Points on the face for leeches

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:

1. hirudin, which thins the blood;
2. destabilase, which blocks thrombus formation;
3. hyaluronidase, which enhances metabolism in skin cells and its renewal;
4. aspirase, which prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques;
5. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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:

1. improvement of complexion, including if there is strong pigmentation;
2. treatment of pimples and acne;
3. strengthening skin immunity;
4. getting rid of edema;
5. 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:

1. individual intolerance;
2. hemophilia;
3. anemia;
4. hypotension;
5. decreased blood clotting;
6. pregnancy;
7. critical days;
8. hemorrhagic diathesis;
9. 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:

1. 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.
2. Immediately before the session, drink tea with sugar or something sweet.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Wait until the leech attaches itself. Sometimes this takes a few minutes.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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:

1. 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.

Leeches on the face (hirudotherapy) - an amazing method of rejuvenation

Hirudotherapy (leeches on the face and body) was forgotten at one time, despite the fact that it is an effective and safe way to get rid of many emerging health problems.

Now this procedure is back in trend, and in cosmetology, leeches on the face are used as a productive method of rejuvenation.

Whether they really help against wrinkles is worth understanding in detail.

What are these creatures?

Previously, leeches were found everywhere - in swamps, in reservoirs, and were not a curiosity to anyone.

Today, the number of these creatures has decreased significantly, and not everyone has seen them in their natural form.

Despite the fact that leeches live in the aquatic environment, no one specifically catches them for use for cosmetic purposes, since creatures bred artificially in laboratory conditions are used for this.

Leeches belong to the class of annelids. These representatives have a rounded-elongated body, slightly flattened on the sides.

It is crowned with suckers at both ends: the anterior nipple is equipped with a sucking cavity.

These individuals are extremely voracious. In a hungry state, they weigh no more than 2 grams, and after drinking blood, they increase 10 times.

Is it possible to rejuvenate with leeches?

According to numerous enthusiastic female reviews, leeches on the face for wrinkles and other skin defects really turn out to be effective.

This applies exclusively to medicinal leeches grown artificially. Unlike wild ones, they are sterile. They are used once, which ensures the safety of such a procedure.

Do not try to rejuvenate yourself using leeches caught in a pond. This can cause significant harm to health, since such leeches often cause infection.

For medical purposes, leeches are taken, the species of which is called Hirudo medicinalis. They secrete saliva, which contains special enzymes (hirudin, hyaluronidase, aspirase, etc.).

Hirudotherapy in cosmetology is a new direction, but shows good results:

1. smoothes wrinkles;
2. restores facial turgor;
3. relieves acne;
4. eliminates swelling and irritation of any etiology;
5. discolors pigment spots;
6. normalizes blood microcirculation in the surface layer of the epidermis;
7. renews tissue at the cellular level;
8. enhances protective functions from negative external factors;
9. improves oxygen exchange in the skin layers with deeper penetration.

By sucking, the leech releases saliva into the dermis, along with which multiple beneficial enzymes and biochemical elements penetrate.

Due to this, the blood composition is enriched, metabolic processes are normalized and the body is renewed from the inside.

After hirudotherapy sessions, the skin acquires: a silky and elastic structure, healthy color, elasticity and smoothness.

Leeches on the face help against acne, scars and other external defects. But the main purpose of leeches on the face is to get rid of wrinkles (before and after photos of many women are direct proof of this).

When visually comparing the image before the start of the course of hirudotherapy and upon completion, the transformation for the better is clearly noticeable.

Properties of leeches

According to cosmetologists and doctors, the fundamental benefits of leeches on the face and the minimum of harm are caused by the wide range of healing properties of the salivary secretion of these bloodsuckers. These include:

1. anti-inflammatory;
2. pain reliever;
3. antimicrobial;
4. nutritious;
5. regenerating;
6. antiseptic;
7. anticoagulant.

Hirudotherapy is the best preventive remedy against the manifestation of early signs of aging, somewhat reminiscent of acupuncture.

The use of leeches to restore youth requires a competent approach, so they should only be administered by a specialist.

Achieving the desired result is only possible if you know where to place leeches on the face for wrinkles - these slimy creatures must bite the skin in specific areas.

