I'm well aware of the fact that people are willing to go through any extremes to look their best these days. But this terrifying beauty treatment shown in a photo posted on a Chinese message board last week definitely takes the cake!
The treatment is called Huǒ liá (fire treatment) and it's widely practiced throughout China. It's considered a form of alternative therapy that dates back to the Qing Dynasty (that goes back to 360 B.C.!). I've heard of different kinds of Chinese alternative therapy treatments like fire cupping and acupuncture, but this one seems a whole LOT scarier to me!
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How's it performed? A wet towel is first placed onto the affected area followed by a sprinkling of alcohol. But wait, it gets crazier! Once everything is set, the towel is then lit up into flames. The flame is put out after a few seconds.
According to a site called Chinahealer.com, this method is used to help relax your muscles and to heal swelling, aches, or pains. I'm sorry, but I see absolutely NOTHING relaxing about someone putting one of my body parts on fire! Even if this treatment is effective, just the idea of it is enough to put me in a nervous state of anxiety.
Now why would people get this done? Apparently what makes it so appealing to so many is its quick-acting effects. Like fire cupping and acupuncture, fire treatment is supposed to deliver quick results and promote good health. It has been used on various parts of the body, anywhere from the back, abdomen, feet, head and even on the face including eyes, ears and nose. The woman in the picture above is most likely getting treated for swollen or sore eyes.
I can't tell you whether or not this treatment is truly effective. But you can bet this is something I don't plan on trying!
See how they do it in the video clip below!
Embedded content: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_FX2g2Z-5jM
Image via tt.mop.com
