How amazing would it be if we all had flawless complexion, with no wrinkles and breakouts? Sadly, that's not the case, and some people are willing to go to the extreme to solve their skin issues. Maybe you've tried everything to get rid of hyperpigmentation or those fine lines, so why not go for something bizarre? Heck, is there anything to lose? Stay tuned, and read about our top ten list picks for the most disturbing and weirdest beauty treatments.
10. Caviar Facial
Do you enjoy eating expensive meals like caviar? So, how would you feel about spreading fish eggs on your face? Upon hearing of such treatment, we must admit it sounds a bit gross at first. In fact, this facial consists of a mix of caviar, a massage, and marine extracts meant to cleanse, lightly exfoliate and promote collagen production.
Caviar eggs contain peptides and essential amino acids, and as such, can regenerate and improve mature and acne-prone skin. After cleansing and exfoliation, an esthetician will wrap the caviar eggs in gauze and apply them to your skin. The material keeps them in place while the oils inside are squeezed through a massage. The next step is to apply a mask of marine extracts, which should work in the skin's deepest layers. At the end of the process, an esthetician will apply a hydrating cream on your face. Fun fact: You won't feel the fishy smell at all throughout the treatment!
9. Friendly Snails
Is there anything that women won't do for glowing skin? Apparently not, as this facial that launched in Japan has grown more and more in popularity. If you have the patience and money, you can let snails glide over your face for up to 60 minutes. First of all, a cosmetician will cleanse your skin, tone it, and then let these creatures crawl over it! Snail mucus is filled with proteins and antioxidants, which will help moisturize and soothe inflammation and remove dead skin cells.
Also, it can be very beneficial in treating pigmentation after acne scars and burns. However, snail facial isn't FDA-approved in the US, where it's performed by just massaging the face with mucus without leaving the animal on your skin. If you're not a big fan of letting something alive slather all over your face, just buy a product containing this truly amazing ingredient.
8. Thai Face-Slap
A slap in the face had negative connotations throughout human history, as it's associated with starting a fight or an insult. But one of the few licensed practitioners of the Thai face-slap facials, Tata, claims it increases circulation, diminishes wrinkles, and shrinks pores. Additionally, she says that this "massage" will relax the muscles and open energy lines, known as "Sen" in Thai medicine.
Tata also claims that the pain during this facial technique is equivalent to an ant bite. However, many dermatologists warn about this practice because it can be particularly problematic for people dealing with sensitive skin. It's kind of obvious that a slap here and there in the face would increase blood flow, but is it really necessary to achieve that effect? So, would you pay around $350 for someone to slap you?
7. Leech Therapy
It all started in ancient Egypt, where they used leeches to treat many illnesses and conditions. Nowadays, we use them in plastic and other microsurgeries, as their secretions contain peptides and proteins that help prevent blood clots. In cosmetics, leeches have become popular because they can help preserve soft tissue and promote healing after facial reconstructive surgery.
This treatment's benefits could also help persons who deal with baldness and hair loss in the scalp. Still, some people can feel disturbed to imagine leeches crawling and sucking their blood. However, research shows that this treatment can cure many skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, and acne. How about you? Would you ever try this facial?
6. Vampire Facial
In 2013 Kim Kardashian introduced this treatment to wide masses when she shared it through her Instagram post. It's called the vampire facial because of how your skin looks during it, as you'll end up covered in blood. But what is exactly and how the doctors perform it? It's actually a combination of microdermabrasion and PRP that will rejuvenate your skin. The whole process will start with venipuncture, a blood draw that is relatively painless because of numbing cream. A doctor will then run it through a centrifuge to isolate the platelets from it and do a micro-needling or microdermabrasion.
Finally, your own PRP will be splattered all over your face. In short, your blood will increase the levels of collagen and elastin on your skin. The ideal candidates for this facial are people struggling with premature wrinkles, sun damage, or anyone who wants to refresh their face. However, if you're dealing with blood illnesses, including clotting or bleeding disorders, it's best to avoid it.
