Our faces give others their first impression of us. Women naturally look for new ways to refresh their look and improve their complexion. Now, beauty spas have attempted to answer that call with some outrageous facial treatments that sound like they might help melt away those frown lines and wrinkles. The ingredients imply they hold a bit of special magic but do they?
1. Snake Venom Facial
Snake venom applied to the skin is thought to give the same muscle relaxing effect as Botox but without the needles. The synthetic snake venom used in the cream is based upon a protein produced by the poisonous temple viper snake from Thailand.
According to Dr. Jessica Wu of ivillage.com, “There is no scientific evidence that rubbing snake venom, or snake oil on the skin can relax facial muscles.” She went on to say that even rubbing Botox on your skin wouldn’t work because it has to penetrate deep into the muscles to get a relaxation effect.
2. Sperm Facial
Spermine (yes from sperm, don’t ask me how they get it) is thought to be a natural and strong antioxidant that will help repair and rejuvenate the skin. It has even been formulated into a product line by a Norwegian company called Skin Science. The creams are mixed with other antioxidants such as vitamin E and C as well as hydration and collagen boosters. Spas use ultrasound and infrared light during the facial to help the spermine concoction penetrate deeper in the skin.
Wu from ivillage wrote that “there is no published research that spermine is responsible for protecting skin cells from UV-related stress.” She did indicate that infrared light can help reduce wrinkles independent of the use any creams.
3. Placenta Facial
A placenta is rich in proteins, iron and other vital nutrients. The placentas used in facials supposedly come voluntarily from Russian maternity wards and are sterilized to prevent bacterial contamination. Similarly to spermine facials, infrared light is used to help with skin penetration.
According to Robin Ashinoff, a clinical associate of dermatology at New York University’s Lagone medical center and reported in CNN.com, "It’s probably the LED that's doing it. LED treatments stimulate the skin to produce collagen, giving it a more youthful appearance.”
Wu of ivillage.com also pointed out a potential precaution regarding use of placenta creams. Placenta creams may have extracts that cause estrogen-like effects; when absorbed into the skin, they may alter hormone balance.
4. Bird Poo Facial:
Bird droppings are collected and treated with UV light to kill any bacteria. A small amount of the “poo” is then pulverized and put into water where it turns into a paste. The paste (which has no bad odor by the way) is applied to the skin. Nightingale bird droppings are the most desired and supposedly are revered by geishas in Japan.
Apparently geishas and kabuki actors used to wear thick lead based makeup that was difficult to remove causing some of them to absorb the lead and develop lead poisoning. Somehow they found that nightingale poo made an excellent cleansing cream to remove their make up.
According to Brian Keller a dermatopharmacologist for Bio Zone Laboratories and reported in CNN.com, "The reason this product may work is the high concentration of urea in the fecal-urine combination in bird feces. Urine has a lot of urea in it and it has long been used as a skin-softening agent,"
The quest for the magic ingredient that will return our skin to its youth seems still unanswered fully with these innovative treatments. Mind you the price of beauty is not cheap, all these facials run $200-$400 a session and I didn’t even cover the 24 carat gold or snail secretion facial!
sources:
www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/homestyle/09/26/bird.poop.facials/index.html
www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/beauty/3365670/Geisha-facial-the-latest-beauty-secret-of-Victoria-Beckham-brought-to-the-masses.html
http://beauty.ivillage.com/slideshow/beauty-style/outrageous-beauty-treatments-the-truth-and-the-alternatives/do_they_really_work.html?nlcid=in%7C03-15-2010%7C
www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1947694,00.html
Michele is an R.N. freelance writer with a special interest in woman’s healthcare and quality of care issues. Other articles by Michele can be read at http://www.helium.com/users/487540/show_articles