Among all procedures, reviews of leeches in cosmetology for facelifts are the most controversial. Those who decided on this procedure appreciated its incredible effect, which also lasts for a long time. Others cannot overcome the psychological barrier associated with the leeches themselves.
However, modern cosmetology provides many opportunities, and an experienced specialist will find hirudoplasty no less comfortable than any other procedure. But the effect will surprise even those who have tried most cosmetic techniques.
What is hirudotherapy?
To understand how effective leeches can be, it is necessary to consider the very essence of the procedure and all its features. A facelift with leeches, as well as any other procedures using them, is called hirudotherapy (from the Latin “hiruda” - a type of annelid worm). Unlike many cosmetic procedures, this technique is completely painless, does not require a rehabilitation period and gives tangible results after the first procedures in the course.
Leeches have been used medicinally for thousands of years. They were used in Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, Greece, etc. It is not surprising that they revolutionized not only medicine, but also cosmetology.
It is important to note that for a facelift, only one type of leeches is used, which are placed on special points. It is highly undesirable to use any leeches, because not all subspecies have healing properties. For what purposes is hirudotherapy used and what can leeches influence to provide the desired effect? The list includes:
- Smoothing wrinkles;
- Eliminating signs of fatigue, slowing down the aging process;
- Removing toxins and metabolic products from the skin;
- Facial skin tightening and color improvement;
- Acne treatment;
- Elimination of cosmetic skin defects;
- Strengthening skin immunity and accelerating the production of nutrients.
Such a wide spectrum of action can be achieved thanks to a special secretion that leeches secrete into the blood. It contains an incredibly large amount of useful substances that accelerate natural regeneration, nourish and rejuvenate the skin, help smooth out wrinkles, etc.
Pros and cons of this method
Like any procedure in cosmetology, hirudoplasty has its advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages of this technique it is worth noting:
- The effect of leeches lasts for a long period;
- This procedure is 100% natural;
- Hirudoplasty is not considered a complex procedure and is characterized by an almost complete absence of risks;
- The minimum range of contraindications makes lifting with leeches accessible to almost all people;
- The procedure has a general healing effect on the body.
Despite the fact that anti-aging hirudoplasty is incredibly effective and one course can provide results no worse than surgical lifts, it also has a number of disadvantages. Among the main ones are:
- Allergic reactions to the protein contained in the secretion secreted by leeches are possible;
- A small wound may remain at the site of suction (heals in 1-2 days);
- In some cases, hirudin (leech enzyme) can cause wounds to bleed (this goes away in 1-2 days);
- A pigment spot may temporarily appear at the site where the leech is attached.
It is important to note that if the procedure is performed by an experienced and qualified specialist, the chance of such defects occurring will be minimal.
Indications and contraindications
Let's briefly consider when hirudotherapy will be indicated and in what cases the procedure should be postponed or even canceled. The main indications that cosmetologists highlight include:
- Presence of acne (except for severe cases);
- The presence of pits, scars and spots that remain after acne;
- With age-related changes (dry skin, decreased tone, appearance of wrinkles, color changes);
- To speed up recovery after operations and complex cosmetic procedures;
- For alopecia, seborrhea and other causes of active hair loss.
In the following conditions, hirudotherapy will be contraindicated, so it should be postponed or prohibited (depending on the specific case):
- In case of illness or while taking medications that affect blood clotting;
- If you have cancer;
- In cases of iron deficiency;
- For hypotension;
- During pregnancy;
- In case of increased sensitivity to the secretion secreted by leeches.
It is also important to remember that when using non-medical leeches, there is a risk of contracting various diseases, so this procedure should only be performed by an experienced cosmetologist.
Side effects
The body can react to any, even the most harmless cosmetic procedure, completely differently than expected, and hirudotherapy is no exception. Among the natural effects that may occur after using leeches, experts note:
- The presence of slight swelling and redness;
- Slight increase in body temperature (local);
- Itching;
- Enlarged lymph nodes on the head or neck.
All such symptoms are a natural reaction of the body and disappear quickly enough, therefore they do not require any intervention or additional actions. However, in rare cases, minor complications may occur, among which cosmetologists identify three possible reactions:
- General increase in body temperature (up to high values);
- Mild muscle pain;
- Weakness and dizziness;
- Bleeding from the sites where leeches are installed for a long time (more than two days);
- Infection in wounds due to improper skin care after the procedure;
- Allergic reaction.
