Beer, Wine, And Blood
For most of us, a simple back massage gets the job done, but that doesn’t put world-renowned spas on the map. There are a variety of ancient and new-age treatments out there that promise to deliver relaxation, beauty, and pain relief. Personally, we wouldn’t allow snakes to slither across our back, but to each their own.
1. Snake Massage
Imagine lying face down on a massage bed only to be met with the cool, soft touch… of a boa constrictor. Snake massages involve placing large, non-venomous snakes on a person’s body and essentially letting them explore. Apparently, the weight and movements of the snakes are believed to release endorphins and improve blood circulation.
2. Snail Facial
Slightly less fear-inducing than boa constrictors, but odd all the same. For this beauty treatment, live snails take a tour of your face, leaving behind a trail of slime. It’s believed that snail slime can moisturize the skin, stimulate collagen production, and reduce signs of aging.
Krzysztof Niewolny on Unsplash
3. Beer Bath
You’re not actually sitting in a tub of Bud Light. Beer baths start with warm water, which is then infused with hops, malt, and brewer’s yeast. These ingredients are said to have multiple skin and muscle-relaxing benefits, and you get to enjoy a drinkable beer on the side!
4. Fish Pedicure
If your feet are ticklish, you probably shouldn’t try this treatment. Fish pedicures involve placing your feet into tanks of water and allowing small fish, called Garra rufa, to nibble away at your dead skin. This treatment isn’t as popular today as it has posed multiple health risks to customers as well as the fish.
5. Hay Bath
If you’ve ever wanted to be the needle in a haystack, this bath is for you. Snuggle up in a warm box of fermenting hay and allow the herbs to relax, detoxify, and provide some well-needed muscle relief.
6. CBD Massage
Since countries like Canada have legalized the production of marijuana, CBD massages have become quite popular. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in the marijuana plant, and is said to help with sleep, anxiety, and pain relief.
7. Nightingale Facial
Also known as the Geisha Facial, this treatment involves smearing powdered bird droppings over the face. Said to help with skin brightening and moisture retention, the bird droppings go under a tedious sanitization process before being packaged and sold.
8. Cactus Massage
This prickly massage is said to be more relaxing than painful, despite its name. Cactus massages involve removing the needles from the leaves of cacti, heating them in warm water, and then splitting them in half and placing them on your back. The cacti plant is said to be quite close to aloe vera, providing a hydrating and healing effect on the skin.
9. Caviar Facial
This luxurious facial uses sturgeon roe fish eggs to hydrate and brighten the skin and stimulate collagen production. It’s also been said to have excellent anti-aging effects, toning and tightening the skin after use.
10. Leech Therapy
Leeches have been used as medical treatments for millennia, so it makes sense that they’re still offered as a type of physical therapy. Leeches are said to increase blood flow and circulation, prevent blood clots, and treat varicose veins.
11. Chocolate Facial
You might think that putting this sugary treat on your skin would make you break out, but dark chocolate is rich in zinc and magnesium, two minerals that assist in collagen production. Many spas offer chocolate facials and massages around the world, and obviously smells delightful.
12. Hot Sand Bath
This popular practice has its roots in ancient Egyptian culture and is quite popular in Japan today. Essentially, you find yourself covered from the neck down in geothermal-heated sand for 10 to 15 minutes. Similar to a suna, a sand bath is said to detoxify the skin, improve circulation, and provide pain relief for muscles and joints.
13. Synesthesia Treatment
Famed beauty brand Lush offers this multi-sensory spa treatment. This 80-minute massage involves the use of all five senses, tailored entirely to your individual needs.
14. Dans Le Noir Spa
This Paris-based spa operates in complete darkness, as all staff members are blind or visually impaired. Heighten your sense of touch while receiving a massage, facial, or other beauty treatment.
15. Red Wine Baths
Like the beer bath, you’re not actually sitting in a tub of store-bought red wine. These luxury baths include specialized products infused with grape extracts, which are high in antioxidants. This bath is said to help the body fight against free radicals and support skin health.
16. Vampire Facial
If you’ve ever wanted your own plasma on your face, this treatment is for you. Known as one of the most expensive skincare treatments around the world, your very own blood is drawn, the plasma isolated, and microneedled back into your face.
17. Tok Sen Massage
This ancient Thai massage involves tapping a wooden hammer and wedge along your body’s energy lines. While it may sound more like a chiropractic treatment than a form of relaxation, the tok sen massage is said to release tension, improve circulation, and provide pain relief.
18. Light Sound Vibration Treatment (LSV)
This multi-sensory experience uses pulses of light, sound, and physical vibrations to put your brain into a meditative state. The combined effects of the experience are said to assist with brainwave entertainment, help to relax you, improve mood and focus, and even improve blood circulation.
19. Fire & Ice Facial
Sounding like it comes from the Game of Thrones universe, this facial is popular among celebrities looking for a red carpet tune-up. Heat is produced by applying ingredients such as glycolic acid and retinol, and then cooled with a hydrating mask. This facial is said to brighten, smooth, and tighten the skin.
20. Buccal Massage
Massage therapy or a trip to the dentist? A buccal massage targets facial muscles from the inside of your mouth. The massage therapist (wearing gloves) will hit those hard-to-reach areas of your face via your mouth, and is said to relieve jaw tension and headaches, improve circulation greatly, and may even define your facial contours.
