If you know me well (or have read any of my curly hair stories), you know that I've been slowly trying to recover from extreme heat damage. What's heat damage? It's basically when heat-styling tools take a toll on your hair, leaving it dry and messing up your natural curl pattern. I don't go near a blow dryer without first applying a heat-protective spray throughout my damp hair, I keep the settings low and I sure as hell don't use flat irons (or even curling irons) anymore. So when I heard that Brazilian supermodel Barbara Fialho has her heir hair burned with open flames (yes BURNED) to make it "healthier," I flipped out. That sounds like BS to me!
Read more ¿Qué más?: The 6 most insane beauty treatments of all time
Barbara claims she can't do the traditional straightening treatments, like the Keratin, that most Brazilian women love to do, because of all the abuse her hair already goes through working as a model. "If I did [straightening treatments] I would lose all my hair! They're very strong," she told Fashionista. So instead she makes sure to get a signature velaterapia (a.k.a hair burning) procedure done whenever she visits her hometown, Sao Paulo. Um, how is burning your hair with an open flame healthier than chemical straighteners?
According to reports, the procedure is done by passing an open flame from a lit candle through hair to burn off split ends. This supposedly helps keep moisture in. How does your hair not fall off doing that? Who knows, but Barbara swears it works. "They burn the hair to get rid of split ends," she explained. "It's unbelievable you don't get shorter hair, but if you touch the treated side it feels so much smoother and healthier!" I'm all for trying out new beauty treatments, but sorry, I think I'm going to pass on this one!
And I wish I could say this was the strangest thing I've heard women do for beauty, but sadly it's not. Here are eight other weird beauty treatments I will never understand!
Embedded content: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFOm6Ste2dw
Image via YouTube
Vagina bleaching
Apparently some women don’t like having a brown vagina, even if the rest of their body does happen to be brown. Weird, I know! A new Indian product called Clean and Dry Intimate Wash is designed specifically to give you a nice, white vag. Seriously, WTF?!
Urine therapy
Yes, it is just as gross as it sounds. This ancient practice of orally consuming one’s urine was used to help heal the body, whether of diseases or to ward off wrinkles. What?! Some locas today even massage 4-day-old urine on their skin and scalp to help condition hair and deeply hydrate their bodies. What the heck is wrong with people?
Vagina "Barbie" surgery
As if women weren’t already completely obsessed with their vaginas, now there’s a plastic surgery out there that will leave yours looking just like Barbie’s. What does that mean exactly? The entire labia minora (the lips of a woman’s vulva) are removed so that the outside of your vag pretty much looks as smooth as a Barbie’s dolls. Now, why would someone think that’s a good idea?
Butt facial
Because apparently getting facials for your face just isn’t enough. Similar to a traditional facial, butt facials cleanses, exfoliates, and moisturizes. They also take it one step further by de-blemishing and massaging your ass to reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Snake massages
In Israel spa gurus like to use non-venomous snakes to help massage their client’s backs. The snake kneading and trembling apparently helps relax muscles and support blood circulation. Right … sounds more like torture to me.
Leech detox treatment
Women have traveled to Austria where private "leech therapy" sessions are performed. You pretty much get naked, shave your body and let leeches suck your blood. This treatment is designed to "detox" your blood and restore youthfulness. Just the thought of this is making me woozy!
Vaginal rejuvenation surgery
Of course there’s a surgery out there designed to make your vagina look and "feel like a virgin" again, because every woman out there is just dying to relive that tight and painful first time experience. Yippy!
Chinese fire treatment
This widely practiced Chinese beauty treatment is used to help relax your muscles and to heal swelling, rashes, aches, or pains. A wet towel is first placed onto the affected area, followed by a sprinkling of alcohol. Then once everything is set the towel is then lit up into flames. Um … how the heck is this relaxing?
