No Pain, No Gain: Weird Spa Treatments Around the World

Weird spa treatments
©kiuikson - Deposit Photos

Table of Contents

Most of us are willing to spend tons of money and go through anything just to achieve the epitome of beautiful. Some people are willing to be poked, experimented on, chemically burned, and more.

The treatments we do in the United States doesn’t equate to the treatments being done in other countries. Fire, leech, bees, and more are used in some countries to improve the skin.

The real question is: How far would you go to achieve a beautiful, bright, bouncy, and glowing skin? Here are some unusual facial treatments from around the world.

Thai Slap Massage

The saying “Beauty is pain” really applies to this treatment. This Thai treatment originated in Thailand which costs $350 for a 15-minute slapping. There are studies as well which states that repeated face slapping enhances the blood circulation, prevents wrinkles, and relaxes the muscles.

Leech Therapy

This treatment originated from ancient Egypt, and it includes leeches sucking up the blood. You don’t have to worry because medicinal leeches are used in this treatment and their saliva contains enzymes that work as an anticoagulant. Leech therapy is done by placing the medicinal leeches on the skin and enabling them to suck or, more likely, “detoxify” the blood for 20 to 45 minutes at a time.

Bee Sting Facial

This bee sting facial treatment is also known as a natural alternative to Botox. For this treatment, a cream with bee sting venom as the main ingredient is applied to the face. The cream will cause the skin to appear as though it was stung by a bee and will stimulate blood flow, and elasticity. Moreover, it has been acclaimed as the beauty secret of Kate Middleton.

Fire Facial

Fire facial, also known as Huǒ liáo fire treatment, is a popular facial treatment in China. It is done by draping a towel, soaked in alcohol mixed with a beauty elixir, to the face or any parts of the body wherein you want to achieve a clearer and tighter appearance. The towel is then set on fire. Other than treating wrinkles and saggy skin, this treatment is also known to burn fats.

Sheep Placenta

Another treatment done in China is Sheep placenta therapy. This treatment is done by smudging a serum made from the sheep’s afterbirth. It is believed that stem cells can reverse the signs of aging. However, for this to become effective, the placenta needs to be harvested and stored in a specific way.

Geisha Facial

The name may sound interesting but, wait until you know the main ingredient for this facial treatment. This treatment is great for exfoliating your face. Further, Geisha facial a.k.a. Bird Poop Facial uses powdered nightingale droppings as the main ingredient, and rice bran to help with the exfoliation. The powdered droppings are being sanitized with UV rays before being used.

Solid Gold Facial

Lots of celebrities, such as Cameron Diaz, and Nicole Kidman, are a fan of the Solid Gold Facial treatment. This treatment is known for its anti-acne, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties. The price for this treatment may be high, but it promises to give a smooth, plump, and bright skin complexion. It uses a 24-carat gold leaf mask made from gold hyaluronic acid and collagen.

Snail Facial

Way back to ancient Greece, crushed snails, and sour milk were used to treat skin inflammations. Today, snails are still used for the skin, except they aren’t crushed anymore. This treatment involves snails, which are placed all over the face and release a slimy substance containing hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and proteins.

Chocolate Fondue Wrap

The name of the treatment says it all. Yes, chocolate is the main ingredient used for this. But sadly, it’s not meant for eating, instead, you’ll be fully covered in chocolate fondue then wrapped in a soft warm blanket to enhance the effect of the cocoa.

Ramen Noodle Bath

In a south-eastern town in Japan, there is a spa offering a Ramen Noodle Bath. They offer guests the chance to soak in a giant bowl of collagen-rich pork ramen broth and noodles. This treatment is known to improve skin complexion and boost metabolism.

Sake Bath

Another popular treatment in Japan is the Sake Bath. For some Japanese people, Sake is more than just a drink for it contains the amino acid, kojic acid, and enzymes, which brings huge benefits to the skin, such as it helps to whiten, moisturize, and detoxify the skin.

An Oddly Effective and Popular Facial Treatment in the United States: Vampire Facial

Vampire Facial, also known as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injection, is a very popular treatment done in the United States. It recently gained popularity way back 2013 when Kim Kardashian West got the treatment and filmed it.

For this treatment, blood is harvested from your arm and re-injected with a syringe into your face. The blood plasma found from the re-injected blood improves the tone and texture of the skin. The name of the treatment may be odd, but the results are surely amazing.



*Information in this article is not medical advice and may not be factually accurate. It is intended for entertainment purposes only. Consult with a physician before attempting any tips in this blog post and to get the most up to date factual data about any procedure or treatment.