Product Recommendations:
As you might imagine, there are many snail products out there with a wide variety of controls and cost. I have found the following products, reliable, inexpensive, and consistently beneficial. I receive no benefit from promoting these products except benefit that comes from your potentially successful use of them!
Let me know if you find anything better out there! drandysslaser@gmail.com
New and Fascinating Science:
Since writing my previous post 1 year ago, snail mucin and its use has become increasingly widespread. There was a recent review this year in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology of the expanding uses of snail extract for skin.
Use in the medical fields has extended over anti-bacterial therapy, anti-tumor effects, wound healing benefits, and mixing into compounds for drug delivery. In skin treatment, benefits include hydrating, scar reduction, anti-acne, treating hyperpigmentation, and general anti-aging.
The review notes that snail mucin has been used globally for centuries dating back to ancient Greece, where it was used for relieving inflamed skin. The Han dynasty in China documented use for things as varied as tetanus, insect bites and hemorrhoids.
Let me go through a list of things that are surprising about snail mucin:
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One snail species has secretions with antimicrobial activity comparable to conventional antibiotics!
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When digested, snail mucin can affect the bacteria of the gut and has been found to ease symptoms of constipation. (in rats :-)
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Mixed with other drugs, snail mucin can increase the drug release and absorption and prolong the half-life of potentially hundreds of medications.
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In mouse colon cancer it has been found to decrease cancer growth and prolong survival.
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A number of animal studies have shown improved healing of wounds on skin and mucous membranes.
Specifically applied to skin it has been shown to create a more youthful, firm appearance with increased skin elasticity. Mucin from one species in a human study showed improvement of coarse eye wrinkles and fine facial wrinkles. A group of patients that underwent photo aging treatment (that’s what we do :-), and were then treated with snail mucin had accelerated repair, reduction of redness, tightness, and burning.
Remember that ANY agent that is applied topically to the skin has the potential to provoke an irritation or allergic reaction. Before using any new cosmetic products, be sure to “spot test” yourself, especially if you have had trouble previously with different agents for treating your skin.
Best wishes and happy holidays!
Andy Macfarlan, MD
