Listopedia: The Bizarre Beauty Treatment Bucket List

From vampire facials to ancient sand burials, the quest for beauty definitely encompasses the weird and wonderful. Here’s the Expedia Listopedia of unusual beauty treatments.

The Vampire Facial – Hollywood, America

One could say that Kim Kardashian is famous for making things famous. From fashion lines to beauty products, she’s been the face of many ventures. Last year a photo posted on her Twitter profile made headlines around the world for its somewhat gruesome nature. The Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment, aka the Vampire Facial, involves drawing blood from the victim, which is then separated into platelets and re-injected into the face.

Ancient Sand Burial – Aswan, Egypt

For hundreds of years people have travelled to Aswan to undergo an ancient sand burial treatment. That’s right, in between the lands of life and death, you can be buried up to your neck in sand. These days, the Pyramisa Isis Island Aswan Resort offers this service in an adult-sized sand pit. The sand is rich in minerals and has restorative properties for sufferers of Rheumatism and Arthritis. Ultraviolet rays and heat from the sun soak into the sand baths, the grey sand pits absorbing more heat than the yellow.

Snake Massage – Jakarta, Indonesia

Forget ping pong shows and tuk tuk rides, if you want a real thrill, book in for a Snake Massage. The Bali Heritage Reflexology and Spa Centre will, for a fee, drape you in snakes for 90 minutes, with the belief that you’ll emerge with soothed skin. We’re willing to bet the knowledge and feel of snakes slithering over your body will cause a wrinkle or two, rather than reduce them. If it’s any comfort, the snakes do have their mouths sticky-taped shut.

Fish Spa Pedicure – Koh Samui, Thailand

Got scaly skin? What better way to rid your legs and feet of unwanted skin than in a bath full of tiny, biting fish? The Thailand Fish Pedicure is an infamous treatment for tourists who have spent too much time walking on the beach. They’re also a bit of a tourist attraction, with many baths in Phuket and Koh Samui sitting in glass front windows so you can watch tiny garra rufa fish nibble away on someone elses feet. As of last year, you can also experience this treatment in Cairns.

Geisha Facial – New York, America

If you’ve ever been to Kyoto and seen a Geisha up close, you’ll know that their white face powder is not conducive to good skin. So what are you to do if you’re forced to wear makeup almost 24/7? Well, as most modern girls know, beauty is pain. Whilst this treatment isn’t exactly painful; it’s just a little um pooey. Copying the ancient beauty trick of the Geisha, Shizuka Spa in New York now offers bird poop facials. Yes, bird poop. Powdered Asian nightingale droppings are used as an exfoliate in the “Geisha Facial”, which will set you back around $180. And no, don’t try this at home. The nightingale droppings have a skin brightening enzyme you probably won’t find in pigeon poo.