Back To USSR: Mesotherapy Of The 80s And Other Beauty Hacks Of Our Mothers From The Point Of View Of A Cosmetologist

In the days of my mother's youth, self-care was reduced to one simple rule: I use what is in the store. And in the early 90s there was nowhere to roam, if it was not about a shelf with semolina. So the beautiful half of humanity had to be chemical technologists, making a promenade in pharmacies and turning oatmeal into a face mask, and calcium chloride into a peeling. My mother also had to - she proudly passed on her beauty hacks to me by inheritance, and the cosmetologist comments on them.

Dimexide + Solcoseryl instead of mesotherapy

This "couple" in the early 90s was a kind of alternative to mesotherms and a "destroyer" of wrinkles. It improves the regeneration of cells and tissues, reduces inflammation, heals microcracks, moisturizes and enhances blood circulation. In this case, Dimexide acts as a biological stimulant for the skin, increasing the functionality of cells. And Solcoseryl does the rest. The scheme is simple. Mix a teaspoon of Dimexidum with ten teaspoons of water. Wash your face thoroughly and apply the resulting solution to your skin with a cotton pad. Let it absorb a little. Apply a thick layer of Solcoseryl.

It is necessary to keep such a mask for at least 4 hours. The face will burn a little and tingle slightly. After the procedure, the skin is soft, velvety, cleaner and healthier. Just do not forget that this beauty hack is not suitable for everyone - with individual drug intolerance, a mask cannot be made. If there are traces of post-acne on the face, Solcoseryl can be replaced with Curiosin.

Expert opinion

Marina Kulbaeva

dermatovenerologist, dermatocosmetologist at the Remedy Lab clinic

- Dimexide in combination with other agents can hardly be called an alternative to mesotherapy. We know that during mesotherapy, all the beneficial components are delivered to the dermis through injections, that is, they penetrate deep into the skin, hence we see a noticeable anti-age effect. Dimexide will only act on the surface. At the same time, it will strongly irritate the dermis, cause increased blood circulation and, as a result, severe redness (especially on sensitive skin). When the redness goes away, the complexion will indeed improve (due to the previously increased circulation), but this is for a short period of time.

Calcium chloride + baby soap instead of peeling

And here is another "couple", according to my mother, capable of creating a miracle on the face. During her youth, this peeling was called "Hollywood". And in terms of effect, it will really give odds to an expensive salon procedure. In the USSR, this peeling, by the way, was used in beauty salons, without telling anyone the recipe. Now it can be easily found on any women's forum.

The principle of operation is simple. Calcium chloride enters into a bond with the potassium and sodium salt of the higher carboxylic acids contained in the soap. Sodium chloride and insoluble calcium salt - reaction products - roll down, capturing dead skin cells. Peeling is done elementary. Apply calcium chloride to your face with a cotton ball. Wait for the drug to be absorbed. Apply one more layer and so on until the ampoule ends. Lather up the baby soap. Apply over Calcium Chloride using a cotton pad, massaging lightly. Then wash it off with warm water.

As in the first case, do not forget to do an allergy test and read the contraindications. They are the same as with conventional peeling: acne in the active phase, herpes, allergies, pregnancy and lactation, excessive dryness, individual intolerance to the components of the drug.

Expert opinion

Marina Kulbaeva

dermatovenerologist, dermatocosmetologist at the Remedy Lab clinic

- Calcium chloride and soap on the surface of the skin cause a special reaction similar to peeling. But we must understand that this is a rather dangerous combination, as a result of which the dermis becomes alkalized, corroding its surface. You could be severely burned and seriously injured. It is not recommended for anyone to repeat such a home procedure. Meanwhile, peels in salons are safe: all ingredients are selected individually, and the beautician controls the procedure.

Baby cream + lipstick

This combination allows you to quickly and easily create a cream blush, if necessary. I've used this hack several times - it's tested, it works. Combine a pea of ​​cream and lipstick in the palm of your hand with a brush. Drive the resulting mass into the cheekbones with your fingers. Done!

By the way, a similar beauty hack was used in the legendary film "Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession". In order for the actress Larisa Eremnina to disguise the bruise on the eyelid, the make-up artist mixed the shadows with the baby cream, obtaining a thick and reliable consistency, overlapping the shade of the hematoma.

Expert opinion

Marina Kulbaeva

dermatovenerologist, dermatocosmetologist at the Remedy Lab clinic

The combination of baby cream and lipstick to create a blush is not dangerous and will not damage the skin. I think that all makeup artists could approve of this recipe, and maybe some use it themselves.

Oatmeal jelly + berries

This drink was forgotten, abandoned. And completely in vain. It helps to normalize the digestive tract, remove toxins, increase immunity, restore intestinal microflora and, with regular use, improve complexion. In the classic version, it is called Izotov's jelly and is made from fermented oats, rolled oats and kefir. Mom slightly modernized and simplified the recipe, while retaining the beneficial properties of the drink.

Pour 300 g of oatmeal into 1 liter of warm water (about 40 degrees). Add a slice of rye bread to the mixture. Close the container and put it in a warm place for two days. Pass the liquid through a sieve and add 1.5 liters of water through it without removing the flakes. Add 200 g of berries to the filtered liquid. Put the mixture on fire and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Drink before every meal. I add honey, a slice of lemon and a little cinnamon to the jelly for piquancy.

Expert opinion

Marina Kulbaeva

dermatovenerologist, dermatocosmetologist at the Remedy Lab clinic

- Great mix! Oatmeal contains fiber, which cleanses the intestines and flushes out toxins. Berries contain a lot of vitamins and a minimum of sugar. In general, such a set of ingredients is beneficial for the whole body, as well as for the skin.

Petroleum jelly + glycerin

Without a jar of baby petroleum jelly, I have not gone outside for a long time - it saves my lips from cracking in winter and loss of moisture in summer. If the skin is completely dry, a mask helps. First, I do a light scrub using sugar and olive oil. Then I apply glycerin, let it soak, and then cover it with cosmetic or baby petroleum jelly. The latter, by the way, perfectly copes with dry skin in the area of ​​elbows and feet, and can also replace the highlighter if necessary, providing a light glow in the cheekbone area.

Expert opinion

Marina Kulbaeva

dermatovenerologist, dermatocosmetologist at the Remedy Lab clinic

- Vaseline and glycerin are good for the skin of the face and lips: they create a protective film, retain moisture. Often a similar combination of products (or just one petroleum jelly) is prescribed by cosmetologists after any procedures, for example, resurfacing, so that the skin does not become dehydrated during the rehabilitation stages.