We live in an age obsessed with beauty; from spray tans and eyelash extensions to Botox and laser hair removal. We are not the first era to try unique ways to to fit the standards of beauty. Throughout history, many methods have been used, some quite dangerous. Below are some of the most fascinating and strange beauty techniques through the ages.
Urine
In ancient Rome, urine was used in face masks to create a natural-looking glow as well as make skin soft and smooth. It was also used as a tooth whitener. It was so effective in whitening teeth and preventing cavities that it was used in many mouthwashes until the 18th century.
Crocodile Excrement
Apparently, urine was not the only waste product used in beauty. In Greece and Egypt, women would purchase tubs of crocodile excrement and use it as a face mask. Cleopatra even included it in the book she wrote about beauty.
Guanine
Guanine, a compound found in nightingale feces, has been used since ancient times by Japanese Geishas and in Kabuki theatre to cleanse and rejuvenate the skin. The excrement was turned into a powder and then rubbed all over the face, creating a porcelain look when removed. Many high-end day spas in Japan will still use this technique today to soften and brighten skin.
Clay
Porcelain white skin was a beauty trend for thousands of years. During the Golden Age of Spain, women would eat clay in attempts to whiten their complexion. It did the trick, but also caused other problems such as anemia and chlorosis.
Arsenic
During the renaissance, women would create a mixture of quicklime and arsenic to remove hair. They would boil the concoction and pour it onto their legs, wiping it off just before the skin started to peel off. Naturally this caused all sorts of problems such as irritations, burns and arsenic poisoning.
Tapeworm
At the turn of the 20th century, a new diet pill was introduced. Women would swallow tapeworms in the form of a pill – allowing the parasites to grow to maturity inside the intestines and consume the food that the women would eat. It did effectively work as a weight loss program, however, it also caused diarrhoea, vomiting, eye problems, epilepsy and dementia.
Vacuum Helmets
In the 1940’s, vacuum helmets were introduced as a way to improve your complexion. Often called “Glamour Bonnets” the helmets would reduce air pressure around a woman’s head, apparently stimulating blood circulation.
Slapping Treatments
In Thailand, you can pay about $350 to receive a face slapping massage from a licensed professional. The slapping supposedly tightens facial fat and rids the face of wrinkles. The procedure also works on breasts and bottoms to shape those areas.
