Saline: what are the benefits? See different forms of use

Saline is certainly something that many people have in their homes. It can be used for various purposes, both to assist in certain health issues, as well as for aesthetic care – such as hair or skin.

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What is saline and what is it for?

Saline is an isotonic solution, this means that the concentration of its mineral salts is equal (or almost) to that found in human body fluids or fluids, such as sweat, for example.

In this sense, the serum has a concentration of 0.9% sodium chloride in distilled water. Thus, for every 100mL of the aqueous solution, there is 0.9g of salt.

As for the forms of use, it is very common for saline to be used for intravenous infusions (due to its isotonic potential with blood). More than that, it can also have the function of hygiene of injuries, sterilization, nebulization and even for aesthetic purposes.

This because it can be used, for example, in hair to balance pH, which allows an increase in hydration of the hair and a decrease in frizz .

How to use saline?

In addition to hospital use, for venous infusion of saline, it can also be used in the home for several different purposes.

Among these are care that involves health – as in cases of cough – and also for aesthetic purposes, such as skin or hair. See more about some of these ways and get a better understanding:

For or nose

There are many factors that can cause respiratory irritation: dust, animal hair, climate change, some smells, etc. This is even more common for people who suffer from some conditions like allergic rhinitis.

For this, a tip is to always keep your nose sanitized to avoid these sensitivities and guarantee a breath with comfort and quality.

You can do this cleaning with the use of saline. To do this, just put a small amount (10mL to 20mL) of the product, without being cold, in a syringe.

Then, go to the bathroom and position yourself on the sink in front of the mirror. The ideal is to tilt your head a little forward and apply the serum to each of your nostrils, keep your mouth open during the procedure (so as not to feel too “suffocated” and breathe better).

You need to do this quickly, that is, the liquid should come out of the syringe all at once and not gradually. Once this is done, the result is a clean, mucus-free nose, providing peaceful breathing and reducing irritation.

For nebulization (cough and sinusitis)

Nebulization, or inhalation, is a therapy commonly used to relieve respiratory problems such as asthma or bronchitis . When used in these cases, it usually has the aid of some medication.

However, this procedure can also be done only with saline solution to help in cases of cough or sinusitis – inflammation in the mucous membranes of the sinuses (bone cavities around the nose and eyes).

In these cases, nebulization aims to help eliminate retained mucus, which allows the relief of common symptoms of these problems: discomfort to breathe, pain in the chest or face (sinusitis) and difficulty at bedtime.

You need a specific device to perform the procedure. For this, a maximum of 10mL of saline is used. Just place the solution inside the equipment and inhale the air that comes out of the mask .

Remembering that it is important to seek professional assistance before opting for this care.

Read more: How to treat sinusitis? Which remedies are indicated?

For the skin

Although some people say that saline can help hydrate the skin or even prevent aging, this is not true.

This solution can be used on the dermis without problems. However, for other purposes.

There are two very interesting ways to insert saline into your skincare routine: as a tonic and to make cold compresses on your face.

In the first case, that is, when using the product as a tonic, you can apply it after washing your face with the soap of your choice. It will help to remove any impurities or residues that may have remained on the skin after cleaning.

In addition, this application allows it to prepare the skin to receive hydration.

As for the use of the serum for compresses, just leave the product very cold and soak a cotton wool. So, apply in the dark circles area to reduce swelling and also in areas with redness, providing relief.

If you wish, you can also use saline to rinse your face after washing, instead of using tap water – which is often high in chlorine or other substances that can be harmful to the skin.

Or, put the serum in a spray bottle and apply it to the skin throughout the day to refresh or bring more life to the makeup, such as thermal water .

It is worth mentioning that you can also use saline to clean wounds or bruises on the skin, preferably with the aid of gauze or cotton (moistening well so as not to stick to the wound).

For hair

The saline in the hair can provide many benefits, so it is an excellent alternative for those who want extra care with the wires and without spending a lot.

Among the benefits that this solution can guarantee, there are some such as:

  • Hair pH balance – the saline has a pH of 6, while the hair strands have a pH between 4.2 and 5.8. Therefore, its use can help to balance it and ensure healthier hair, especially after chemical or heat damage;
  • Helps in hydration and increases shine – when we guarantee a balanced pH, consequently the hair cuticles are more closed and as a result the hair keeps hydration for longer, in addition to being shiny;
  • Hair detangles more easily – hydrated hair also detangles more easily and prevents breakage and hair loss;
  • Reduces frizz – the capillary pH balance also helps to reduce the so unwanted frizz , leaving the hair looking healthier.