You need to understand that this is a general list of all possible side effects and most of them can be avoided by contacting a qualified specialist.
How is the procedure performed?
Often girls do not fully understand how to apply leeches to the face to tighten the skin, so they significantly exaggerate and present the procedure as real torture. However, in practice everything turns out to be very simple and painless.
The first step is always preparing the skin. To do this, use special products that are odorless and tasteless. Leeches are very sensitive to strong odors, so if the basic principles of preparation are violated, the procedure is unlikely to be performed correctly. You also need to control your diet. At least one day before hirudotherapy, it is prohibited to:
- Drink alcohol;
- There are hot and spicy dishes (exclude spices, garlic, onions and other seasonings with a strong odor);
- No smoking;
- Use perfume or deodorant (5-6 hours before the procedure).
When the skin is cleansed and prepared, the patient sits comfortably in a chair and the cosmetologist begins the procedure. For a circular lift, the suction points must be in strictly marked places. They are located symmetrically from each other and at a certain distance. As a rule, it is impossible to force a leech to attach itself exactly in the specified place, so a specialist usually allows an error of 2 square meters. cm.
All leech installation points are usually fixed, but the specialist can select additional locations if necessary. They are selected individually. It is also important to note that leeches are used only once. The procedure time may also vary. On average, leeches leave the skin in 20-60 minutes. It is very important to follow all the doctor’s recommendations both during the procedure and after its completion.
From the video you will learn how the procedure is carried out:
How many procedures should be performed?
The duration of the course is always selected by the doctor. This is influenced by many factors, from the desired effect and specific indications to individual characteristics. On average, experts note that it is optimal to carry out 10 procedures in one course. At the same time, noticeable improvements in skin condition, smoothing of some wrinkles and other effects can already be seen after the 4th procedure.
It is also important to note that the peculiarity of hirudoplasty is the cumulative effect, therefore, even with visible improvements after 4-5 procedures, it is advisable to complete the entire course.
How long does the effect of the procedures last?
The duration of the effect is perhaps the main and most important issue for many women who decide to undergo hirudoplasty. And the procedure does not disappoint at all. Despite the absence of recovery and surgical intervention during the procedure, the effect lasts for 3-6 months. It is recommended to take 1-2 courses per year, although the frequency will depend on how long the effect of the previous course lasts.
Photos before and after procedures
After the procedure, small marks in the form of wounds often remain in the places where the leeches were installed. However, in most cases they are completely minor and disappear completely after 1-2 days. You can clearly see that the cosmetic spots in the photo from the installation of leeches on the face do not look worse than an injection facelift or other cosmetic procedures. At the same time, hirudoplasty is considered one of the most gentle, natural and natural techniques that can give significant results. You can verify this from the photographs taken before and after the procedures.
Reviews
Finally, we have collected reviews on how hirudotherapy will tighten the skin of the face and how it compares with other types of lifts.
“Emmy: I completed a course of five procedures, it was necessary to remove a rash that would not go away and rejuvenate the skin. There are wrinkles only near the eyes, so I didn’t worry too much about it. It’s only unpleasant when they stick, then only a slight tightening is felt. When they disappear you can’t even feel them anymore. Actually, the rash went away after 3 times, but I decided to do two more for prevention and to improve the skin. My impressions are only positive, I’ll take the course again in a while.”
“Katerina Godchenko: the fact that the procedure was completely natural played a role. Although the doctor checked the reaction to leeches for the first time, she says that she has not encountered any allergic cases, but to be on the safe side, it is better to check. During the process, a slight burning sensation was felt in the places where these reptiles had bitten, although for the sake of such an action you can endure it. On the negative side, the only traces were there for a long time and disappeared completely on the 5th day. The complexion became much lighter, the skin became matte and elastic, the pores narrowed. In general, one blunder. So if you overcome your attitude towards leeches, I strongly recommend this procedure to everyone.”
“Lullaby777: I decided to undergo hirudotherapy a month later. I was afraid a lot, but in the end I gave up and signed up. I was terribly worried in front of the office, but it’s good that the doctor was cheerful and quickly calmed me down. The experience is immediately visible. The results are very encouraging, the nasolabial fold has noticeably smoothed out, and the crow's feet in the corners of the eyes have almost completely disappeared. After the 6th procedure, my cheeks tightened, and at work they thought that I had had my cheekbones corrected. My face began to look younger and this is visible not only to me, but also to those around me. I will definitely complete all 10 prescribed sessions, although I never fell in love with leeches.”