Hence the conclusion that it is important not only the entry of leech secretion into the blood, but also the reflex effect.

4 existing myths about hirudotherapy

Not all women perceive hirudotherapy sessions as unambiguously positive. The reason for this is the existing myths among the people. These include:

1. Unhygienic use of leeches. You can immediately refute such a statement - in beauty salons they use exclusively sterile material. After use, it is immediately disposed of in the presence of the client so that he does not doubt the disposability of leeches.
2. Causes disgust. Indeed, the procedure does not deliver a particularly pleasant sensation, since not everyone is able to withstand the presence of these slimy creatures on their body. But beauty requires sacrifice, so it’s worth weighing the pros and cons.
3. The procedure is quite painful. In reality, the leech bite is not felt, since they inject saliva containing a natural analgesic under the skin. During the session, slight tingling and burning may occur, but it is not painful.
4. Visible marks remain on the skin. Microscopic wounds and redness are present, but they disappear without a trace in the next 2-3 days.

Despite numerous positive reviews, leeches on the face are not recommended to be applied to amateur hirudotherapists, since sterility is not guaranteed there.

It is advisable to first do a test for a possible allergic reaction - apply one leech and observe the skin reaction afterwards.

Question answer

The temperature does not subside after hirudotherapy. What to do?

Why is blood oozing already for the second day after this procedure?

Is one session enough or is a course required?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this method

No matter how unique the technique is, there are always certain contraindications. To fully evaluate this approach, it is necessary to analyze it from all sides.

The advantages and disadvantages of hirudotherapy are given in the table:

5 contraindications

The restrictive list for the use of hirudotherapy includes some cases:

CONTRAINDICATIONS

1. bearing a child;
2. pathologies associated with decreased blood clotting;
3. anemia, hypotension;
4. cancerous tumors or tumors of unknown etiology;
5. personal intolerance to individual components in the leech secretion.

Where are leeches placed?

Planting leeches on the face requires preparation. The first thing you need to do is visit a doctor in this area to rule out medical contraindications. During the inspection, he will mark the areas where the leeches will attach.

The day before your scheduled session, you should not drink alcoholic beverages or eat strong-smelling foods.

Do not smoke for several hours before hirudoplasty. It is not advisable to use cosmetics with strong fragrances on this day. Leeches are extremely sensitive to strong odors.

That is why the doctor initially cleanses the skin with neutral products. It is necessary to ensure that the specialist performs all actions wearing gloves.

A special syringe is used to transfer the leech to the skin.

The patient is placed in a comfortable lying position, and the specialist begins work. First, the natural material is attached behind the ears, then distributed in stages to other points:

1. on the jaw - right and left;
2. in the area between the eyebrows;
3. along the nasolabial folds;
4. along the contour;
5. on the border area between hair and forehead;
6. in the corners of the eyes.

During the procedure, it is strictly forbidden to tear off the leeches by force - after a maximum of half an hour they fall off on their own.

To remove an individual, touch it with a swab soaked in alcohol. Blood usually comes out of the remaining punctures, but not for long - no more than 20-30 minutes.

A sterile gauze bandage is applied on top, which is removed after 15-20 minutes. Cotton swabs are attached to its place and secured with adhesive tape.

It is advisable not to get up suddenly, but to lie down for a while to avoid dizziness.

The number of sessions in each case is determined by the doctor depending on individual characteristics and the planned result.

If there are no visible signs of aging yet, then 5-6 times will be enough for prevention. Full treatment includes 10 procedures.

A visible transformation is noted after the first 2-3 approaches. But this doesn't mean you can stop. After completing the course, the effect lasts for about six months. It is allowed to repeat no earlier than after 4 months.

Is it possible to carry out the procedure yourself?

Of course, any person is theoretically capable of conducting a session on their own if they first learn the nuances of this rejuvenation.

But most experts will recommend trusting a professional. The fact is that the procedure has many nuances. You need to know where to place the leeches correctly; besides, they are not entirely obedient.

At home, you may not be able to maintain 100 percent sterility. Therefore, the risk of infection increases. It’s better not to take risks, but to go to a clinic for hirudotherapy.

