Many of us are willing to try just about anything in the name of beauty, but how far would you go? We’ve been exploring the world’s craziest and most unusual facial treatments.
Bee Venom Mask
The bee venom facial mask is hyped up to be the natural alternative to Botox. It contains a bee venom ingredient that promises to immediately lift, tighten and firm facial muscles.
Celebrity following: Kate Middleton, Kylie Minogue
Fire Facial
This is a popular treatment in China, which is used to stimulate cell regeneration and add a youthful glow to someone’s complexion. Towels are soaked in a ‘special elixir’ and applied to the skin, before being set on fire for a few seconds. Ouch.
Snail Secretion Skin Cream
You may not have even realised, but there are a number of beauty products that contain snail serum! Also known by its technical name Helix Aspersa Müller Glycoconjugates (we can’t say it either), this natural ingredient is gathered pure from live snails. Its powerful biological properties are said to help relieve skin conditions, reduce wrinkles and improve dull complexions.
Celebrity following: Katie Holmes, Naomie Harris
Vampire Facelift
This is a more recent, and out-there anti-aging treatment in which a few tubes of your own blood are drawn and re-injected into the areas on your face that need plumping. Not for the faint-hearted, the theory behind this procedure is that by drawing blood, it separates the platelets and sparks the production of collagen and elastin, giving a more youthful glow to the skin.
Celebrity following: Kim Kardashian, Tiger Woods
Bird Poop Facial
Image: Nigel Voaden
This infamous Geisha facial is considered a luxury treatment in Japan. Nightingale droppings would be used by Japanese Geishas to take off their heavy makeup and restore luster to their cheeks. Nowadays, salons offer a similar facial, but the droppings are sanitised before they make contact with your skin.
Celebrity following: David Beckham, Victoria Beckham
Sheep Placenta Facial
This anti-aging treatment involves sheep-derived lotions, a mask and red-light therapy. This facial stimulates cell growth using stem cells from New Zealand sheep.
Celebrity following: Victoria Beckham, Simon Cowell
Urine Facial
Image: Hotel Costa Calero – Talaso & Spa
It seems an odd thing to put on your face, or anywhere else come to think of it… but urine supposedly clears up psoriasis, eczema and acne. The medical community has yet to confirm any benefits of this facial, but it is still offered around the globe.
Celebrity following: Vanessa Williams
Snake Venom Facial
This particular facial has been snapped up by celebrities, looking for a sting without the bite. Said to have wrinkle-busting qualities, the snake venom gently stings the skin, which sends signals to the nerves to produce chemicals to relax and strengthen the facial muscles.
Celebrity following: Gwyneth Paltrow, Kylie Minogue