“Marie: the effect has lasted for two months. I didn’t see any particular rejuvenation, but my skin became much lighter, even when you’re very tired or don’t get enough sleep, you look pretty fresh. I decided that I would combine courses of leeches with courses of hyaluronic acid, alternating them for six months. So far I’ve done this and that once, and I’m 100% satisfied with the results.”
“Suzuka Rin: Mom’s wrinkles have smoothed out noticeably, mine have not so much, although our age difference is 22 years. I think at 28 it’s still too early to think about leeches. There was an effect, I noticed the benefits, but I can’t go through these suckers over and over again, I think about it and it makes me shiver. Unless absolutely necessary, I’d rather use other procedures) By the way, after 4 courses the allergy went away and for two months now I’ve been reacting to dust completely normally! This is why it’s definitely worth going to leeches, although then it’s better not to put them on the face, but on the back, lower back and other areas. So leeches = cool, but before 30 I don’t see the point in them.”
Hirudotherapy is a truly effective technique that will provide skin rejuvenation, smooth out wrinkles, eliminate minor problems, mild and moderate defects, as well as other facial skin problems. However, it is very important that the procedure is performed by an experienced specialist who knows all the intricacies of the process. This will affect both the result and the overall consequences after the procedure.
In order to be beautiful, women must take care of the freshness and youth of their facial skin. There are various techniques to help keep it in good condition: both traditional and a little unusual. The latter include hirudotherapy, which is a system of influencing the body with leeches specially designed for this purpose. Initially, this type of annelid was used primarily as a remedy. Indications for hirudotherapy include cardiovascular, nervous diseases (sleep disorders, migraines, radiculitis, neuritis, neuralgia of various origins, neuroses and autonomic disorders), diseases of the spine and joints, etc. But recently, the so-called hirudocosmetology, which deals with skin problems, including those associated with age-related changes, has become increasingly popular. To date, the effectiveness of leeches in the fight against wrinkles and other signs of aging has been proven by numerous positive reviews.
What is hirudotherapy and how do leeches help fight wrinkles?
Hirudotherapy is one of the areas of naturopathy - a science that develops treatment methods using natural remedies. Translated from Latin, hirudotherapy means “leech treatment.” As part of this method, special medical leeches are attached to certain areas of the patient’s body, which suck out several milliliters of blood while they are on the body, and in return inject their saliva with the beneficial enzymes it contains through a bite.
For hirudotherapy, a special type of leech is used: Hirudo medicinalis (medical leech). It is this species’ saliva that contains enzymes useful to humans:
- hirudin, which thins the blood;
- destabilase, which blocks thrombus formation;
- hyaluronidase, which enhances metabolism in skin cells and its renewal;
- aspirase, which prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques;
- aeglins and bradykinins, which have an anti-inflammatory and healing effect.
A medicinal leech must be grown in laboratory conditions under strict sanitary control. Otherwise, it can be a carrier of various infections and pose a serious danger to the patient’s health.
In hirudocosmetology, leeches are placed on biologically active points on the face and nearby areas. Individual points on the body responsible for skin metabolism can also be involved.
The rejuvenation effect occurs due to the complex effect of leeches on the facial skin:
- They normalize blood and lymph flow in the facial area (an effect similar to massage and hardware methods). This allows you to avoid the occurrence of stagnant processes and swelling that provoke stretching of the skin. In addition, good blood circulation is extremely important for saturating the skin with useful substances that allow you to maintain youth for a long time, and for normal cellular metabolism.
- The blood is saturated with useful substances: vitamins, microelements, amino acids (mesotherapy effect). It is known that leech saliva is rich in substances that help maintain youthful skin. Their number in the composition reaches several dozen components.
- Salivary enzymes include substances that enhance the skin’s independent production of collagen, thanks to which the process of natural rejuvenation occurs.
As a result of hirudocosmetological procedures, deep wrinkles become less pronounced, and fine wrinkles completely disappear. The skin is renewed and takes on a fresh, radiant appearance.