Necessary Precautions

It is mandatory to follow certain safety rules when conducting gyroduplasty sessions:

1. They do not make any effort to detach the leech - once it is satiated, it spontaneously falls off. This usually takes no more than an hour.
2. Do not take any action to stop bleeding from wounds if it lasts less than 2 days. This is a natural phenomenon.
3. The crusts that subsequently form on the skin are not picked, but wait for them to heal naturally. During this time, try to take baths less frequently.
4. Leeches are used only once and then destroyed.

Price per service

How much does a facial rejuvenation session with leeches cost? The price may vary in different medical institutions.

On average, one session will cost 1-1.5 thousand rubles, and the cost of one leech will be about 100-250 rubles.

Expert opinion

Michelle Ellern

practicing cosmetologist-dermatologist

You shouldn’t put leeches unless you really want to, if you’re squeamish. The negative experience you experience does not contribute to achieving the desired result, so there will be no benefit anyway.

Theda Contis

plastic surgeon

After removing leeches, do not scratch the itchy wounds. A jump in body temperature is likely, but this is a normal response of the body - no measures need to be taken.

Reviews

In addition to everything that has been said about leeches on the face for wrinkles, here are some reviews and photos before and after rejuvenation.

MARIA, 45 YEARS OLD:

“Since I am wary of plastic surgery, hirudotherapy seemed like a completely acceptable alternative to me. I don’t have an aversion to leeches, so that wasn’t a problem.

Literally after the third session, I was surprised by the changes that I noticed on my face - the nasolabial folds smoothed out significantly and became less noticeable, the crow's feet under the eyes also practically disappeared.

After completing the course, I became so rejuvenated that my friends stopped recognizing me.”

EKATERINA, 50 YEARS OLD:

“I am familiar with leeches firsthand - I constantly undergo course therapy using them. At first I looked at a photo of where leeches are placed on the face for wrinkles. Armed with the information, I went to the doctor. Now I undergo the procedure regularly.

I usually rest for 5-6 months between courses. This way you can keep your face toned. After these bloodsuckers, the skin smoothes out and the swollen semicircles in the eye area disappear.

Changes occur not only outside, but also from the inside - overall well-being improves significantly. Cosmetologists advise resorting to such therapy at least once a year.”

OLGA, 40 YEARS OLD:

“It was difficult for me to dare to undergo hirudoplasty, because I am afraid of various bugs and spiders, and even more so of worms. The decisive incentive was the feedback from my friends, who really began to look several years younger after such procedures.

It turned out that everything was not so scary - there was a slight tingling sensation from the bloodsuckers, but it was bearable. The unpleasant thing is that after removing them, I wanted to scratch my face for several days.

You just can’t do this, then the itching goes away faster. A week later, when everything had healed, I was surprised by my reflection in the mirror - a blush appeared on my cheeks, my eyes sparkled, my skin became soft and silky.”

Today, many people go for cosmetic procedures that involve placing leeches on their face. With its help you can really achieve an amazing effect, as people’s reviews say.

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:

1. 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;
2. 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;
3. 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:

1. unsatisfactory cosmetic condition of the skin (tired appearance and dull complexion, swelling, the first signs of age and photoaging);
2. deformation of the oval face, double chin, drooping eyelids;
3. early small wrinkles in the eye area, upper lip;
4. spider veins (telangiectasia);
5. 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:

1. scars from acne, post-acne rash (post-acne);
2. acne and pustular diseases;
3. 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:

1. Before applying the leech, the skin is washed with neutral soap and rinsed with sterilized water. Wipe dry.
2. 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.
3. Then the leech is placed in a 5 cm plastic syringe (with the tip previously removed) and inverted over the treatment site.
4. 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:

1. blood clotting disorders (thrombocytopenia, hemophilia);
2. postoperative period, when the risk of bleeding is increased;
3. tumor process of a malignant nature (any localization);
4. anemia with a hemoglobin level below 110 g/l;
5. hypersensitivity reaction to one of the components of leech secretion;
6. abnormally low blood pressure;
7. acute inflammatory process in the body;
8. chronic fatigue and physical exhaustion;
9. pregnancy;
10. 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:

1. increased risk of bleeding as a result of administration of the blood-thinning enzyme hirudin;
2. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.