7 of the world’s wackiest beauty treatments

There’s nothing like a good pampering while on holiday, but our idea of a beauty treatment is a lot different to many other parts of the world. While we might focus on nice smells and moisturisers, some beauty treatments from around the world feature some pretty bizarre ingredients and rituals. 

1. Snail facial, Thailand

Snail mucus is said to contain antioxidants, which could theoretically contribute to more youthful-looking skin. So, naturally, there’s a beauty treatment out there where people pay money to have snails applied to their face to slowly crawl around, thus leaving a film of mucus – or as some may think, liquid gold.

2. The geisha facial, USA

You may have heard of this beauty treatment as the bird poo facial. Designed by a celebrity facialist, the secret ingredient is dried nightingale droppings. It’s said the geishas used powdered nightingale droppings to achieve their signature blemish-free skin.

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3. Hay Bath, Italy

There’s a resort hotel in Italy where you can pay them to cover you in hot, fermented hay, in the hope of treating arthritis, sleeping disorders, digestive problems and mental and physical exhaustion. The hay bath station at the hotel has been there since 1903, and they allege that farmers used to sleep in hay while working in the pastures and discovered its benefits.

4. Snake massage, Israel

Originating in Israel and spreading to Russia and Thailand, people are making a living by putting snakes on other people in the name of relaxation. A combination of large and small (non-venomous) snakes are used in the treatment, with the large snakes giving a deep tissue massage and the smaller snakes giving a more feathery tickle. Sounds relaxing.

5. Fish foot spa, Thailand

If you can get over the ick-factor of having tiny, quick, and hungry fish swimming through your toes and nibbling the dead skin off, fish foot spas are actually pretty effective at removing dead skin from your feet. Some places don’t feed the fish in between customers so they’re extra keen to nibble at your feet.

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6. Ewe placenta, USA

Another craze out of the USA is putting sheep placenta all over one’s face. It’s said the stem cells in the placenta reverse the signs of ageing. Give us wrinkles any day.

7. Hot cupping, China

Hot cupping is an ancient Chinese practice that has seen a recent surge in popularity in the Western world. The cups, made from bamboo or glass, are heated up by putting alcohol, herbs or paper in the cups and then lighting them on fire. The burning material is then removed and the cups are then placed on your body, usually your back. This creates a vacuum and draws blood through the skin. Cupping supporters believe it removes toxins from the body.

Would you try any of these beauty treatments? Let us know in the comments below.