Leeches are a remedy that is effective not only against wrinkles. The advantages of using leeches include:
- improvement of complexion, including if there is strong pigmentation;
- treatment of pimples and acne;
- strengthening skin immunity;
- getting rid of edema;
- healing of scars and scars.
Leech rejuvenation procedure
You can undergo a course of rejuvenating procedures in hirudotherapy clinics. There are doctors working there who specialize in placing leeches - hirudotherapists. Their job is not just to attach a leech to the patient's face. First of all, they must conduct clinical studies to determine the general health status and identify possible contraindications. It is necessary to determine the level of blood clotting and hemoglobin level.
Hirudotherapy does not provide an immediate rejuvenation effect. Changes may be noticeable after the first procedure, but the final result will be visible only a few weeks after the end of the course of procedures.
Contraindications to the procedure are:
- individual intolerance;
- hemophilia;
- anemia;
- hypotension;
- decreased blood clotting;
- pregnancy;
- critical days;
- hemorrhagic diathesis;
- oncology.
If there are no contraindications to hirudotherapy, then you can get rid of wrinkles with the help of leeches at home. There is nothing complicated about it. Medical leeches are sold in pharmacies, the average price is 80 rubles per piece. They can be diluted in jars of water; no special conditions are required for this.
Video: placing leeches at home
How to carry out the procedure at home
The hirudotherapy procedure consists of several stages:
- Preparation. It turns out that leeches are very sensitive creatures. Sometimes they react to the slightest foreign odor emanating from a person and begin to “be capricious.” In this case, you may never get a bite. Therefore, a few hours before the procedure, limit yourself to smoking, drinking alcohol and foods that have a strong smell (onions, garlic). You cannot use perfume or deodorant.
- Immediately before the session, drink tea with sugar or something sweet.
- Skin cleansing. Since a rejuvenation session with leeches inevitably leads to damage to the skin at the time of the bite, take care that no infection is introduced into the blood. The skin must be disinfected, but in such a way that no odor remains on it after that. Therefore, it is first wiped with alcohol, and then the remaining residue is washed off with hot water without soap.
- It is necessary to ensure blood flow to the place where the leech should attach. To do this, it will be enough to rub it well with a piece of sterile bandage rolled up in several layers until the skin becomes slightly red.
- Setting up leeches. This can be done using your hands or a small container, preferably glass. For example, a glass or medical jar works well. If you place the leech with your hands, then you need to take it with your fingers under the head area and press it to the site of the intended bite. However, this method is not very convenient, since the touch of your hands makes the leech nervous and may refuse to stick to the skin. If a container is used, the leech is placed inside, and then this container is pressed tightly against the skin.
- Wait until the leech attaches itself. Sometimes this takes a few minutes.
- After the leech is satisfied, it will fall off on its own. This usually happens 15–60 minutes after placement. Small leeches are used for the face, so the procedure usually does not take much time. You cannot remove the leech from the skin on your own.
- The final stage. After the leech has fallen off, there is no need to disinfect the skin. Trying to stop bleeding from the bite site is the same. It is necessary to apply a dry bandage from a sterile bandage, rolling it up in several layers and attaching it to the skin with a plaster. The resulting structure will have to be changed several times as it absorbs blood, especially at the beginning. Bleeding after a leech bite can last up to a day, but usually on the face it stops much faster.
- Skin healing. Occurs within a week, after which no traces should remain. Consider the duration of this period in advance, because the face is a place that is in plain sight.
- Leech disposal. They are used strictly once, after which, according to the official regulations for the disposal of leeches, they can be washed down the drain. There is no point in leaving the leech, since for several months it will not produce the substances for which it is used. Her saliva will be useless.
The course of procedures consists of 7-10 sessions, which are carried out at intervals of 3-5 days. A single use of leeches does not provide a long lasting effect.
If the leech does not want to stick, then you can try moistening the skin with sweetened water.
Video: how the rejuvenation procedure with leeches works
What points are leeches placed on?
There are many points on the face that are susceptible to the effects of leeches. Which ones to use depends on the problem at hand. For example, if wrinkles on the forehead cause concern, while the skin of other areas of the face is in good condition, then leeches are placed specifically in the forehead and temples. That is, leeches are applied directly to wrinkles, as well as nearby areas.
