Sand is the most environmentally friendly and safe option. In addition, it resembles a natural habitat.

Snails, in addition to waste products, secrete mucus. If hygiene rules are not followed, parasites may appear in it. Once every 1.5 months it is recommended to wash the home and change the substrate.

It is necessary to monitor the temperature of the environment, since snails are tropical inhabitants. The most favorable regime is 20-28°C. Avoid direct sunlight and proximity to batteries.

Additional comfort is created through accessories:

• Mha.
• Wood.
• Broken flower pots.
• Living plants.

Ivy and ferns take root well in an aquarium.

As food, Achatina prefer plant foods, greens, and the remains of rotting fruits. Calcareous rocks are an essential element of the diet. Some members of the genus eat animal protein.

Life expectancy is 5-10 years. The growth of an individual does not stop from birth to death. Achatina are hermaphrodites. Reproduction does not require different sexes of Achatina living in the same territory.

The beneficial properties of snails were first discovered by farm workers. After contact with shellfish, the skin on the hands became smooth and elastic.

Research has proven that the mucus secreted by Achatina has a number of healing properties.

In nature, snails face many dangers. The secretion produced allows you to quickly restore deformed areas of the body.

Achatina snails and their mucin

Mucin is an active component of mucus. It contains elastin and collagen.

Cosmetics with snail secretions moisturize, rejuvenate the skin, even out the tone, and slow down the aging process.

Mucus contains antimicrobial peptides and antioxidants, vitamins A, B, E, which trigger cellular restoration processes.

Mucin activates the process of division of fibroblasts that produce collagen. It reduces the harmful effects of free radicals that destroy fibrillar protein.

Studies have proven that the use of cosmetics with shellfish secretions slows down the aging process by 29%.

Myths

Some authors of online reviews consider words about the effectiveness of snail massage to be a lie and an advertising ploy. This is partly the fault of beauty clinics and salons, seeking to attract attention to a new service at any cost. With their light hand, myths arise about the miracles performed by snails, such as the complete removal of extensive and old scars, the treatment of advanced cases of acne, cellulite and even infertility. Unfortunately, counting on Achatina as a panacea is useless.

Cosmetic massage with snails

In fact, only the effects listed above are confirmed, such as high-quality skin hydration and anti-aging care. It also accelerates tissue regeneration, making it possible to level out small scars and reduce pigmentation in areas of burns and stretch marks. Photos taken before and after a course of procedures convince of the materiality of the result.

The main purpose of massage

Snail therapy differs from traditional massage. It does not affect the muscles. The main goal is to treat the surface of the face with a special secretion containing valuable components:

• Vitamin complex. Well moisturizes, refreshes complexion and nourishes.
• Collagen. Makes dermal tissue more elastic. This is the main substance aimed at maintaining elasticity.
• Allantoin. Antioxidant that enhances cell regeneration.
• Elastin. Nourishes the inner layers of the skin and gives smoothness.
• Lectin. Cleanses away impurities.
• Glycolic acids. Participate in cell renewal.
• Solar filter. Provides UV protection.
• Peptides. Provide protection against pathogenic bacteria.

The mucus does not contain harmful substances and is therefore completely absorbed by the skin. With the help of nutrients, it is moisturized. The ingredients included in the mucus penetrate its inner layer and saturate it with useful microelements. In addition, snail secretion has an anti-inflammatory effect and has a positive effect on problem areas.

After a course of massage, the skin becomes tightened and receives a protective barrier from the effects of bacteria and sunlight. All layers of the dermis are enriched with oxygen, and their microcirculation also improves.

The main areas for massage are the face, neck and décolleté, and hands. You can massage the whole body, but for this the snails must be adults and large enough. During the procedure, the mollusks make wave-like movements, relaxing the skin and opening the pores. The result is observed after the first procedure.

Skin care products

A relatively inexpensive alternative to massage is cosmetics containing snail extract. But it contains many additional components, and accordingly the concentration of active substances is different than in the mucus itself.

It is known that with age, the synthesis of collagen, elastin and other proteins necessary for the skin slows down. Cosmetology primarily addresses the issue of delivering these substances from the outside.

Many cosmetics manufacturers, especially Korean ones, produce entire series: creams, masks, primers, and makeup remover emulsions based on snail mucus. The names of the products contain the terms filtrate or mucin. These words mean the same thing as extract and mucilage.

Cosmetic products with snail secretion nourish and protect, smooth out wrinkles, create a lifting effect, and mattify the skin.

Types of procedure

In the photo: Akhatina Fulika

In the photo: Achatina Reticulata

Skin care using snails is called snail therapy. It uses two varieties of it.

Of all the types of Achatina snails, the most popular is Achatina Fulica, with a bright shell that changes color depending on the diet. The second common species is Achatina Reticulata, which is characterized by a dark stalk and a striped or dotted shell. This representative is more active and mobile.

Action

Peeling with snails is carried out due to the active components contained in the mucin, which “burns out” dead cells without injuring the new epithelium. Lectins contained in mucus create an antibacterial effect and cleanse the skin.

Natural components of snail secretion when applied to the face:

• Moisturizes flaky and dry skin.
• Dries out acne.
• Reduces the appearance of stretch marks and scars.
• Rejuvenate the skin, smooth out shallow wrinkles.
• By creating a lifting effect, they prevent ptosis and reduce the signs of age.
• Create a wound-healing and disinfecting effect.
• Treat burns.
• Helps get rid of freckles, pigmentation, warts.

Facial massage with Achatina snails is very popular. The procedure is recommended for dry and problematic skin prone to rashes and peeling.