Why You Shouldn't Use Snail Mucin for Your Scars  |  Biodermis.com Biodermis

Why You Shouldn't Use Snail Mucin for Your Scars | Biodermis.com

Snail mucin is the slimy, sticky excretion emitted by snails to help them glide seamlessly across the landscapes and rest effortlessly on the sides of buildings and rocks. Scientific studies show that this mucus-like substance is jam-packed with nutrients and other ingredients that may have practical benefits for humans. Once used by ancient cultures, snail mucin is now making a comeback as a base in many skin-care and cosmeceutical products. The science isn’t clear, but that doesn’t stop many people from using mucin-based products to help reduce the inflammation and discoloration of their scars. While snail mucin may not hurt your skin, there are much better products that you can use to help reduce scarring.

Continue reading to learn more about the skin-related benefits of snail mucin and what you can use instead to help clear away your scars.

The benefits of snail mucin for the skin 
The slime produced by snails isn’t quite what is being used as an ingredient in skincare products. The mucin is first concentrated and then goes through a purification process to remove any germs or bacteria. Just like with any other skin-related cosmetic, it must be biocompatible (safe) for use by humans. The snail mucin is usually obtained from snails grown in a farm or laboratory setting. The final product is an odorless slime that is clear or white in color. Many of the snail-related beauty products that have made their way to the U.S. are often mass-produced in South Korea.

What manufacturers claim their snail products can do isn’t really much different from the supposed benefits of many other products on the market. Snail mucin is touted by experts as a great hydrator for the skin that helps improve skin texture, tone, hyperpigmentation, and scars. In addition to these effects, snail slime also has anti-aging properties that can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Snail mucin can be found in products such as face masks, creams, lotions, and skin repair serums. Some specialists have even taken to implementing the slime in therapeutic facials and micro-needling sessions. Patients around the world go so far as to have live snails crawl and excrete slime on their faces.

The main ingredients of snail mucin that make it an attractive skincare product are hyaluronic acid, certain enzymes, and antimicrobial peptides. Some of these components may seem like effective agents that marketers use to influence the skincare market. However, to date, there is very little clinical evidence that snail mucin is a good option for use on the skin. For this reason, most patients and customers are using these products at their own risk. And when it comes to post-operative scar care, snail mucin shouldn’t be your first treatment option.


Clinically-proven silicone gel for scars
Medical-grade silicone gel for scars has been the gold standard for scar care experts for over thirty years. Surgeons and dermatologists trust topical silicone because it is backed by countless clinical and scientific studies. Silicone operates simply and effectively through dermal hydration and collagen regulation. During the scarring phase of wound healing, much moisture is lost through transepidermal. This causes skin cells to work overtime to create more collagen at the scar site. The excess collagen often builds up on the surface of the skin and can lead to keloids and hypertrophic scar formations. To counteract this effect, topical silicone can be used to trap in moisture and normalize the collagen production in the skin. This helps to flatten and reduce the discoloration of abnormal scar types.

Silicone products in the form of sheets, sticks, and ointments can be attained through your physician or online. You can explore these and many other options at biodermis.com


Biodermis is an innovative market leader with 30 years of expertise in the medical silicone industry. Visit Biodermis.com today to explore a complete range of scar management and post-operative care solutions.
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