To obtain the overall effect of rejuvenation and tightening, leeches can be placed in the following places:
- the so-called points of youth (Feng chi), located in the depressions at the base of the skull at the border of the hairline;
If you urgently need to remove an attached leech, just sprinkle it with salt, sprinkle with salt water, alcohol, or anoint the skin at the site of the bite with iodine.
Video: caring for leeches
Reviews
I place leeches in the hirudotherapy office, or rather, a hirudologist puts them on me. So, about the procedure itself - it is standard, the doctor selects leeches, small ones are ideal for the face. They put 3 pieces on me, for about 10-15 minutes. After the leeches were removed, a cotton swab was placed and a gauze bandage was tied. I did the procedure at about 2 pm, by the evening the bandage was removed, the wounds had healed and were not bleeding. On the second day, there was a slight swelling near the wounds, not at all critical, and a yellow bruise with swelling under the eye, as one leech got on the lower eyelid area. The third day - the swelling near the wounds on the face became smaller, the wounds were almost gone. Fourth day - the wounds healed, there were slightly noticeable marks left that could be hidden with foundation, the swelling under the eye subsided completely, a yellow color remained under the eye, I think foundation would do the job if necessary. Day six - everything passed as if it had never happened.
I didn’t notice a clearly defined cosmetic effect, maybe once is not enough. Would I recommend the use of leeches in general - yes, of course. I'll go again soon. On the face? — I think I’ll go through it again sometime. But on course!
OlgaVita
http://irecommend.ru/content/piyavki-na-litso-moi-pervyi-opyt-foto-otchet
I read on the Internet that in ancient times, young ladies before the ball put leeches behind their ears to make their eyes sparkle and blush on their cheeks. The feeling is truly indescribable - the next morning the complexion was so beautiful and there really was some sparkle in the eyes! The skin became noticeably cleaner and elasticity appeared, although before that there were already decent crow’s feet around the eyes, so I noticed that in the morning they were almost invisible. I was absolutely delighted!! After the procedure, a rejuvenating face mask is made from half the leeches (I cut the leech into pieces with scissors and apply my own blood with leech enzymes to my face).
Of course, there is an unpleasant side: bleeding after the attachment can last up to 12 hours, and small scars remain (more on the stomach), on the face they generally disappear quickly, because They put small ones on the face. But this is such a small thing compared to the amazing effect of rejuvenation and healing of the body! So if anyone wants to look 10-15 years younger than their age, maintain skin elasticity, preserve youth and beauty for a long time, get rid of crow's feet (crow's feet - wrinkles around the eyes - a very big scourge of women after 30), not to mention diseases : headache, arthritis, osteochondrosis, diabetes, and many others). I recommend it to everyone!
Muha79
http://irecommend.ru/content/deistvitelno-panatseya-piyavka-darit-molodost-i-krasotu-i-zdorove
In general, everything is not very pleasant, even the bite of the skin by a leech is sheer nonsense than the burning sensation, apparently, after the bite, the spat out and useful gerudin does its job, and the burning sensation is felt, all this is tolerable and not as scary as the disgust itself. Within 24 hours, liquefied blood flows out, you need to constantly monitor this, so discs, boric alcohol, and gloves will help you. After the procedure, drink and eat. I put it on my face once a week, the wounds with bruises are visible, they take a long time to go away, but if you cover it up correctly, you’ll hide everything. The skin is really rejuvenated, a blush has appeared, enlarged pores have tightened, I will continue to use it, I want to eliminate wrinkles on my face. By the way, hirudotherapy is a natural alternative to mesotherapy. I can’t advise everyone, this is a risk that you take yourself, answering with your own head.
Sandari
http://irecommend.ru/content/opyt-omolozheniya
Leeches are one of the most effective “tools” of alternative medicine. The benefits of hirudotherapy are officially recognized. Even doctors who adhere to traditional methods of treatment do not argue with the fact that sometimes treatment with leeches helps where other means are useless. But you need to understand that the use of leeches for rejuvenation has its own peculiarities and causes a lot of inconvenience. First of all, this is bleeding that occurs after the procedure, as well as bruises and bites that take a long time to disappear. Be prepared for the fact that when undergoing a rejuvenation course, there will always be marks on your face, which are often difficult to disguise. However, most women claim that the results are worth it.