5. The Bee Sting Effect
Have you ever heard of the bee venom facial? Duchess of Cambridge and many other A-list celebs swear by this treatment that supposedly leaves your skin dewy and fresh. The whole science behind it is that the bee venom and honey tighten your skin by tricking your body that it's been stung. But how does a professional actually do this treatment? First of all, an esthetician will cleanse your face and apply an exfoliator to remove all dirt and toxins.
The bee venom mask will then be applied to trigger the healing process, thus creating a collagen synthesis. After a couple of minutes, you'll get a second coat of it, which will create a stronger burning reaction. Finally, an esthetician will wrap your face in gauze and leave it in it for 15 minutes. According to some clinical trials, this treatment is beneficial for the skin as it can diminish wrinkles and sun damage and give an overall youthful glow. However, if you're allergic to bees or honey, this isn't an option you should consider.
4. Urine Facial
Some people drink pee, and others use it to look better! This bizarre facial can't be done at a salon, so you'll have all the commodity doing it from your home. Its origins come from ancient Eastern tradition, where people believed that the body's natural antibodies released from urine can heal many ailments. Urotherapy consists of collecting your urine, dabbing it on a cloth or a cotton pad, and wiping it over your face. Yeah, it sounds crazy! Why would anyone want to try it?
Supposedly, this action clears the complexion, tightens pores, and treats conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and acne. Those who practice it claim that urea and uric acid from your pee does wonders for the skin. However, many dermatologists aren't convinced and warn us against this treatment because it could cause reactions. What are your thoughts on the urine facial? Do you believe it can be effective and worth the try? We'll it label it as misconception.
3. Bird Poop Facial
This practice dates back centuries in Japan, where Geishas used it to brighten, refresh, and gently exfoliate their complexion. In recent times, the trend spread over to Western countries, and now you can see your favorite celebrities promoting it. Is that fact enough to encourage you to try it? And, how does a bird poop end up in beauty salons and on our faces?
We use the droppings of a Japanese nightingale, and then sanitize it under UV light and mill it into a powder. When mixed with water and massaged into our face, it can potentially have great benefits. This excrement contains urea, guanine, and amino acid, which are all great natural ingredients for the skin. Surely, there are other ways to include them into your skincare routine, so is it really necessary to get this facial? We'll let you be the judge of it! Users describe the effects as similar to a light chemical peel, but without the irritation that comes with it.
2. Penis Facial
Celebrities just love their extreme beauty facials, don't they? In 2018, Sandra Bullock admitted to practicing one of them, called penis facial. Well, it sounds delightful, doesn't it? No, this isn't some popularly advertised name that is out of touch with reality. Epidermal growth factors are derived from newborns' foreskins in Korea, and they're supposed to improve skin texture, rejuvenate it, and fight discoloration.
What can you expect from this treatment, and how is it performed? Firstly a cosmetician will give you a chemical peel to prepare the skin and then do a micro-needling for better product absorption. What comes next is a calming mask, and finally, an EGF serum. It's worth noting that the facial is quite expensive, with prices no less than $650. If you're not feeling that adventurous, or you'd like to save some money, you could always opt for a cream that contains these ingredients.
1. Fiery Beauty
Have you heard about the term "playing with fire?" Well, this beauty treatment, originated from China, took it all the way, as you'll literally have a burning towel over you. But how does this procedure look like, and what is it good for? Well, an esthetician will put an alcohol-soaked towel and a mysterious elixir over your face or any other body part and then light it on fire!
In short, this action supposedly fights dullness, sagging, and wrinkles on the skin. Also, it could help battling colds and weight loss. However, how is it possible that this treatment doesn't burn your face?! Well, a cosmetician will allow the burning towel to stay lit for only a couple of seconds and then extinguish it with another cloth.
In the end, before you decide on some of these treatments, visit a doctor that'll probably give you advice on what's best for your skin. Don't rush and investigate where the best salons are.
Share your thoughts about the top ten weirdest treatments, and would you try them? Which one sounds the most disturbing to you? Write to us in the comments.
Cover photo by: Polina Tankilevitch/Pexels