The Five Craziest Luxury Facials In The World
Studies have clinically proven that self-care routines help to mitigate, and in some cases eliminate completely, the effects of depression and anxiety as well as reduce stress, induce happiness, and combat burnout, according to Mile High Psychiatry. Experts also agree that one awesome way to partake in self-care is through taking care of your skin, via Byrdie. "Skincare is rewarding because with consistent skincare routines, you are likely to see visible effects such as smoothness or radiance, and that in itself can boost self-esteem, which in turn will boost mood," Dr. Sanam Hafeez, founder of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, told Byrdie.
Facials, especially, help us to unwind and are not only soothing and beneficial for our skin, but for our minds. Facials can address numerous types of skin issues, such as redness, oiliness, dry skin, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, facial veins, and enlarged pores (via the American Academy of Facial Esthetics). They also come in many forms, including: Chemical peels, which are meant to improve the look of your skin via a chemical solution; microdermabrasion, which removes the outer layer of dry dead skin to reveal healthy, younger-looking skin; and laser facials, which often target broken capillaries, scars, pores, and sun damage (via the Kate Somerville Clinic).
Of course, the aforementioned facials don't even scratch the surface when it comes to the luxury skincare celebrities receive.
This luxury facial utilizes honeybee venom
It's no shock that animal products and ingredients are often found in skincare and beauty items. Nowadays, though, some are using animal ingredients as the star in their treatments. This is especially the case with certain luxury facials due to the beneficial properties of said ingredients. The Bee Venom facial is an excellent example. As the name suggests, this facial utilizes bee venom and honey to target wrinkles and decrease signs of aging.
Honey has long been used in facials for both its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it's the bee venom part most people get stuck on. But apparently, there's some scientific credibility to it. In fact, one 2015 study found that bee venom "clinically improved facial wrinkles by decreasing total wrinkle area, total wrinkle count, and average wrinkle depth" (via National Center for Biotechnology Information). Bee venom also provides a skin-lifting effect by stimulating collagen and elastin production, which tightens the skin, according to Glamour. Some celebrities who love this facial include Kate Middleton, Gwyneth Paltrow, and the Kardashians.
Precious gems aren't just for your jewelry
You may or may not have heard of the coveted HD Diamond and Ruby facial, which was created by Scott-Vincent Borba, an American celebrity esthetician who founded e.l.f. Cosmetics, according to Glamour. This facial, which as you probably already guessed uses real diamonds and rubies, is one of the most expensive on the market. In fact, "That 70s Show" actress Mila Kunis reportedly paid $7,000 to get the treatment done, not once but twice, according to Forbes.
The facial, which is mostly administered in the form of a peel, works by applying the precious gems to the face, neck, décolleté, arms, and hands. The rubies carry antioxidant properties, which protect the skin from oxidative damage caused by free radicals, according to Kielhs, while the diamonds give the skin a topical shimmering sheen. Clients also suck on an ice cube through the entire treatment, which Borba says reduced puffiness, according to Glamour.
Some other high-end clients, who tend to seek this treatment before popular awards ceremonies, include Ashley Green and Annalynne McCord, per Beautylish.
This treatment can get... bloody
The "vampire facial" is probably one of the most famous luxury facials thanks to a viral photo of Kim Kardashian with blood all over her face. Soon after the image surfaced around the world, everyone was intrigued by the vampire facial. So what is it, exactly? Two things go into the vampire facial: Microneedling and platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
Microneedling is a procedure that targets signs of aging and stimulates collagen production, and is generally conducted with a roller or device with small needles that prick your skin, via Healthline. PRP is a bit more complex, but essentially, it consists of extracting blood from the client. The blood then undergoes a process in a centrifuge that separates the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from the red blood cells, according to Healthline. In the vampire facial, the microneedling is combined with the PRP to basically trick the client's body to heal and repair itself faster. This treatment can also successfully treat scars, sun spots caused by UV damage, fine lines, and large pores, according to Glamour.
The treatment may set you back around $750 per session, but depends on your provider and location, per Healthline.
This facial works on a cellular level
Another popular facial amongst the world's A-listers (think: Kim Kardashian, Victoria Beckham, and Harry Styles) is the sheep placenta facial. The treatment, which is offered at Dr. Harold Lancer's dermatology practice in Beverly Hills, is apparently "super hydrating and nourishing," according to skincare expert Louise Deschamps (via Hollywood Reporter). "It's a favorite for the female celebrities for that perfectly plump skin and pre-event glow. For guys, it's a go-to treatment because it leaves them looking fresh and refreshed," Deschamps added.
This 90-minute treatment throws the spotlight on sheep placenta stem cells, which have a cellular make-up so similar to our own that it basically "mirrors human stem cells," according to the creator of the facial (via Glamour). Because the body almost immediately recognizes the sheep placenta cells as its own, it is then able to quickly absorb it. Some of the benefits of sheep placenta include boosting skin's immunity and combatting inflammation. There is also no downtime between treatments, and "no chemically negative skin reaction to the product," Deschamps told Hollywood Reporter. "It's actually pretty close to the most perfect treatment."
The facial, which starts at around $500, begins with an application of a skin polish and extractions (if needed). The client then receives an oxygen infusion with vitamin water, before the sheep placenta mask is applied. Clients may also sit under an LED light for about ten minutes to enhance the absorption process, per Hollywood Reporter.