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Snail therapy in beauty salons: fact or hoax?
In recent years, a new trend has emerged in the world of beauty and skincare known as snail therapy.
This unusual method involves placing live snails, particularly garden snails or giant African snails, on a person’s face or other parts of the body. As the snails move slowly, they release a sticky secretion rich in vitamins and enzymes.
While the idea may sound strange
- or even unpleasant to some, it has gained popularity in several beauty
- salons worldwide, especially in Japan and Thailand
- and gradually spread to Europe and the United States.
What is snail therapy?
The treatment relies on the snail’s natural movement across the skin and the mucus it produces. Snail mucus contains a blend of glycolic acid, collagen, elastin, proteins, and antioxidants.
This composition has led beauty experts to view it as a natural alternative to expensive chemical-based skincare products.
Potential benefits
According to some beauty specialists, snail mucus may contribute to:
-
Skin hydration: thanks to compounds that help retain water in skin cells.
-
Reducing wrinkles: due to the presence of collagen and elastin, essential for maintaining skin elasticity.
-
Accelerating wound and spot healing: the mucus contains antibacterial properties and compounds that stimulate cell regeneration.
-
Skin brightening: glycolic acid gently exfoliates the skin, removing dead cells.
These potential benefits have encouraged major cosmetic companies to include snail extract in creams and serums.
Health risks
Despite the growing popularity of snail therapy, doctors warn of certain risks, such as:
-
Bacterial or fungal infections: since snails are living organisms, they may carry bacteria or parasites that can transfer to human skin.
-
Allergic reactions: some people may develop skin irritation or allergies when exposed to snail secretions.
-
Lack of health regulations: as the therapy is usually offered in beauty salons rather than medical clinics, hygiene standards may not always be guaranteed.
-
Insufficient scientific evidence: most studies on snail benefits remain limited and rely largely on individual experiences rather than extensive clinical research.
Between beauty and medicine
It is important to distinguish between using snail extracts in safe, regulated cosmetic products and placing live snails directly on the skin.
While manufactured products undergo quality and safety testing, direct use of live snails involves greater risks that are harder to control.
Conclusion
Snail therapy reflects the beauty industry’s ongoing search for natural solutions to rejuvenate the skin and fight aging. Although the practice has attracted curiosity and attention, the claimed benefits still require stronger scientific proof to confirm both effectiveness and safety.
Therefore
those interested in trying it should ensure strict hygiene standards or, preferably, rely on cosmetic products containing snail extract instead of turning to live snails.
In short
snail therapy is a double-edged sword: it may provide radiance and renewal for the skin, but it can also pose potential health risks that demand caution.