Treatment using leeches (hirudotherapy, bdellotherapy) has long been used in medicine as a means to combat various infections, metabolic diseases, and skin diseases. Leeches release into the blood a unique mixture of various enzymes that have regenerating, anti-inflammatory and rejuvenating effects. Among them is the blood-thinning peptide hirudin, which contains about 65 amino acids.
The principle of action of leeches against wrinkles on the face
The glands of medicinal leeches secrete compounds that are ideal for use in cosmetology. They improve skin structure, microcirculation, local blood circulation, increase its elasticity and oxygenation (oxygen saturation). Hyaluronidase and collagenase elastase, components of leech saliva, act as agents that reduce tension and enhance the penetration of other compounds from the salivary glands into the skin tissue. A substance similar to histamine dilates blood vessels, increasing local blood circulation.
Medical leech (Hirudo medicinalis) is a type of annelid worm used in medicine and cosmetology.
Today, there are ointments and creams on the market with active extracts of leeches, but they cannot replace the natural enzyme hirudin, which penetrates into the blood only during a hirudotherapy session.
Along with anticoagulants, lipids and proteins also enter the skin as part of a powerful group of salivary compounds. The largest group is formed by phosphatidic acids and free fatty acids. Along with lipids, enzymes are released, such as phospholipases and lipases, which play an important role in the restoration of phospholipid membranes of skin cells and have a therapeutic and protective effect during the healing of wounds after leeching, which extends to surrounding tissues.
The therapeutic effect of a hirudotherapy session acts in 3 directions:
- reflex - medical leeches are placed on the skin of the face not randomly, but in the area of biologically active points, or so-called points of youth, corresponding to the projections of internal organs responsible for blood supply and microcirculation;
- mechanical - when feeding, leeches act similar to the method of therapeutic bloodletting, unloading the blood flow and stimulating the production of new blood cells; as a “side effect”, blood pressure is normalized and the work of the heart muscle is facilitated;
- biological - it contains the main therapeutic and rejuvenating effect - the release of the unique secretion of hiruda, which contains a lot of natural biologically active substances.
Indications for the use of hirudotherapy in cosmetology
Treatment of cosmetic skin defects, including the first signs of aging, has no age restrictions. Anyone can enjoy the benefits of hirudotherapy for facial rejuvenation, regardless of gender. The use of leeches in cosmetology helps reduce or eliminate defects such as:
- unsatisfactory cosmetic condition of the skin (tired appearance and dull complexion, swelling, the first signs of age and photoaging);
- deformation of the oval face, double chin, drooping eyelids;
- early small wrinkles in the eye area, upper lip;
- spider veins (telangiectasia);
- hyperpigmentation.
Today, hirudotherapy is widely used in plastic surgery to improve blood circulation in a skin graft or other defects resulting from corrective surgery.
At the same time, the overall condition of the skin will significantly improve and defects such as:
- scars from acne, post-acne rash (post-acne);
- acne and pustular diseases;
- some dermatological diseases, including those of an autoimmune nature (atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome, psoriasis).
How does a hirudotherapy session work?
Before prescribing hirudotherapy, the doctor examines the face to make sure there are no open lesions (ulcers, wounds). It is recommended to review any medications you are taking that increase the risk of bleeding or decrease the immune response. Caffeine should be avoided during and until completion of therapy to reduce the risk of vasospasm. Smoking and the use of nicotine substitutes are contraindicated during therapy due to the vasoconstrictor effects of carbon monoxide and nicotine.
Carrying out the procedure
The recommended course of rejuvenating procedures is 6–10 sessions of hirudotherapy with breaks of 3–4 days. The patient's position during the session should be as comfortable as possible for a comfortable stay for an hour. The algorithm of actions of a hirudotherapist is approximately as follows:
- Before applying the leech, the skin is washed with neutral soap and rinsed with sterilized water. Wipe dry.
- The therapist wears medical gloves and uses a pair of long, non-toothed forceps to remove the leech from its container. This is easier to do immediately after removing the container from the refrigerator, when the leeches are relatively docile.
- Then the leech is placed in a 5 cm plastic syringe (with the tip previously removed) and inverted over the treatment site.
- When the leech has attached itself, the syringe can be removed. To prevent the leech from moving and to calm the patient, you can use a soaked cotton ball and place it under the leech's body.
