It’s funny how people seem to get the wildest ideas when it comes to skincare. But as long as it gets them one step closer to the Fountain of Youth, people will literally try anything. Sometimes we can talk some sense into them, but most of the time, all we can do is sit back and enjoy all the crazy stories.
1. Fire Facial
You might always be on the lookout for the hottest trend in skincare, but would you actually set your face on fire to look younger? The Fire Facial, which was first heard of in China, is one facial procedure that will literally light you up so you can look like a 20-something again.
Check out the video below for a sample of what the procedure looks like:
The mere description of this procedure may be disturbing to the uninitiated, but it’s quite common to see facialists practice Huo Liao as it’s called in China.
A “highly-trained therapist” takes a special towel soaked in an “age-defying elixir” which is then placed on top of the person’s face or other preferred body part.
After the therapist sprinkles the towel with alcohol, she then proceeds to light it up. The flame is allowed to do its youth-revitalizing magic for a few seconds before it gets put out slowly and ever so carefully.
Fire is said to stimulate the skin to address dullness, sagging and wrinkles. Beauticians say steaming your face does the exact same thing, so might as well stick to that, eh?
2. Vampire Facial
The vampire facial, or blood facial, calls for a doctor to draw a vial of blood from your arm, which is then centrifuged to separate the plasma from the red blood cells. The platelet-rich plasma is then applied to your face.
The concept behind the vampire facial is to allow the individual’s plasma to work against wrinkles and signs of aging.
There isn’t any sufficient evidence that this procedure works, but hey, it must be worth a bloody shot, right?
But why stop there when you can also have your doctor micro-needle your face before spreading your blood all over? Micro-needling is the process of poking needles all over your face to open pores, allowing the plasma to be absorbed better by the skin.
3. Urine Facial
Since we’re already talking about using your own bodily fluids to keep your skin looking young and fresh, why don’t we add another to the list: urine facials. Yes, we’re talking about pee.
Those who advocate this somewhat dubious procedure say that your own urine is the best toner for you, as “urine is made up of 95% water, and the next highest component concentration is urea,” Neal Schultz, M.D., a New York City dermatologist says.
Urea is deemed to have natural and gentle exfoliators that benefit the skin by scraping away acne and dead skin cells.
Urine-as-facial-cream enthusiasts insist that the body’s naturally-made fluid has not caught up on the beauty industry yet simply because it’s free and no one could make a good business out of that. Sure, that’s exactly why we thought so, too.
4. Snail Facial
Surprisingly, this facial treatment sprouted after Chilean snail farmers who catered to the French market (what is it with the French and their escargot?) noticed that their skin became visibly smoother after handling these slimy creatures.
The snail facial is very popular in Thailand, where people would pay to have snails literally slither all over their face, spreading their skincare goodness.
Other beauty-conscious countries like Japan and Korea quickly caught on, bottling snail filtrate for all to enjoy.
Snail filtrate (or snail slime) is found to be packed with moisture-boosting and age-defying ingredients that any skincare-conscious individual would die to have in their beauty arsenal.
Hyaluronic acid, glycoprotein, proteoglycans and antimicrobial properties are all present in snail filtrate as it naturally protects the snail’s skin from damage, dryness and UV rays. How lucky are they to have their own built-in skincare?
5. Bird Poop Facial
Geishas are known for their meticulous makeup and flawless skin, but did you know that they achieved impressive complexions through a facial cream made with… nightingale poop?
Bird poop is mixed with powdered rice bran allow exfoliation and dead skin cells to fall off and blood to circulate.
As they say, when a bird poops on you, it’s good luck. Might as well slather it on, then?
6. Bee Venom Facial
When news broke that this facial procedure was Kate Middleton’s beauty secret for her glowing wedding day look, you bet people were begging their facialists to stock up on an alarmingly poisonous substance. Facial treatments utilizing bee venom suddenly became all the rage as princess wannabes tried to imitate the Duchess’ fresh and radiant look.
Bee venom treatment claims to rejuvenate the skin, reduce scars, heal acne and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
The toxic substance tricks the skin into thinking that it has just been stung, making it look plumper even with just a single session.
Not to worry, no bees are harmed in the name of extreme beauty. The venom is extracted by placing a small metal plate inside the hive. The metal plate releases a small electrical charge, which threatens the bee, causing it to release its venom. If “natural botox” is the trend you’re going for, then this facial treatment is the bee’s knees.
7. Sheep Placenta Facial
We all know that some of the most bizarre cosmetic procedures more often than not started in Hollywood, but nothing could have braced us for this facial treatment.
To get skin that’s as soft as a baby’s bottom, stars have to think baby-like, think fetal, think… sheep placenta.
It’s frightening to think of placenta in any shape or form adhering to one’s face, but some dermatologists have gone so far to say that the sheep placenta facial is “pretty close to the most perfect treatment.” Longtime users Harry Styles and Victoria Beckham are all the proof you need.
“Sheep’s placenta stem cells mirror human stem cells. It is a protein base that is close to our own cellular make-up so that body is able to absorb and recognize it as its own,” according to skincare expert Louise Deschamps.
All this buzz (or should we say baaa?) from Hollywood has made stem cell skincare all the rage – but do they really work or are we common people just being fleeced?
8. Caviar Facial
To normal folks, caviar is a pricey treat intended to be eaten in tiny, half-bite-sized portions.
But to those with bottomless pockets, caviar is for smearing across the face, in order to obtain its presumably topnotch skincare benefits.
If you think you’ll have to endure smelling like a fish market just to get better skin, then we’re on the same boat. But skincare specialists who advocate for this special facial believe that fish roe combats aging and brightens the skin in an instant. Caviar is said to contain collagen, which revives the skin’s bounciness and acts as a natural moisturizer.
9. Miracle Whip Facial
We hear you, we hear you. All the facial treatments we’ve just mentioned definitely costs an arm or more, what about a weird facial that suits the budget-conscious crowd out there?
Well, look no further than the contents of your fridge for the miracle whip facial.
This treatment is as straightforward and simple as mayonnaise, and with only $12 a bottle, you’re on the road to skin as smooth as the condiment itself. Mayonnaise consists of vinegar, eggs, oil and some spices – some of the regular kitchen ingredients that are sometimes used as homemade beauty treatments. No wonder there are many who swear by the skin benefits of this sandwich ingredient, right?
First, slather on the dressing on your face and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. Second, resist the urge to throw up from the smell. Beautiful skin is to be had, if you just try hard not to let its smell waft through your nose. Third, rub the miracle whip off your face with water and pat dry with a towel. Followers of this skin regimen recommend doing this every night for at least 30 days to see results. The real miracle here is if you can pursue this facial treatment for that long.