To use saline on your hair, you can choose to rinse the hair with it instead of shower water. Or, apply to all hair with the help of a spray bottle after washing – you don’t need to rinse and you can use a leave in together.

The result will be a healthier hair, loose and with hydration up to date!

Can you use it on the contact lens?

No . Although some people use saline to clean their eyes and contact lenses, this is not appropriate – except under medical advice in cases of allergy to the cleaning solution usually indicated.

For cleaning and conservation of the lenses, solutions made especially for this purpose should be used. This is because these provide the correct hygiene, with removal of proteins and lipids from the lens, ensuring comfort and safety in use. Some examples are:

  • Renu Fresh Multi-Purpose Solution ;
  • Solution for Bio Soak Contact Lenses ;
  • Renu Sensitive Multipurpose Solution ;
  • Solution for Limp Lent Lenses .

It should be noted that using saline on the lens will not necessarily cause any problem in eye health. However, the serum does not fulfill the function of cleaning solutions, since these completely remove impurities and leave the ideal lens for use.

What are the benefits of saline?

As mentioned in the previous topic, there are many ways to use saline and each has advantages. So, in general, it can be listed as possible benefits of using this substance:

  • It can help in cases of respiratory problems – sinusitis, cough, rhinitis;
  • Helps in hair hydration and hair health;
  • Gently cleanses the skin and reduces bags, dark circles or redness;
  • Can be used to clean the nose – ensuring better breathing and relief of irritations or sensitivities;
  • Cleans wounds and bruises without irritating;
  • It can provide relief to the skin in cases of burns.

So, in addition to being easily found, it is also very versatile and is a very interesting item to have at home. But it is worth remembering that these are complementary care and do not replace other therapies, or even medical assistance when necessary.

Saline is sodium chloride?

According to the information on the saline inserts, it is characterized as a solution based on sodium chloride (NaCl). In this sense, as previously mentioned, the serum has 0.9g of this compound in 100mL of distilled water.

Therefore, it cannot be said that the normal saline is NaCl. However, sodium chloride is, indeed, an essential part and the basis of this solution.

How to store at home?

The care with the storage of the serum is very important, this will ensure that its use is safe and that there is no proliferation of infectious microorganisms (such as bacteria or fungi).

In general, the guideline is to store the product at room temperature , without heat or humidity . However, it is necessary to pay attention to the packaging guidelines.

This is because, in many cases, some serums purchased at a pharmacy for home use may recommend that it be stored in a refrigerator after opening – normally, for a maximum of 3 days .

Price and where to buy

Saline can be found at any pharmacy. But, for those who want more convenience, an excellent option is to purchase the product on online platforms, such as Consulta Remédios .

On this website, you can compare the price of this and other products in different stores in your region. In addition to being practical, it allows you to buy at the best value and delivery takes place directly at your home.

As for the price *, this may suffer some variations depending on the brand and size of the packaging. Check out some of the options:

  • Saline 0.9% ADV – the 250mL package costs between R $ 2.80 and R $ 8;
  • Saline 0.9% Arboretum – the 500mL package costs an average of R $ 4;
  • Needs Saline – the 250mL package costs around R $ 5;
  • Panvel 0.9% Saline – the 240mL package costs around R $ 5.

These are just some of the varieties of brands and sizes, it is also possible to find smaller or larger packages. In addition, it is also possible to find some flavored versions, normally used for cases of dehydration.

Risks and precautions in the use of saline

As with any substance used for medicinal purposes, saline may also pose some risks when used in a hospital environment for intravenous application.

This is because, although beneficial, they have the potential to produce certain problems in the body, such as kidney damage. There are even some studies on possible substances that aim to fulfill the role of serum more adequately, as they are closer to the properties of blood plasma.

Apart from this issue, it is also necessary to be careful with other points such as the product’s expiration date and its proper form. Under these circumstances, saline can cause damage to health, such as:

  • Fever;
  • Chills;
  • Pyrogenic shock – feverish reaction due to agents that increase body temperature (pyrogens) and due to contamination of substances or materials used in the vein;
  • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

It is worth mentioning that it is necessary to avoid using this solution in the eye region, since they are very sensitive areas and, in case of any change in the serum, it can cause severe inflammation. Therefore, it is preferable to always use eye drops and lubricants.

Finally, it is necessary to know that when the serum is injected in people with inadequate water intake, hypernatremia (high concentration of sodium in the blood) can occur. Consequently, this can lead to serious complications such as pulmonary edema , embolism or pneumonia .


Saline is a very versatile product and can be very useful for some care. However, remember to take proper precautions regarding its use and how to store it so as not to suffer from any complications.

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