The leech is planted on a specific area of the face using a plastic syringe
If problems arise with attachment, the doctor may make a small puncture of the skin. The released drop of blood will stimulate the attachment of the geruda. The medicinal leech has three jaws with tiny teeth, with which it pierces the human skin and injects its own saliva, which has a healing effect. After the leech has finally attached and the sucking process has begun, the patient may feel a slight local burning sensation similar to a nettle burn. But after a few minutes, the natural pain-relieving components of saliva begin to act and the discomfort stops.
The leech releases about 60–70% of its medicinal substances in the first 10–15 minutes of the session. But in order for the patient to receive the full dose of enzymes, the procedure should last about 45 minutes. During this time, one leech manages to suck up to 15 ml of blood, after which it independently detaches from the wound. In case of reluctant detachment of the leech, use a 5% solution of benzoylecgonine externally to paralyze. Forced removal of a creature with tongs is never used.
A persistent reluctance of a leech to attach or detach indicates dying tissue or insufficient tissue nutrition.
Bite wounds will bleed for up to 10 hours after completion of the session, which is normal after the administration of hirudin, which has a blood thinning effect. During this time, the skin should be regularly washed with a disinfectant solution or protected by applying an aseptic dressing. After a few days, the wounds gradually close and then disappear without a trace, leaving no marks or scars.
Leeches should never be used repeatedly, even on the same patient, to avoid the transmission of bloodborne infections. After one-time use, leeches are disposed of as biohazardous waste. They are destroyed by immersing them in a 7% ethanol solution for five minutes before euthanizing them with 70% ethanol alcohol.
Possibilities of hirudotherapy in cosmetology
The complex therapeutic effect of using leeches on the face is externally noticeable after 1–2 sessions. Hirudotherapy helps smooth out wrinkles on the face, eliminate bags under the eyes and general swelling (pasty), reduce fat deposits in the form of a double chin, and get rid of unsightly age spots. The tone and elasticity of the facial skin increases, a healthy color and natural glow appear.
Hirudotherapy is a natural and safe way of facial rejuvenation
Using leeches at home
Experts, as a rule, recommend resorting to the services of professional hirudotherapists, who know many of the nuances and subtleties of the procedure. However, if you have certain knowledge and experience, for example, having undergone a course of hirudotherapy from a specialist in the past, you can try to conduct a rejuvenation session yourself at home. In this case, a preliminary consultation with the attending physician is required to exclude contraindications to the procedure. It is better to purchase leeches for home use in specialized pharmacies, which guarantees their safety.
It is first recommended to familiarize yourself with the classic options for applying them to the face for the purpose of a rejuvenating effect. However, it may turn out that using this therapeutic method on your own face is not very convenient. In addition, hirudotherapists categorically do not recommend installing leeches on the area around the eyes yourself. It is important to avoid areas where large arteries or veins anatomically pass. This procedure requires a reserve of patience and the development of the appropriate skill, which comes with experience. Therefore, it is recommended to start with 1–2 leeches, gradually increasing their number to a maximum of 5–7.
Contraindications and possible consequences of leech bites
Like any therapeutic procedure, hirudotherapy has its limitations. Contraindications to the use of the method include:
- blood clotting disorders (thrombocytopenia, hemophilia);
- postoperative period, when the risk of bleeding is increased;
- tumor process of a malignant nature (any localization);
- anemia with a hemoglobin level below 110 g/l;
- hypersensitivity reaction to one of the components of leech secretion;
- abnormally low blood pressure;
- acute inflammatory process in the body;
- chronic fatigue and physical exhaustion;
- pregnancy;
- toxicosis.
The bacterium Aerophonas hydrophilia lives in the intestines of the medicinal leech, which can pose an infectious threat to patients with weakened immune systems.
The leech's intestines contain the bacterium Aerophonas hydrophilia, which plays an important role in the digestion of the annelid. The presence of these bacteria may cause or complicate local or systemic infections, which should be considered before initiating therapy. A fifth of patients may develop infectious complications if they do not receive prophylactic antibiotics. Aeromonas hydrophilia is usually sensitive to second and third generation cephalosporins, Chloramphenicol, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones and Trimethoprim. Penicillins and first-generation cephalosporins are ineffective against this microorganism.
Advantages and disadvantages of hirudotherapy over other types of rejuvenation
One of the main advantages of the method is the absence of significant side effects on the body, as from the use of any chemical or medicinal anti-aging procedures. A bonus to natural rejuvenation are anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating effects, normalization of fat metabolism in problem areas of the face and neck.
