Yes! not only are snails good to eat, but apparently they’re great for your skin too!
Their slime that is.
According to a scientific study published by the Journal “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology” in their issue of January 2008, there are regenerative properties of the secretion of snails and its invaluable effects on the skin. According to this study, the fluid substance that land snails secrete when under stress protects them from free radicals, environmental pollution and UV radiation. Moreover, snails never suffer from skin infections. And even if they slither through the roughest surface, their skin will never be lacerated. Nature is wise!
How does the secretion of snails work on human skin?
The serum secreted by these little creatures has powerful antioxidant action, acting at the level of free radical production and also sequestering free radicals. It protects the snails when they come out from hibernation or resting, low metabolism and no oxygen, into an atmosphere full of oxygen radicals and ozone.
When the serum is applied to fibroblasts, and even to senescent fibroblasts, it enhances proliferation and functional capability of these cells. Fibroblasts are responsible for generating all the elements of the skin matrix, included collagen, elastin fibers and glycosaminoglycans & proteoglycans. The latter two are the water holding molecules that provide for skin’s firmness, strength, suppleness, and elasticity.
“Skin care products that include the soluble serum also help to orchestrate the correct assembly of the extracellular matrix, and avoid excess or abnormal scars, included acne scarring”.
What does snail serum do to the skin?
1. Possesses potent superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) antioxidant activities as well as multiple modes of antioxidant action, acting at the level of free radical production and also sequestering free radicals. This helps to maintain the skin healthy and improves cell function.
2. Counteracts sun damage, and thus prevents premature skin aging and wrinkles.
3. Accelerates skin turnover and renewal of damaged tissues, including actinic keratosis and keratosis pilaris and opens clogged pores.
4. Induces quick skin regeneration after wound healing, and helps to avoid keloid & abnormal scars and restore tissue plasticity.
5. Is effective to prevent and treat all types of scars and stretch marks.
6. Helps to reduce acne scars of all types, even ice-pick or indented scars and fights teen and adult acne & scalp and skin infections.
Furthermore, scientists reveal that if this natural serum is applied through skin products twice daily for two to three months, this can result in a clear improvement of clinical and histopathological photoaging signs and skin rejuvenation.
[Article Credit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/02/prweb669403.htm]
Snails are so POPULAR in skincare in Japan that they are used in their beauty treatments. “Slime from snails helps remove old cells, heal the skin after sunburn and moisturize it,” said Manami Takamura, a spokeswoman for the Tokyo-based beauty salon Ci:z.Labo, while placing three of the gastropods on a woman’s face.
Checkout this YouTube Video:
[youtube=http://youtu.be/eGeEEhCpl5s]
TELL US would you give this treatment a TRY?
YUCK… i wont try this at all
can the slime be used directly or from a product that has snail slime?
Both, but its a special kind of snail