Table of contents:
- The benefits of leech therapy in the world of health
- The therapeutic uses of leeches in plastic surgery
- What are the benefits of leeches for beauty?
Are you among those who are willing to do anything to stay young? For example, allowing a person to use leech-infused blood from his own body as a face mask?
It might be disgusting to think about it, but for some people, leeches are just the solution they need. Leech therapy is a real cosmetic procedure for those who are willing to put forth extra effort to maintain their beauty.
The benefits of leech therapy in the world of health
Leech therapy in the medical world has a long history. Doctors in the ancient Egyptian, Greek, Indian, and Arab civilizations believed that leeches were able to cure everything, including laryngitis, yellow fever, nervous system disorders, dental problems, skin diseases, and infections.
Hematophageal animals, such as leeches, are known to have biologically active compounds in their waste substances, especially in saliva. Leech saliva contains various bioactive peptides and proteins that involve antithrombin (hirudin, bufrudin), antiplatelet (calin, saratin), factor Xa inhibitor (lefaxin), antibacterial (theromacin, theromycin), and others working to prevent blood clots. As a result, blood can flow more smoothly to the wound site to speed up the healing process.
The therapeutic uses of leeches in plastic surgery
In modern medicine, leeches are mostly used as a last resort in plastic surgery and other microsurgery to save flap tissue or limbs that are threatened with death after reconstructive procedures, including those for cancer and diabetes, and also help in the process of reattaching severed body parts. .
Usually, plastic surgeons use the needle prick method or with a nitropaste (a heart medicine that dilates blood vessels) to save compromised tissue. When this method cannot be achieved, doctors will switch to using leeches. Tram flaps - an abdominal tissue used to make new breasts after a mastectomy - for example, can fill with blood that can't find its way out of the area. When blood flow becomes severely restricted, the affected tissue can die. Leeches play a role in removing stagnant venous blood by sucking it for food. Instead, these leeches will dilate blood vessels to increase blood flow to the problem area.
As long as the leeches suck blood, they will release an anti-clotting agent, known as hirudin, into the wound which will keep the bleeding in the affected area smooth for up to 5-6 hours after the leech automatically falls full or is removed by a doctor.
In recent years, leech therapy has seen a revival as a result of its simple and inexpensive benefits to prevent complications - especially in the world of beauty. More and more people, including world celebrities, have tried leech beauty therapy, which is known as the “leech face lift”.
What are the benefits of leeches for beauty?
During the leech face lift process, about 1-2 hungry leeches will be placed on your body - usually in the abdominal area around the navel - to suck your blood until you are full. After that, the doctor, or better known as the hiroudotherapist, will draw out the fresh blood they have consumed and then rub it directly on your face.
Leech therapy for beauty is believed to improve the overall appearance of the face by tightening, supple, glowing, and softening the skin. What is the reason?
Apart from producing various kinds of protein, leech saliva also contains a number of lipids (fats). Lipids are important active ingredients commonly found in various skin care products. But, is there a link between the lipids produced by leeches and an increase in the appearance of your ideal facial skin?
Phosphatidic acid and free fatty acids occupy the largest proportion of lipids in leech saliva. Topical application of free fatty acids has been shown to influence the formation of lipids in human skin, and topical lipids have been shown to be effective as good conditioning and moisturizing agents for the skin (usually, these fatty acids are also contained in the oil, which also provides the oil with its moisturizing benefits).
However, apart from the therapeutic properties of leeches in medicine, there is still not much that can be known for sure from the role and effects of leech saliva in the world of cosmetics. In addition, the safety and complications of leech beauty therapy are controversial.