The disadvantages include:
- increased risk of bleeding as a result of administration of the blood-thinning enzyme hirudin;
- the possibility of infectious infection, which is important in the case of using not pharmaceutical artificially grown leeches, but worms from the wild.
Provided that basic safety measures are observed, taking into account individual contraindications, a hirudotherapy session is an absolutely reliable procedure.
Myths and reality of hirudotherapy
Most people tend to go to extremes: they either overestimate the expected effect of hirudotherapy, or, on the contrary, deny possible positive changes in facial appearance from the effects of leeches. Below are some of the most popular myths regarding the procedure:
- Any defect or age-related changes in the skin can be eliminated with the help of a course (or several) of hirudotherapy. Such reasoning is incorrect. Many processes and diseases occurring in the body are genetically programmed or caused by a deficiency of certain microelements or other nutrients in the blood. In this case, the action of hirudotherapy alone is simply not enough, and leeches can only be considered as an addition to more radical solutions, for example, plastic surgery.
- Too frequent sessions of hirudotherapy with a large number of leeches can lead to death from blood loss. In fact, it is difficult to accurately determine the maximum number of leeches that could become critical for a patient. Modern hirudotherapists say that you should not use more than 40 leeches in one session if we are talking about large areas on the body. In cosmetology, up to 10 pieces are most often used simultaneously. This amount is completely safe and does not threaten any serious blood loss. As for the optimal number of leeches in one session, expert opinions differ diametrically. Some consider it permissible to use no more than 5-7 leeches at a time, others believe that it is permissible to install up to several dozen worms at the same time. Of course, the second approach is allowed only in specialized hirudotherapy clinics. At home, it is allowed to install no more than 5–7 leeches.
Experts recommend using no more than 5–7 leeches, provided that you independently conduct a hirudotherapy session at home
Hirudotherapy for beauty and health: video
Reviews
I have been undergoing hirudotherapy every year for 5 years now. Every time after this I feel much lighter and younger.
laska35
http://otzovik.com/review_98338.html
If you have completed one course of hirudotherapy, then there is a 99% chance that you will want to repeat these procedures again. Before the first procedure, my veins were shaking, but in practice it turned out that it didn’t hurt at all, there wasn’t even the feeling that someone was crawling on you. The only thing is that I didn’t expect that blood would ooze out in huge quantities and that I wouldn’t get away with just a pad. But as you know, the first damn thing is lumpy. Then the process got better. Another unpleasant moment is wild itching when the wounds begin to heal. It itches so much that you want to climb the wall. Fenistil gel can help with this. To be honest, after these procedures, the skin on my entire body became smooth, and a pleasant feeling of lightness appeared throughout the body; it became easier to wake up in the morning. My husband’s bags under his eyes disappeared and he looked 10 years younger, plus he lost several kilograms after treating his liver and stomach with leeches. I have enrolled several people in hirudotherapy treatment and they are all very happy.
Bellmary
https://otzovik.com/review_690821.html
Many women face the problem of spider veins. They are caused by many reasons: hypertension, heavy physical activity, hormonal disorders, varicose veins, etc. I learned about hirudotherapy or treatment with leeches from lectures in medical school. school. Now this procedure costs 250 rubles. one point. It helps well, but is a bit expensive. So my friend and I decided to buy leeches at the pharmacy and carry out the treatment ourselves. The leeches that are sold in pharmacies are grown under artificial conditions, and they are also sterile. So, we came home and decided to place leeches in the evening; for this we needed water with sugar, tweezers and the leech itself. We lubricate the desired area with sugar syrup and hold the leech with tweezers; as soon as the leech attaches itself, the process of resorption of the star begins; together with the leech’s saliva, biologically active substances enter the bloodstream, which have a beneficial effect on the body. As soon as the leech has sucked blood, it falls off on its own, but ours did not, so we removed it ourselves, the effect is amazing. So I advise anyone who has such problems to contact the clinic and attend a series of hirudotherapy procedures. Self-medication without honey. education, it’s better not to study.
glamour83
https://otzovik.com/review_332932.html
Hirudotherapy is a specific method of rejuvenation, which, for various reasons, is not suitable for everyone. But those who have once tried the magic of these unique creatures on themselves most often resort to these procedures more than once in the future.